Assam: Aaranyak Distributes 55 Bee Boxes to Mitigate HEC and Support Livelihoods in Udalguri and Baksa Districts

Guwahati: To offset the losses they have incurred due to burgeoning human-elephant conflict (HEC) situation that is detrimental to both elephants and communities in parts of Assam, region’s premier biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak has provided 55 bee boxes across Udalguri and Baksa districts in the last two months as livelihood support to some HEC –affected families.

 “Of the total 55 boxes, 25 contained active bee colonies which were provided to the Manas Sousi Khonkhor Ecotourism Society in Baksa, and two other families in Udalguri,” said Dr Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, a senior conservation scientist in Aaranyak and head of its Elephant Research and Conservation Division.

“Thirty more bee boxes were provided without active colonies to five families in Baksa and Udalguri districts, including those who had received the active colonies,” Dr Lahkar added.

Aaranyak official Didom Daimari provided practical demonstrations on capturing queen bees and maintaining bee colonies, ensuring the communities have the knowledge required to manage it effectively.

This initiative is supported by SBI Foundation to reduce HEC in the high HEC-affected districts of Baksa, Tamulpur and Udalguri districts.

Providing bee boxes as a livelihood support empowers communities with income generated from honey production. This reduces their dependence on crops that attract wild elephants, minimising the conflict while facilitating economic benefits and coexistence.

Aaranyak team, comprising Rabiya Daimari, Abhijit Saikia, Mondeep Basumatari, Jaugashar Basumatary, Bikash Tossa, Pradip Barman and intern Abhilasha Boruah actively engaged with local communities for this initiative, stated a press release.

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