New Delhi, 13 October 2020: Pernod Ricard India Foundation and WWF India have joined hands to conserve the Asian elephant through effective human-elephant conflict management in Assam. The project covers close to 150 villages in Kamrup, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Nagaon districts. As part of the project, community members will be trained on effective situation management by developing a toolkit and forming anti-depredation squads, which would help them protect their property, crops, and lives.
WWF India’s work spans across thematic areas including the conservation of key wildlife species and their habitats, management of rivers, wetlands, and their ecosystems, climate change adaptation. While Pernod Ricard India Foundation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pernod Ricard India Private Limited (PRIPL), a fast-growing multinational alcohol beverage company.
The recently published Living Planet Report 2020 outlines the unprecedented biodiversity loss the world has witnessed over the last 46 years, with a 68% decline in the population of wildlife. The Asian elephant, being a keystone species, plays an integral role in forest and grassland ecosystems and humanity’s relationship with nature. However, dwindling forest cover, loss of habitat and shrinking movement spaces have paved the way for increased conflict with humans with heavy damage on both ends.
The project will build on WWF India’s experience on human-elephant conflict management in Assam, developed over the last two decades. These measures include the use of anti-depredation squads, innovative and low-cost fences, and diverse awareness raising measures. Some of these measures undertaken with the active participation of local communities and the Assam Forest Department have demonstrated the potential to ensure the safety and well-being of local communities and the endangered Asian elephant.
Talking about the program, Thibault Cuny, MD and CEO, Pernod Ricard India, said, "Creating a positive impact on the environment and the community that we are a part of, is a responsibility we take very seriously and we measure our growth, not only through the economic value we generate but also through the value and gains, that we create for our society and environment. We are happy to partner with WWF India in this programme which will help create a long-term convivial relationship between humans and elephants to drive a larger restorative co-existence."
With creation of a ‘Safe Ele-Fence’ manual, communities will also be equipped with training, supplies, and institutional support for the construction of low-cost elephant-safe solar-powered fences. The programme will also include training of Forest Department staff, in partnership with the State Forest Department of Assam to ensure long-term sustainability of conservation efforts on ground.
Dr. Dipankar Ghose, Director, Wildlife and Habitats, WWF India, welcomed Pernod Ricard India Foundation’s support to conserve elephants and reduce conflict in four districts of Assam. He said that the partnership will help secure the populations of Asian elephants in Assam by working closely with local communities and the Forest and Railway departments of the state.
