10 July,2026 08:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
The move follows a rise in elephants entering villages and farms, causing damage and safety risks. Pic/By Special arrangement
WITH incidents of human-elephant conflict rising across Maharashtra, the State Forest Department has launched a comprehensive action plan that includes dedicated Elephant Task Forces, GPS radio collaring of conflict-prone herds, real-time village alert systems, and specialised elephant camps.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) M Srinivasa Reddy has directed the forest circles of Kolhapur, Chandrapur, Nagpur, and Gadchiroli to implement the measures on priority, marking a shift towards a scientific and coordinated approach to managing conflict between elephants and people.
The move follows a rise in elephants entering villages and agricultural fields, causing crop damage, property loss, and risks to both human lives and elephant conservation. The strategy has been prepared in line with the Union government's 2023 guidelines on human-elephant coexistence and aims to improve preparedness and enhance safety.
Each affected forest circle will set up dedicated Elephant Task Forces comprising trained forest officers, frontline staff, veterinarians, rescue personnel, and local support teams. The teams will respond to conflict situations, coordinate rescue operations, and strengthen preparedness in elephant-prone areas.
Officials will also undergo specialised training at the Chandrapur and Kundal Forest Academies. The programme will cover elephant behaviour, tranquilisation protocols, mock drills, and crowd management during rescue operations.
The forest department is expanding the use of technology to monitor elephant movement. The Gadchiroli Forest Circle has been provided with two GPS radio collars to track a conflict-prone elephant herd.
In collaboration with WWF-India, SAGE, and Farmers for Forests, the department will analyse movement data and issue advance alerts to vulnerable villages through WhatsApp, SMS, and public address systems, enabling residents to take precautionary measures.
Specialised Elephant Camps are being developed at Kolhapur and Kamalapur in Gadchiroli district to strengthen long-term preparedness. The facilities will support temporary housing of elephants, veterinary treatment, and rescue operations.
A forest department official told mid-day that, "The department has directed field officers to submit monthly Action Taken Reports, with the first report due at the end of July, to monitor the implementation of the conflict mitigation strategy."
"Human-elephant conflict cannot be addressed through reactive measures alone. Scientific monitoring, early warning systems, and community participation are essential for ensuring the safety of both people and elephants. The forest department's focus on GPS tracking and coordinated response is a positive step towards long-term coexistence," says Sagnik Sengupta, co-founder of NGO Stripes and Green Earth Foundation.
