Guwahati, Aug 12: Assam has launched a special mobile app called ‘Haati App’ aimed at curbing conflict between man and beast that has over the years resulted in humans losing lives and pachyderms being electrocuted.
This special app was launched by the power department of Assam and will include
An awareness drive aimed at preventing the electrocution of wild elephants through illegal power connections, announced power minister Nandita Garlosa during the launch at Guwahati on Saturday.
This initiative is targeted at grassroots communities in Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) hotspots, where residents sometimes resort to using illegal power connections in fences to protect themselves and their properties from wild elephant attacks.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘HaatiApp’ mobile application and a solar fence manual, Garlosa emphasised that while elephants are revered in Assam, the fear for life and property has driven some people to adopt dangerous measures.
Assam has one of the highest numbers of wild elephants followed by neighbouring Meghalaya- particularly the Garo Hills region and dozens of herds migrate between the two states and even Bangladesh. The conflict rate is highest during the lean dry season when the pachyderms move out of their habitat in search of food. This leads to a direct collision with humans leading to deaths on both sides, with the beasts at the receiving end from electrocution.
The minister assured that the power department would actively engage with communities in HEC-affected areas to raise awareness about the risks and legal implications of using illegal electric connections.
Garlosa expressed confidence that both the ‘HaatiApp’ and the handbook would significantly contribute to mitigating HEC.
Developed by the biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, the ‘HaatiApp’ (elephant app) is designed to serve as an early warning system, alerting communities to the presence of wild elephants near human settlements.
The app also includes an ex gratia application form, allowing victims of elephant depredation to submit claims for compensation directly to the respective forest divisions, with Aaranyak assisting in the process.
