Yanthan leads HEC mitigation campaign across Wokha villages

In a proactive step to address the growing challenge of Human–Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Wokha district, advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan spearheaded a constituency-wide awareness and mitigation campaign from August 2 to 10, covering 14 villages.
According to DIPR report, the programme focused on promoting coexistence strategies in areas affected by crop loss, property damage, and human casualties due to elephant incursions. Moving beyond relief measures, the initiative emphasized low-cost, sustainable solutions rooted in community empowerment and scientific expertise.
The campaign featured Dr. Rudraditya, a renowned wildlife veterinarian and elephant ecologist from Bengaluru, with over 18 years of field experience in India and Africa. Known for his pioneering chili-based deterrent methods, Dr. Rudraditya conducted: Live demonstrations on chili deterrent preparation and application; Hands-on training for farmers and volunteers and Interactive community dialogues tailored to local conditions
Villages along the Pyotchu–Lakhuti and Baghty–Sanis–Okotso routes actively participated in the programme.
Yanthan emphasized the need for scientific plantation practices and urged farmers to form village-level societies to enhance group processing and marketing. He stated that sensitive leadership, combined with grassroots engagement, can yield lasting solutions to human–wildlife conflict.
With its success in Wokha, the campaign is being viewed as a replicable model for other vulnerable regions in Nagaland and the Northeast, reaffirming the importance of governance rooted in community needs and environmental stewardship.