OUR CONSERVATION DRIVE
Electronic Fencing in Kaziranga
Electric fencing villages near Kaziranga benefits people and animals
Kaziranga (Assam), September 16, 2009: A number of villages in the fringes of Kaziranga National Park in the northeast Indian state of Assam, reported a six-fold increase in annual crop yield, this year. An electric fence installed with the aim to reduce crop depredation by wild animals, as well as human-animal conflicts, had served its purpose.
The fence was installed in December 2008 as part of the Rapid Action Project (RAP) implemented by the Assam Forest Department, local Eco-Development Committees and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), with the support of Asian Adventures and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Six villages – Lukhrakhonia, Mohpara, Doomjan, Sildubi, Kohora – 1 and Kohora -2, in Golaghat district were covered in this RAP.
“The mustard yield this year was about 2500 quintals from 250 hectares, as compared to less than 500 quintals from 142 hectares, last year. Likewise, the villagers reported that the paddy yield increased to about 30,000 quintals from a measly 5000 quintals last year,” said Dilip Deori, Field Officer, WTI.
The RAP supported installation of 15 km stretch of electric fence in these villages, affected by crop depredation by elephants, rhinos and wild buffaloes among other animals from the national park. Repeated intense crop damage had disrupted the main source of livelihood of the locals, threatening to prompt retaliatory attacks on the animals.
“It was essential to create this barrier for the welfare of the people as well as the animals. However, the fence will be removed during floods in order to facilitate escape of animals from within the park to higher grounds,” Deori added. “Most areas have two-strand fencing, while specific conflict-prone areas, for eg certain sections in Sildubi, have three-strand fencing.”
The operation and maintenance of the fence is carried out by the local villagers. Locals have also been engaged to periodically check the functioning of the fence, which has had an added advantage of checking illegal activities within the protected area.
Oriental Bird Club
Oriental Bird Club
Asian Adventures have kindly chosen to be a Corporate Sponsor of the Oriental Bird Club (OBC).
* The Oriental Bird Club aims to:
* Promote an interest in birds of the Oriental Region and their conservation
* Liaise with and promote the work of existing regional organisations
* Collate and publish material on Oriental birds – partly through two highly acclaimed OBC publications, namely BirdingASIA bulletin and the Forktail journal as well as by other external publications where OBC have made financial contributions
Also, through the generous support of members and corporate sponsors, and now including Asian Adventures, the OBC conservation fund has been able to support over 250 projects in many oriental countries, primarily run by local people. More than £200,000 has been invested in conservation in the region since 1984.
Other Organizations Asian Adventures supports:
- Wildlife Trust of India
- Chintan (Environmental Research and Action Group)
- Titli Trust, Nature Science Initiative, Red Panda Network
Clean The Himalayas Drive
Asian Adventures – The Experiential Travel Specialists join hands with Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group for the conservation initiative of Zero Waste Pangot – A drive towards cleaning the Himalayan regions of India more information is on Clean The Himalayas