GUWAHATI: In a positive development, Assam's elephant population has risen and the number has gone up to 5,828. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Assam Forest Department recently completed the 2024 elephant population estimation in the state.
In a post on social media platform X, CM Sarma stated, " The @assamforest recently carried out the elephant population estimation in Assam 2024. Carried out after 7 years, the number of elephants has increased from 5,719 to 5,828. " He also praised the Forest Department's efforts in elephant conservation. The survey was conducted after a gap of seven years.
According to data from the Assam Forest Department, the elephant population in Assam was 5,246 in 2002, and it grew to 5,281 by 2008. In 2011, the elephant population in Assam was 5,620.
In October 2024, a wild elephant was discovered dead in a paddy field in the Goroimari area of Assam's Biswanath district. Locals found the carcass of a wild tusker in the field and promptly notified forest officials and the police.
On December 29, Assam took a major step towards addressing human-wildlife conflict by establishing anti-depredation squads in several districts. These squads are designed to safeguard both humans and animals, especially during conflicts caused by wildlife encroaching on human habitats.
The Forest Range Officer of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary stated that the initiative involves local villagers, particularly farmers, who are directly engaged in protecting their farmland from wild animals from the sanctuary.
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