Tamulpur (Assam), 19 September (HS): The Tamulpur district administration has launched a comprehensive public awareness campaign to prevent human-elephant conflict and ensure the safety of both people and wild elephants.

Under the message “Let us ensure a safe Tamulpur and promote coexistence,” residents have been urged to protect elephant habitats and movement corridors and remain alert to potential electrical hazards.

The administration has advised people against entering forest areas or elephant corridors for hunting, collecting firewood or grazing cattle, and warned them not to provoke, chase or disturb elephants. People have also been advised to avoid travelling alone in elephant movement areas, particularly at night, early morning and evening, and to move in groups whenever possible.

Residents have been cautioned against approaching elephants to take photographs or videos. The administration also urged people to exercise caution while using fire, bright lights or noise in areas where elephants are present and not attempt to drive them away with firecrackers or loud music.

The administration stressed the need to identify and immediately address potential electrical hazards, including power lines, poles and transformers, along elephant movement routes. It also called for more active and scientific monitoring in the Kumarikata Range and regular inspection of dangerous electrical connections along elephant corridors.

A strict warning has been issued against installing or using illegal electric fencing, exposed power lines or hazardous electrical connections in elephant movement areas. According to the administration, such arrangements pose a serious threat to both human and elephant lives and are punishable under law.

In case an injured or dead elephant is found, people have been urged not to gather around it or touch the carcass and to inform the Forest Department or district administration instead of attempting to investigate suspicious circumstances themselves. The administration also stressed the need for transparent reporting on post-mortem examinations, forensic sample collection and the causes of elephant deaths.

The district administration said public vigilance, timely reporting and coordinated efforts by the concerned departments could help reduce accidents arising from human-elephant conflict and ensure the safety of both humans and wild elephants. It also sought active cooperation from local residents in protecting elephant habitats, forest areas and elephant corridors.

For emergency assistance, residents have been asked to contact the Tamulpur district administration helpline at 93878 93394.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash