App Alerts Villagers of Elephant Herds in Assam

In Assam, India, a significant initiative has been introduced to address the escalating conflict between humans and elephants, which has resulted in numerous fatalities. The state government, in collaboration with the conservation group Aaranyak, has launched the “Haati App” or “Elephant App.” This mobile application aims to alert villagers of approaching elephant herds, a measure designed to prevent potentially deadly encounters. Between 2017 and 2022, conflicts in Assam reportedly led to over 200 elephant deaths and 400 human fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. The root causes of these conflicts are attributed to a combination of population growth and poverty, which have driven humans to encroach upon the elephants' natural habitats. Assam is home to more than 5,000 wild elephants, making it the second-highest state in India for elephant population, following Kerala. The overall population of Asian elephants is dwindling, with fewer than 50,000 remaining globally, and they are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). On World Elephant Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the cultural significance of elephants in India and reaffirmed the government's commitment to preserving their habitats. He noted that, despite the challenges, elephant populations have shown signs of recovery in recent years. However, the ongoing loss of habitat due to deforestation and agricultural expansion remains a critical concern, with Asian elephants having lost nearly two-thirds of their habitat over the past centuries. Researchers indicate that the habitat loss for Asian elephants has been extensive, with over 3.3 million square kilometers of land eroded since 1700. This alarming trend underscores the need for sustainable solutions to balance human development and wildlife conservation in the region.