The main objective of this project was to train the field staff and villagers on various means to manage human elephant conflict and to develop a Elephant Drive Team compromising of Field Staff & Villagers around Sanjay Tiger Reserve mainly in Marwas & Paundi Range. Along with carrying out awareness campaigns in villages adjoining the forest.

Since last couple of months there has been movement of elephants from Chattisgarh to Balaghat, Annupur, Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Dhubri wherein there are intrusions happening, incidents of crop damages, houses broken and death of 3 people due to elephant.
Details of Workshop to field staff on elephant identification, temperament study & conflict management- Half day workshop was carried out in the interpretation centre at Paundi Range, SDTR on 11th March 21 , the participants were 2 SDO’s, RFO, Beat Officers & Forest Guard of 5 ranges. The topic covered in the workshop through presentation was on :
1. Individual elephant sex & age identification.
2. Identification of individual & herd.
3. Body Language.
4. Human Elephant Conflict Management.

End of the session we unfolded a small video on importance of Elephant in the eco-system and Do’s and Don’ts in hindi for the benefit of the locals. The team was demonstrated on means of Elephant drive through use of mashaal and Chilli & tobacco powder. Awareness programs were carried out in 5 village panchayats Lurghuti, Kota, Paundi, Keolari & Pindrai gram panchayats.

Training on elephant drive to field staff and selected villagers who will form the ‘Hati Mitra’, on how to make the mashaals with jute by putting chilli powder and tobacco and the way to hold the mashaal and the formation in which the drive team has to move in order to ensure the elephants are driven towards jungle.