State Forest Department to Make Passages for Elephants in North Bengal

North Bengal has a number of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, two of which are the Jaldapara National Park and the Buxa Tiger Reserve. Both of these are situated in the district of Alipurduar. Recently in a meeting in Madarihat, Alipurduar, it was decided by the state forest department that a passage for elephants would be made between Jaldapara National Park and the Buxa Tiger Reserve to solve the human-elephant conflicts. The meeting took place in the presence of the state forest minister, Jyotipriya Mallick. 

Elephant passages are narrow stretches of forested land which join elephant habitat areas. Elephants usually move from one part of the forest to another in search of better habitats. Elephant passages can help them do so without facing any human-elephant conflicts such as loss of life, property, livelihood and more. 

The elephant passage will run through the Bharnobari tea estate. Plants which act as food for elephants will be planted alongside the passage. It is estimated that the North Bengal region is home to close to 600 elephants. If this project works, the state forest department will be making more of such passages for elephants.