Agartala, May 23 (UNI) The Tripura government has decided to build a dedicated safe corridor for wild elephants along National Highway 8 at Teliamura in Khowai district to ensure safe housing of jumbos in Atharamura hill range up to Baramura, which is expected to be completed by next winter.
The Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma said the villages along Atharamura foothills have been facing problems with the wild elephant for the last many years. The elephant herds often ransacked the agricultural fields, houses, and rural infrastructure while looking for food.
A few untoward incidents also happened in Kalyanpur, Krishnapur, and Mungiakami area, the minister underlined, and said, “The forest department always tries to look at the incidents in sympathetic consideration for both villagers and the elephants as well. Because of a shortage of food inside the forest, elephants ravage human habitation; villagers grow agriculture for their livelihood, but elephants destroy them.”
Considering all aspects, the government has decided to build a corridor up to the buffer zone, and it is a fact, if elephants get adequate food inside, they will not come out to the village, Debbarma said. As per the plan, the corridor, located on the Assam-Agartala national highway, aims to reduce human-elephant conflict.
Tripura has an estimated population of around 40 elephants. The elephants are primarily found in the Khowai, Dhalai, and Gomati districts. To mitigate encounters between humans and wildlife, the forest department is adopting a blend of traditional methods, modern surveillance, and community participation.
“The safe corridor along NH8 is currently under development. We have informed the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) about our plan for the elephants, and they have agreed to collaborate. The project is likely to be completed by the end of the year,” Debbarma pointed out.
In addition to this initiative, the minister shared plans to upgrade Sepahijala Zoo to world-class standards. He noted recent positive developments, including the successful birth of three tiger cubs, as evidence of improved infrastructure and environment at the zoo.
“This proves that Sepahijala Zoo has significantly enhanced its standards and created a conducive habitat for wildlife. More developmental works are in the pipeline to further improve the zoo,” he added.
Addressing the broader issue of biodiversity, Debbarma underscored the importance of ecological balance and human survival. “Without trees, there is no life. If our ecological and biological diversity is disturbed, survival becomes impossible. We must undertake a large-scale tree plantation drive and adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle to secure oxygen and water resources,” Debbarma added.
He also emphasized the urgent need to address human encroachment into wildlife habitats. “Conflicts arise when humans consume resources meant for wildlife or encroach upon their land. We must stop these practices and restore balance between human development and nature,” he concluded.
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