Wildlife Research and Conservation Society

From January 15th to 17th, 2025, a three-day training workshop on simple measures to protect crops from elephants was held for Range Forest Officers and Forest Watchers of the Kerala Forest Department from Wayanad. The workshop was organized with initiative of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests from Kerala Forest Department, Mr. Justin Mohan, and took place at Kulgi Nature Camp and Phansoli EDC Hall. Thirty-two forest staff members participated for the training workshop. The primary goal of the workshop was to equip participants with practical, community-based solutions to mitigate human-elephant conflicts.

 

​On the first day, WRCS Director, Mr. Jayant Kulkarni, along with the WRCS team, provided a comprehensive orientation on Community-Based Conflict Management (CBCM). The session was attended by Mr. Prashanth, DCF Haliyal; Mr. Ravikiran, RFO Phansoli; and Mr. Sagar, RFO Kulgi.

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On the second day participants visited CBCM villages, including Somapur, Addigera, and Domgera, to learn about various crop protection measures such as early alert systems, chili-based deterrents, bee-hive fences, and bio-fencing. They interacted with farmers practicing CBCM, namely Mr. Hanmant Naik and Mr. Appegowda in Somapur, Mr. Janu Bichhukle in Addigera, and Mr. Manjunath Kamrekar in Domgera. These farmers shared their experiences on how CBCM techniques have been effective in safeguarding their crops from elephant damage.

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On the third day an engaging interactive session was held where participants demonstrated the techniques they had learned during the workshop and took part in a quiz competition. The attendees expressed their satisfaction in acquiring new methods for protecting crops from elephants.