Leading biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, with support from the SBI Foundation (SBIF), has introduced community-based solutions to strengthen livelihoods while promoting peaceful coexistence between people and elephants in human–elephant conflict (HEC)-affected areas of Assam.
As part of the initiative, Aaranyak distributed 20 bee boxes with live colonies to community members in No. 3 Bholatar, No. 2 Bamunjuli and No. 1 Tankibasti villages in Udalguri district. The programme aims to provide alternative and supplementary livelihood options for families facing repeated crop losses due to frequent elephant movement.
In these villages, most households depend on paddy cultivation. However, recurring crop damage caused by elephants has made farming increasingly risky and economically unsustainable. Recognising this challenge, Aaranyak introduced beekeeping as a nature-based solution that also serves as an effective human–elephant conflict mitigation measure through the potential use of bee-hive fencing around agricultural fields.
Under the programme, 10 bee boxes were distributed in No. 3 Bholatar, while No. 1 Tankibasti and No. 2 Bamunjuli received five boxes each. Beneficiaries were provided with bee boxes along with live colonies, enabling them to adopt beekeeping and, if required, use the boxes as part of bee-hive fencing.
Beekeeping offers a dual benefit in conflict-prone landscapes by generating additional income through honey and other bee products, while active bee colonies help deter elephants from entering crop fields, particularly at night, thereby reducing the risk of conflict.
The initiative was facilitated by the Aaranyak team comprising Abhijit Saikia, Jaugashar Basumatary and Pradip Barman.