OBJECTIVES

 Human-elephant conflict is a major conservative concern in Coimbatore and Nilgiris Division. Our objective is to identify the use of shared resources among the elephants and humans at different spatial and temporal scales for the development of long-term solutions. This also includes anthropological and geographical knowledge to find sustainable solutions to manage human-elephant conflicts. Based on the historical data we have found that due to expansion of human settlements, expansion of agricultural fields, and reduced landscape connectivity between forests are a few main reasons for human-elephant conflict. 

To reduce the human-elephant conflict and to protect against poaching of the wild animals, team CWCT works on 

1) Routine surveillance along with the forest officials. 

2) By regularly watching the activities of the crop raiders. 

3) Explain to people in areas of conflict about dos and don’ts during any wild elephant enters their area. 

• By logging the activity of the individual or heard of elephants our team tries to understand elephant’s activities and work accordingly to prevent human-elephant conflict. Also, we have a rapid response CWCT team to attend to patrolling the forest boundary of the conflict areas along with the forest department officials. 

• Apart from reducing human-elephant conflicts and protecting wild animals from poaching, we plant saplings, make forest firelines along forest boundaries to control forest fires and rescue snakes, birds, or any small wild animals from residential areas with the help of the forest department. 

• To protect the forest from deforestation due to man-made fires along forest boundaries, we create a Fireline near the forest boundary. And at the event of forest fire, we join with the forest department to put off forest fire. 

• We promote awareness to the younger generation about how important is to protect wildlife and nature in the interest of our environment. Until today, we are approached by several colleges to educate their students. We educate them in detail through our Special expertise in various fields of Flora and Fauna, Forest department officials, and through our expertise. 

• We have also repaired and laid a new water supply pipeline for a water hole inside the forest providing regular water to wild animals which prevents wild animals from entering villages in search of water. 

• During Thipoosam in Maruthamalai and MahaShivaratiri near Poondi, a Famous Hindu religious festival, our team does regular patrols along with the forest department on roads where wild elephants often venture, we help stop pilgrimages from entering elephant crossing areas and protect pilgrimages from any wildlife conflict. 

• Following the Thipoosam festival, our CWCT team spearheads a plastic cleaning campaign in Marudamalai, demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.