Guwahati (Assam) [India], March 6 (HBTV): One of the country's foremost biodiversity conservation organisations Aaranyak and the British Asian Trust, with support from the Darwin Initiative conducted a workshop about the pepper Bhut Jolokia as well as crop infestation in Sadiya, Tinsukia district of Assam as an alternative crop to reduce human-elephant conflict. 

The initiative aimed at supplementing the livelihood of people who have been affected by the burgeoning human-elephant conflict in eastern Assam. 

Bhut jolokia is a pepper that is native to Northeast India, particularly Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland. 

According to a press statement from Aaranyak, "Human-elephant conflict in Tinsukia often arises due to the shrinkage of elephant habitats.       

‘The clash results in damage to crops and property, posing risks to both humans and elephants. Multifaceted efforts are required to mitigate this conflict and ensure coexistence through measures like elephant corridors, habitat protection and restoration, awareness programs, implementation of alternative crops, seasonal solar fences to protect crops, solar fences to protect people's lives and properties etc.,’ Aaranyak stated. 

The training was conducted in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra Tinsukia. Subject matter expert Dr Sarodee Boruah imparted knowledge to 19 villagers from four nearby villages, focusing mainly on pest control management on March 1.

Aaranyak is actively working to mitigate the human-elephant conflict in northeast India and Assam. It has been brainstorming and implementing various measures to safeguard conflict-affected people, their crops and their property, as well as the conservation of threatened Asian elephants in the area. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for brevity and clarity.