📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Donvikro / Vikramjit Kakati, Assam, India
Agriculture
Assam forms 14 ‘Gosh Mitro’ teams to curb human‑elephant conflict on Bhutan border
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 08 Nov 2026, 10:36 PM
👁 18
The Assam government has created 14 specialised ‘Gosh Mitro’ teams to address rising human‑elephant clashes along the India‑Bhutan frontier.
Assam announced the formation of fourteen dedicated ‘Gosh Mitro’ (Elephant Friend) teams aimed at mitigating the growing human‑elephant conflict that has plagued villages along the India‑Bhutan border. The initiative was unveiled by the state government as part of its broader wildlife‑management strategy.
The teams will focus on the frontier districts where frequent elephant movements into agricultural fields have led to crop loss and occasional injuries to residents. By concentrating resources in this sensitive zone, authorities hope to protect both livelihoods and the endangered elephant population.
Operating under the forest department, the ‘Gosh Mitro’ squads are expected to coordinate with local communities, implement early‑warning systems and promote non‑lethal deterrents. Officials said the collaborative approach aims to reduce incidents while preserving ecological balance.
State officials anticipate that the targeted deployment will bring measurable declines in conflict reports over the coming months, though they cautioned that sustained community participation will be essential for long‑term success.
The teams will focus on the frontier districts where frequent elephant movements into agricultural fields have led to crop loss and occasional injuries to residents. By concentrating resources in this sensitive zone, authorities hope to protect both livelihoods and the endangered elephant population.
Operating under the forest department, the ‘Gosh Mitro’ squads are expected to coordinate with local communities, implement early‑warning systems and promote non‑lethal deterrents. Officials said the collaborative approach aims to reduce incidents while preserving ecological balance.
State officials anticipate that the targeted deployment will bring measurable declines in conflict reports over the coming months, though they cautioned that sustained community participation will be essential for long‑term success.