Elephant habitation survey conducted by Aranyak in Meghalaya

GUWAHATI: Aaranyak, one of the leading research-based biodiversity conservation organizations in India, is conducting a survey of elephant poaching in Meghalaya which is expected to reduce human-elephant conflict as well as conservation. will provide effective ways to increase
Dedicated to reducing the growing human-elephant conflict in Northeast India, the organization has completed the first phase of surveys in West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, Southwest Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills, South has taken. West Khasi Hills, East West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi Districts of Meghalaya.
The survey is being conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration with the Department of Forests and Environment, Meghalaya.
United States Service.
“Meghalaya has the highest density of elephants in the country. The latest census of elephants in Meghalaya was conducted from 26-3-2017 to 29-3-2017 using the dung decomposition method. According to the census, Meghalaya There are 1,754 elephants,” according to the official website of the Department of Forests and Environment, Meghalaya.
The current survey is analyzing the distribution of elephants in the state. Genetic analysis of dung samples will be done at the Wildlife Genetics Laboratory in Aaranyak, whose team will also estimate elephants using various scientific methods in Meghalaya’s Balpakram National Park. Following the survey, Aaranyak will use various methods to reduce human-elephant conflict in the state,” said Abhijit Bourah, senior researcher at Aaranyak, who is leading the survey team.

Many of Aaranyak’s researchers and field staff are involved in this critical survey, including Rubel Tanti, another senior researcher, and field investigators Rupam Goyari, Pradeep Barman, and Dibakar Nayak.
Using occupancy models, conservation interventions can be guided by where and why a species occurs, as well as rare and endangered wildlife status. In this region of elephants’ highly fragmented distribution, little quantitative research has previously been conducted on elephants and their habitats. Through occupancy surveys, critical habitat interventions can be guided, which are linked to human-elephant conflict.
Elephants, tame jumbos, forests and savannas contribute to ecosystem life and human well-being. Elephants are key ecosystem engineers. In dense forests, they create paths that allow other animals to pass through.

Aaranyak is also working with the Meghalaya Forest Department to help understand the socio-economic status, nature and extent of forest dependence of families living in the forest fringes of the latter three landscapes, i.e., Narpuh, Nongkhyllem and Balphakram. Study supported by the department.
The study, nearing completion, will provide key background and information on communities living in forest fringe villages and appropriate planning to reduce their over-dependence on natural resources for long-term sustainable development. Sustainable and green livelihood measures can be planned for temporary forests. Protecting and mitigating the effects of climate change in the near future.
Additionally, Aaranyak is also assisting the department in carrying out extensive camera trapping in some key areas with resources, manpower, technical and scientific expertise to monitor various key wildlife species.