Project Gajah Kotha Launched in Assam

"Project Gajah Kotha" is a campaign launched in Assam aimed at mitigating the steadily escalating human-elephant conflict (HEC) and promoting coexistence. Initiated by the NGO Aaranyak, the British Asian Trust and Assam Forest Department, supported by Darwin Initiative, the project has involved more than 1200 people and primarily focuses on educating the inhabitants of HEC-affected villages in eastern Assam about elephant behaviors, ecology, and cultural significance. The campaign has thus far covered several venues in Majuli, with Aaranyak partnering with local organizations to involve community members and foster dialogue on effective means of promoting peaceful coexistence with wildlife. With Assam housing the second-largest number of Asiatic elephants in India, initiatives like Gajah Kotha are crucial.

Important Points to remember:

  1. Project Gajah Kotha aims to resolve the rising problem of human-elephant conflict and promote coexistence.
  2. The campaign is led by Aaranyak, a Guwahati-based wildlife NGO, in collaboration with the British Asian Trust and Assam Forest Department.
  3. It primarily focuses on educating the villagers in HEC affected villages in eastern Assam about elephants' behavior, ecology, and significance.
  4. Assam is home to nearly 5000 Asiatic elephants, second only to Karnataka in India, underlining the urgency for sustainable coexistence efforts.
  5. The Chief Minister of Assam is Himanta Biswa Sarma.