In a bid to tackle the rising human-elephant conflicts in Assam and neighbouring states, a wildlife NGO has launched a mobile application called HaatiApp. The app aims to act as a warning system about the presence of wild elephants near human settlements. This will help mitigate human-elephant conflicts and minimise death and destruction. Read on to know more about it.
What Is HaatiApp, A Recently Launched Mobile App In Assam?
Aaranyak, a wildlife NGO based in Guwahati, recently launched HaatiApp. This app aims to reduce deaths and injuries caused by the human-elephant conflict in Assam and surrounding states. They wish to facilitate coexistence between humans and wild elephants through this app.
But how will this work? People can use the HaatiApp whenever they spot a wild elephant in the proximity of human settlements. The app will update the forest department about it quickly and they will be able to take immediate action and avoid any negative interface.
While talking to Hindustan Times, Bibhuti P Lahkar, head of the Elephant Research and Conservation Division (ERCD) of Aaranyak, said that this mobile application will act as a bridge between government departments and the common people. Besides the HaatiApp, Aaranyak also launched a comprehensive Solar Fence Manual in Assamese. This will help make people more aware of the wild elephants and encourage coexistence.
How This App Will Help Curb Human-Elephant Conflicts?
According to Aaranyak, HaatiApp will act as an early warning system that will help the forest department and the concerned authorities to take the necessary actions whenever a wild elephant is in the proximity of human settlement. They believe this will help minimise death and destruction and promote coexistence between men and wild animals.
As per the Hindustan Times report, elephant-human conflicts have been rising in Assam and surrounding states. Many people tend to illegally use electricity to deter elephants. This puts both wild animals and humans at risk of death due to electrocution. As per official data, in 2023, the Assam government reported that the human-elephant conflict leaves on average 70 humans and 80 elephants dead every year.
Seeing how Assam has the second-highest elephant population in India, we hope this app will be successful! What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: X/aaranyak & Canva