Meeting on human-elephant conflict in Wka

Amid rising incidents of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Wokha district, a high-level consultative meeting was held at Hammock Resort, Wokha, organized by the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Nagaland on June 6. The meeting aimed to tackle threats to human safety, crop loss, and property damage caused by elephants.
The meeting was attended by minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, C.L. John along with advisor Mhathung Yanthan, Y.M. Humtsoe MLA, chairman SDPDB Bhandari Achumbemo Kikon, and advisor to chief minister, Dr. Chumben Murry.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vedpal Singh provided an overview, revealing that Nagaland has around 440 elephants, with nearly 200 in Wokha alone, leading to increasing conflicts. Since 2018, 15 elephants and 5 people have lost their lives due to these encounters.
C.L. John stressed the urgency of addressing shrinking habitats and rising tension between humans and elephants. While relocation was considered, he noted logistical challenges but assured proactive measures, including birth control strategies and deploying additional forest guards. Advisor Yanthan highlighted that Wokha hosts the highest elephant population in Nagaland, exceeding the land’s capacity to sustain them. He urged timely compensation for affected farmers and recommended more trained wildlife personnel in conflict zones.
Achumbemo Kikon called for relocation of around 180 elephants to reduce pressure on the region, noting how farmers’ crops are often destroyed just before harvest. He also raised concerns about septic waste pollution in rivers, urging authorities to take action.
Y.M. Humtsoe advocated for a humane approach, emphasizing that elephants are searching for food and survival, not acting aggressively without cause. Dr. Chumben Murry noted the sharp rise in Wokha’s elephant population, growing from 60 in 2009–10 to nearly 200 in 2023, and called for population control measures.
Deputy Commissioner Vineet Kumar stressed that HEC is a shared issue requiring community cooperation.
Village representatives voiced frustration over repeated crop destruction and property damage, some requesting increased security and protective measures.
The meeting was chaired by PCCF Dharmendra Prakash, with remarks from DFO Wokha Suman W.M. Sivachar, CF Nagaland Zuthunglo Patton, and Research Associate WII Rishi Basumatary. Principal secretary E. Mhonbemo Patton concluded the session, followed by a vote of thanks by Wildlife Warden Tokaho Kinimi.
The discussions underscored the urgency of a comprehensive conflict mitigation strategy, focusing on relocation, habitat preservation, population control, and stronger community involvement to ensure peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants.