State to restore 7 jumbo corridors in north Bengal
Times of India | 13 January 2025
Kolkata: Within days of CM Mamata Banerjee expressing concern over rising man-elephant conflict in Bengal, a meeting was convened by senior forest officials on Friday to assess and expedite the process of restoring elephant corridors in the state.
The forest department has identified seven corridors in north Bengal that will be reclaimed for unimpeded elephant movement. While the Reti-Dumchi-Jaldapara corridor was initially identified for the pilot project, the Dalsingpara tea garden-Rangamati reserve forest corridor near Buxa will also be part of the project, said a senior official.
In 2023, the elephant cell of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) identified 26 jumbo corridors in Bengal, including 15 in north Bengal and the rest in south Bengal.
Bhaskar JV, chief conservator of forests (wildlife north), indicated that the project had been conceived a year ago and the department was currently exploring funding options.
"In these corridors, we are determined that we won't permit any infrastructure development. Stretches spanning 5km or more with width of 300-400m will remain encroachment-free so that elephants can use them and avoid human habitation zones. Two corridors under the pilot project encompass eight tea gardens. Since we have decided to replace tea plantations here with mixed vegetation that jumbos prefer, we might need to undertake a compensation project. We are in talks with both the state and Centre regarding the funding," he said.
The forest department has initially opted to utilise solar-powered fencing on both sides of the corridors to discourage jumbos from venturing into human habitats. "However, in the long term, these fencings will be removed," Bhaskar added.
State forest minister Birbaha Hansda said the aim was to restore the traditional paths of elephants that they use to traverse between forest patches. "We will urge locals not to construct houses or any other establishments along these corridors," she added.
Aritra Kshettry, national head of elephant conservation at WWF-India, said: "This is a great initiative. If elephants resume using these corridors completely again, the department will have a precise understanding of their movement and location. This will, consequently, help them mitigate conflict along these routes."
A crucial corridor in the region, Apalchand to Gorumara, is virtually impaired as constructions have emerged along the route.
However, the Mahananda-Kolabari-Tukriajhar corridor, that jumbos had ceased using due to power fencing on Nepal border, is back in use as the fencings have either been damaged or stolen, said a source.
Bengal is home to approximately 700 elephants, of which more than 500 are in north Bengal.