Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change and Village Guards, CL John, has expressed deep concern over the escalating human-elephant conflict in Nagaland, terming it a growing burden for the department.
Speaking at a consultative meeting on Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation held at Hammock Resort in Wokha on June 6, the Minister assured that concerted efforts are being made to find lasting solutions.
On the subject of relocating elephants, the Minister stated that it was not a feasible option due to the sheer size of the animals and the department’s limited resources. He emphasized that the department is approaching the issue with seriousness and is considering alternative methods, such as birth control for elephants.
John also stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of forest guards, noting that the department is facing a major manpower shortage. Out of 300 sanctioned posts, nearly 160 to 170 are currently vacant. He assured that additional guards would be deployed in the Bhandari region to help mitigate the situation.
Acknowledging the complexity of the issue, the Minister said any resolution must take into account the land shared by both humans and elephants. He also recognized the importance of conservation efforts, particularly regarding Amur falcons, and lauded Wokha’s ongoing efforts in protecting the species. He appealed to citizens to adopt a responsible attitude toward wildlife and environmental preservation.
MLA and Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, shared his perspective, highlighting the realities faced by communities affected by elephant incursions. He noted that Wokha currently hosts the highest number of elephants in Nagaland, with an estimated 200 elephants making the district their permanent habitat. He added that 89 villages across the district are directly impacted by elephant movement.
In his own constituency comprising 21 villages, residents have long suffered from crop damage, destruction of plantations and property, and persistent fear. He raised concern over the inadequacy of compensation provided to affected families, many of whom have not received any financial assistance despite repeated losses.
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Yanthan underscored the importance of awareness and education in addressing the conflict. He noted that retaliatory attitudes toward wildlife are often rooted in fear and a lack of understanding.
“People fear wildlife because they lack the knowledge or skills to deal with it,” he said. He advocated for community education, sensitisation on wildlife behaviour, and the deployment of trained personnel to carry out monitoring, awareness campaigns, and early warning systems.
Yanthan further raised the issue of insufficient institutional support in affected areas and stressed the need for an enhanced presence of frontline staff and wildlife experts in these regions. He recommended that more personnel be deployed to carry out not only monitoring activities but also awareness programmes, community training, and the establishment of early warning systems to mitigate conflicts.
To improve the situation, Yanthan proposed establishing a streamlined mechanism to ensure timely and adequate compensation for those affected by elephant-related damages or tragedies. He called for enhanced field presence, increased staffing, and the introduction of structured outreach programmes. He also expressed strong support for the proposal to convert the Doyang Forest Division into a Wildlife Division, describing it as a significant step toward better wildlife management.
Advisor to the Chief Minister, Dr. Chumben Murry, expressed alarm over the sharp rise in the elephant population in Wokha over the past decade.
“This is the third time I am standing in this very hall, attending a meeting on the issue of human-elephant conflict,” he said, adding, “On each occasion, it has been a highly valuable learning experience. Today, especially with the insights shared by Dr. Rudraditya, we have learned more about the complexities surrounding this issue, with his 30 years of experience in this field.”
Citing data shared during the meeting, Dr. Murry stated that Wokha had around 60 elephants in 2009–10, a number that surged to 150–180 by 2017 and approximately 200 by 2023—an over 200% increase in just ten years.
“This population boom is not just a concern for wildlife authorities but for the community at large, as it brings immense pressure on both human settlements and agricultural activities,” he said.
“The elephant population, especially in Wokha district, has become critically significant—not in a positive sense, but due to the risks and pressures it poses,” Dr. Murry stated. He explained that elephants, which typically travel in herds, extend their territorial reach when dispersed across various terrains, increasing the overlap between their natural habitats and human settlements.
A key solution discussed was the introduction of contraceptive measures. He said, “Considering that nearly 200 of the 400 elephants in the region are tuskers—male elephants—the reproductive potential is high,” adding, “Unchecked, the population could continue to grow exponentially. The contraceptive method, if implemented effectively, could be a necessary step in controlling this population boom.”
MLA Achumbemo Kikon raised concerns about the district’s ability to sustain such a large elephant population, suggesting that the region cannot support over 200 elephants. He proposed the relocation of around 180 elephants as a long-term solution to ease the pressure on Wokha’s land and resources. “The pressure on the region is immense, and farmers are bearing the brunt,” Kikon lamented.
