Last year we were contacted by Selco Foundation regarding increasing crop raiding issues in Assam due to elephant intrusion. Assam being rich in biodiversity, has always been a zone with human wildlife conflicts. Every year at least 30-40 people in Assam lose their lives due to these conflicts and dozens of elephants are killed in retaliation. This conflict is going since decades and is increasing year after year due to decrease in forest cover.
The crop raiding problem faced by the village farmers was severe and needed urgent solution. The NGO bought 10 devices from us to do a pilot in high conflict zones. The pilot project was so successful that they placed an order of 80 devices the very next season. Extremely happy with the results, the farmers were ready to pay their share for the devices instead of just relying on the NGO for funds. The NGO and farmers had great things to say about their experience.
Quoting their feedback, “We installed ANIDERS along the river bank because elephant herds used to enter the farmlands after crossing the river. Once we installed ANIDERS, elephant herds tried to enter the farmlands, but they got scared and returned to jungle every time because of ANIDERS’s light and sound alarm. Since the installation of this device, there has been no damage reported and the crops have been safe ever since.
Last year, farmers lost up to 4 bighas of paddy due to crop raiding by elephants. But this year, after ANIDERS installation, his fields are not only safe, but he is also able to save Rs. 7000, which is a big deal for a small-scale farmer. On average these farmers are able to save Rs. 14,000 each.
Interestingly, ANIDERS is not only saving us from elephant intrusions but it is also protecting us from thieves. This area used to report theft during nighttime, but post ANIDERS installation, reported thefts have drastically reduced as ANIDERS triggers an alarm in case there is any intrusion detected.”
Feedbacks like these give us motivation to keep working towards our goals and make us believe that we are moving in the right direction. We, at Kyari Innovations, have took it upon ourselves to innovate more such innovative solutions to help the environment and people alike.