Premier biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak with support under the CSR initiative of LIC Housing Finance Limited (LIC HFL), has installed 10 solar street lights across several villages-Rangapani, Kukurbhukia, Paharpur, No. 1 Sikaridanga, No. 2 Sikaridanga, Angrajuli, Jamuguri, and Kuchubil—located under the Udalguri and Mazbat blocks of Udalguri district of Assam. These villages fall within areas that are highly vulnerable to Human–Elephant Conflict (HEC), where frequent elephant movements during night hours pose serious risks to the safety, livelihood and well-being of local communities. The installation of solar street lights is aimed at improving night-time visibility in strategic locations such as village entry points, common pathways (for animals and people), community junctions, and areas with recurring elephant movement. Adequate lighting helps villagers identify elephant presence early from a safe distance, take precautionary measures and avoid sudden encounters. It also enhances overall community preparedness and contributes to reducing fear and uncertainty that often arise during the night in HEC-prone zones. Since the lights operate on solar energy, they provide a sustainable and environment-friendly solution without adding burden to local electricity infrastructure. The intervention is also in sync with the Government of India’s climate change mitigation strategy through promotion of renewable energy.
