Solar fences facilitate uninterrupted education at schools in HEC-hit areas

Guwahati: The daily lives of ordinary people are severely disrupted when Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) occurs in a particular geographical area. In such a situation, the education of children from affected areas becomes one of the worst casualties.

Giving priority to education for children from those HEC hotspots, Aaranyak, with the consent of the respective local administration, school management committees, and cooperation from local communities, has installed solar-powered fences around eight such schools in the state so far to facilitate regular education for children, notwithstanding the HEC hurdle.

“The physical existence of this school for imparting regular education for its over 90 students wouldn’t have been possible but for the 400-meter-long solar-powered fence that has been installed around it by the NGO Aaranyak as wild elephants roam around the institution even in daytime and caused damage to the school on several occasions in the past,” said Rupkanta Duarah Head Teacher of Kalioni Bagan L P School at Bokial in Golaghat district of Assam.

Forty-eight Lower Primary students, 38 students at the Anganbadi centre on the school premises, and 15 pre-primary level students would have had nowhere to attend classes had the school not been protected from wild elephants by the solar fence installed on August 27, 2022, the Aaranyak said in a release. Wild elephants emerge from their resting place in a forest area within the Gutibari Tea Estate, located nearby, and proceed to the Kalioni River, which flows along the western side of the school. As soon as the elephants appear during school hours, we switch on the solar fence’s energy station to keep the elephants off the school premises and continue with the classes,” the Head Teacher said.

Premier biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, while implementing its community-centric HEC mitigation strategy in various affected areas across the state, has encountered several government-run schools where imparting education has become nearly impossible due to the ongoing HEC situation.

Five such solar-fenced schools, located in the Bhergaon Development Block of the Udalguri district, have been lauded by the NITI Aayog in its report on a regional workshop on “Improving the Education KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in Aspirational Districts and Blocks.”

The NITI Aayog, in its report, has mentioned, “Aaranyak NGO, with support from the State Bank of India Foundation, introduced an innovative solution: a solar-powered electric fence around five schools under the Bhergaon Development Block.” This eco-friendly fence emits a mild electric pulse, harmlessly deterring elephants while ensuring safety. Powered by solar energy, it is a sustainable and cost-effective measure that balances human and wildlife needs.

Thalung L P School at Kalikhola in the Udalguri district of Assam was damaged by wild elephants on several occasions until Aaranyak installed a 180-meter-long solar-powered fence around it on September 19, 2024, to facilitate uninterrupted education for its 30 students, including 14 girls.

“A part of the school building that was damaged by wild elephants long ago has remained unrestored to date,” said teacher Harilal Sarkar, adding that wild elephants have not been able to force their way into the school premises since the installation of the fence.

Such stretches of solar powered fence installed by Aaranyak have become lifelines for Bhumi L P School at Khairabari Block in Udalguri district with 30 students including 13 girls; No.2 Bholatar Dara Chuba L P School under Khairabari Block in Udalguri district with 63 students including 25 girls; No.331 Nonke Sonajuli L P School at Sonajuli Village at Kalikhola in Udalguri district; No. 2 L P School at Teenali Division of Budlapara Tea Estate in Udalguri district with 54 students; No. 2 Tankibasti L P School, Udalguri district with 40 students and Kashibari Kochpara L P School with 24 students including 13 girls in Goalpara district. (ANI)

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