Guwahati, Sept. 18 -- In an effort to tackle the rising challenges of human elephant conflict (HEC) in Assam, conservation NGO Aaranyak, with support from the SBI Foundation, organised a community outreach programme in Jartaluk village of Tamulpur district.

"This initiative is about building coexistence strategies that communities themselves can own and sustain," said an Aaranyak representative.

The programme, held earlier this week, saw active participation from more than 60 residents representing six neighbouring villages.

The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Baksa Forest Division and the Range Officer of Batabari Range also joined the session, underlining the urgency of community forest department collaboration in mitigating HEC....