Nagaland ‘Grain for Grain’ aids farmers in elephant conflict zones

The Wildlife Division, Dimapur, has extended its appreciation to Vivek Menon, Founder Trustee and Executive Director of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), and ‘Fondation Segre’ for extending the “Grain for Grain” initiative to Nagaland, providing crucial relief to farmers affected by human-elephant conflict (HEC).
Informing this in a press note, Wildlife Warden, Wildlife Division Dimapur H Tokaho Kinimi said that the scheme, which blends humanitarian assistance with wildlife conservation, was rolled out for the first time in Nagaland and covered 123 households across five villages in Wokha and Zunheboto districts. Under the programme, each family received one quintal of rice in recognition of the heavy crop losses caused by elephant depredation.
The division said, the initiative not only addresses immediate food insecurity but also represents a gesture of solidarity from the broader conservation community. It seeks to reinforce coexistence by supporting communities that live along human-elephant interfaces, where recurring conflict leads to both economic hardship and loss of livelihood, the official said.
The division stated that the “Grain for Grain” initiative embodies a progressive approach to conservation- one that acknowledges that the well-being of communities and the protection of wildlife are deeply interdependent. It said the Wildlife Trust of India, with support from Fondation Segre, has demonstrated that conservation extends beyond safeguarding species and habitats to empowering the people who share space with them.
Calling the initiative a “timely and empathetic intervention,” the division noted that such measures provide both sustenance and moral reassurance to affected families. It also highlighted the need for sustained and practical interventions, particularly in states like Nagaland where elephant movement often overlaps with human settlements and agricultural zones.
As Nagaland continues to navigate the delicate balance between human prosperity and wildlife conservation, the division expressed its intent to further strengthen its partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India. It maintained that while awareness remains vital, it must be reinforced through sustained and practical interventions, particularly in regions where human livelihoods and wildlife habitats intersect.
The division also conveyed its profound gratitude to Wildlife Trust of India, supported by Fondation Segre, Vivek Menon, and Chingrisoror Rumthao, Field Officer, Wildlife Trust of India, along with his dedicated team. Their unwavering commitment and close coordination with the Division were instrumental in ensuring the successful and efficient execution of the programme at the grassroots level.
Reaffirming its collective mission, the division stated that both people and wildlife must not merely coexist, but thrive together in an environment of shared resilience, balance, and mutual respect.