Community Perception, Damage Assessment and Mitigation Strategies of Human–Elephant Conflict in Goalpara District of Assam

Goalpara district of Assam is widely known for human-elephant conflict. The four Forest Range offices-Goalpara Sadar Range, Central Range of Krishnai, Rangjuli Range and Lakhipur Range are involved in forest conservation and conflict mitigation activities in the district. The present survey was conducted across these four ranges of Goalpara district using questionnaires and interviews. The study examines the severity and impacts of human-elephant conflict, community perceptions of elephant behaviour and administrative initiatives for conflict mitigation and elephant conservation. Among the participants, 72.2% perceived elephants as a source of fear and the remaining 27.8% viewed elephants as indifferent animals and considered coexistence with elephants possible. The major impacts of human-elephant conflict included crop damage (64.2%), property damage (13.6%), livestock loss (6.8%), psychological fear (5.6%) and physical injuries (3.7%), while 6.1% reported no elephant-related damage. In addition, 4.3% of respondents reported the loss of family members, while the remaining 95.7% were aware of human-elephant conflict in the area. Official records showed 159 male and 77 female deaths due to elephant attacks in the district between 2011 and 2025. The conflict has also affected the elephant population, with 56 elephant deaths recorded between 2010 and 2025 across the four ranges. These deaths were mainly attributed to electrocution, other human-induced causes and natural death. Integrated measures, such as low-current solar-powered electric fencing, plantation of elephant-preferred food species, eviction of forest encroachments, awareness programmes, and safe deterrent use can help mitigate human-elephant conflict while supporting elephant conservation.

@article{gracy2026,
  author  = {Gracy Riksime N Arengh, Peacefully Sangma, Chandana Das and Awarlin Chetia*},
  title   = {{Community Perception, Damage Assessment and Mitigation Strategies of Human–Elephant Conflict in Goalpara District of Assam}},
  journal = {Journal of Bioresearch},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22814537},
}