Tripura plans underpasses to ease elephant-human conflict

Agartala: Tripura govt is taking steps to mitigate rising human-elephant conflicts by seeking support from the ministry of railways and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for constructing underpasses in areas where elephant corridors intersect, particularly in the Atharamura hill range.Forest minister Animesh Debbarma shared the initiative during a Wildlife Week gathering, emphasising its aim to reduce conflict and safeguard elephant movement. He highlighted the historical significance of the corridor, which once extended to Chittagong in Bangladesh, offering a vast, uninterrupted forest for elephants to roam freely.Debbarma expressed concern over the impact of barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border, which has severely restricted elephant movement.

“As a result, these magnificent creatures are confined to smaller territories, leading them to wander into human settlements in search of food. This often results in destruction and tension,” he said.He added that the expansion of railway lines and national highways through forested areas has fragmented elephant habitats, impeding their ability to move between ranges. “Constructing the proposed underpasses would provide safer passage for elephants and significantly reduce human-wildlife conflicts,” he added.

To complement this effort, Debbarma proposed enhancing food sources within forest areas to discourage elephants from entering villages. The state plans to undertake large-scale planting of banana trees and bamboo to provide reliable fodder for the herds.Reaffirming Tripura’s commitment to conservation, Debbarma noted that the state is home to over 100 wildlife species, all vital to maintaining ecological balance.