Urgent Plea for Elephant Habitat Protection

On World Elephant Day, environmental advocates are pressing the Assam government for stronger legal safeguards for critical elephant habitats in Goalpara district. The group Nature's Beckon is urging the designation of wildlife sanctuary status for the Pancharatna and Ajagar reserve forests, advocating for integrated conservation efforts with the adjacent Urpad Beel. These areas represent a vital, biodiversity-rich ecosystem essential for a wide array of wildlife, including elephants.

Nature's Beckon highlights that human-elephant conflict is a symptom of broader ecological issues, underscoring the necessity of protecting forests, wetlands, food sources, and crucial movement corridors. The Pancharatna Reserve Forest, encompassing approximately 4,240 hectares, is recognized as a primary natural forest and traditional breeding ground for wild elephants in Goalpara. Surveys have documented a significant presence of bird and mammal species within these forests, further emphasizing their ecological importance.