“Despite working tirelessly, their crops are often destroyed just before harvest by elephant incursions,” he said.
Kikon highlighted the urgent need for a strategic response, taking into account both population pressures and geographical limitations. He supported the idea of relocation as a potential solution, though he cautioned that it must be carefully planned and executed.
He also expressed concern over environmental degradation, urging local authorities to address the unchecked release of septic tank waste into rivers. “Untreated waste from Kohima and Wokha is being carried downstream to the Doyang area, leading to serious environmental consequences,” Kikon warned.
MLA YM Humtsoe shared accounts of elephants entering new territories like Wokha village, and urged for a humane approach. “Blaming the elephants will not solve the problem. They are simply looking for food and survival,” he said, noting the animals’ intelligence and ability to understand human gestures.
He advocated for a compassionate and collective approach to resolving the conflict and called on all sectors of society to cooperate. “With consistent departmental efforts and increased public awareness, we can find a long-term and sustainable solution to the human-elephant conflict,” he concluded.
Deputy Commissioner of Wokha and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Vineet Kumar, reiterated that the conflict is not merely an environmental concern but a community issue. “This isn’t just for the authorities to solve; it needs the participation of the public,” he said. He gave a brief overview of reported incidents and relief measures taken, stressing the need for inclusive, amicable solutions.
Vedpal Singh, IFS, in his opening remarks, explained the ecological and behavioural aspects of elephants. He noted that elephants, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, have inefficient digestion and must travel long distances for food. He stated that Nagaland is home to approximately 440 elephants, with about 200 residing in Wokha, Mokokchung, and Zunheboto districts.
Since 2018, 15 elephants and five human lives have been lost to the conflict. Singh highlighted ongoing mitigation methods, including physical barriers like trenches and solar fencing, electronic monitoring through e-Eye systems, and innovative approaches like bee hive fencing. Strategies such as contraceptives, alternative livelihoods, and compensation schemes are under consideration, pending a Supreme Court decision.
He also mentioned the preparation of mitigation plans submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC), along with a partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) on the “Grain for Grain” scheme.
Funding received under Project Elephant includes Rs. 1.5 lakh for a regional action plan and Rs. 80 lakh for a study by the Wildlife Institute of India.
However, Singh flagged challenges including insufficient funds, staff shortages (with half the forest guard posts vacant), delays in recruitment, and lack of urgency among local authorities. He stressed that the success of any mitigation effort ultimately depends on human intervention and cooperation. “The single most important component in any plan is human involvement,” he concluded.
Speaking for affected villages, John Murry highlighted the growing presence of leopards in mid-range areas like Chuti and Longtsung, which has disrupted the daily lives of villagers. He appealed for urgent departmental support to address these emerging threats.
Other village representatives also voiced concerns over increasing destruction caused by elephant movement.
Earlier, in his welcome address, DFO Suman WM Sivachar acknowledged the widespread impact of the conflict, including economic, emotional, and cultural losses. “This is a pressing issue in Wokha. Many villages have faced repeated damages and threats to safety,” he said.
Sivachar urged for inclusive dialogue, especially from affected communities, to help arrive at viable solutions. “Let this not be just another meeting, but a step toward peaceful coexistence,” he remarked.
Zuthunglo Patton, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (STC), Nagaland, shared updates on the Forest and Biodiversity Management (KfW) Project in the Himalayas, emphasizing long-term conservation strategies. Rishi Basumatary, Research Associate at the Wildlife Institute of India, presented data from ongoing research into the conflict. The meeting also featured expert insights from Dr. Rudraditya, a wildlife expert with over three decades of experience in managing human-wildlife conflicts.
Senior officials including E. Mhonbemo Patton, IA&AS, Principal Secretary for Environment, Forests & Climate Change, and Dharmendra Prakash, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, also attended the meeting, along with representatives from other relevant departments.
The meeting was chaired by Dharmendra Prakash, IFS, while E. Mhonbemo Patton delivered the concluding remarks. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Tokaho Kinimi, IFS, Wildlife Warden of Dimapur Wildlife Division, who thanked all stakeholders for their active participation and commitment to resolving the issue.
