PM Modi Praises Assam’s Elephant Conservation Project in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Address

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“PM Modi’s Praise for Assam’s ‘Hati Bondhu’ Brings National Recognition to Success in Mitigating Human-Elephant Conflict”

In Short

In his first “Mann Ki Baat” address of 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the innovative “Hati Bondhu” initiative from Assam for its success in fostering peaceful human-elephant coexistence. The project, which operates in the elephant-prone regions of Nagaon and Karbi Anglong, has gained significant national attention following the prime minister’s recognition. Modi referred to the initiative as a “perfect example” of humans understanding and responding to the needs of elephants, particularly in mitigating the frequent man-animal conflicts in these areas.

Modi highlighted the troubling situation in Nagaon, where herds of elephants had long been destroying crops, causing distress to farmers in over 100 villages. He acknowledged the villagers’ empathy towards the elephants, recognizing that the animals were simply intruding to alleviate hunger. Rather than resorting to conflict, the villagers sought a compassionate solution.

“Hati Bondhu,” which translates to “Elephant Friend,” was born from this understanding. The initiative has focused on creating awareness about the challenges faced by both farmers and elephants. By promoting better farming techniques and cultivating mutual respect, villagers have been able to reduce crop destruction and protect the elephants’ natural habitat.

In his address, Modi emphasized the importance of human understanding and compassion in preserving wildlife. He explained, “While animals cannot speak, humans can understand their feelings and gestures,” underscoring the profound bond that has developed between the people and elephants through this initiative. The prime minister’s recognition has not only celebrated the success of Hati Bondhu but has also drawn national attention to Assam’s efforts in wildlife conservation and human-animal coexistence.

The initiative’s success, which combines local community efforts with environmental awareness, is now seen as a model for other parts of India grappling with similar challenges. The prime minister’s praise has brought renewed focus on the importance of such community-driven conservation projects, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in addressing complex ecological and agricultural challenges.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sentiments, expressing his gratitude for the national recognition of the “Hati Bondhu” initiative. Sarma hailed the project as a “natural solution” to reducing the escalating man-elephant conflicts in the region. He emphasized that the initiative benefits both people and elephants, describing it as a “win-win situation.”

The Hati Bondhu project, which has involved around 8,000 beneficiaries across 100 villages, addresses the growing tensions between humans and elephants. In Assam, the conflict has become a critical conservation issue. As human settlements expand and agricultural activities intensify, the natural habitats of elephants have shrunk, forcing them into closer proximity with human populations. This encroachment has heightened the likelihood of human-elephant interactions, often leading to destructive confrontations.

The Hati Bondhu initiative focuses on mitigating these conflicts by promoting sustainable farming practices and increasing awareness about elephant behavior. By offering farmers practical solutions, such as crop protection strategies and better management of their land, the project aims to reduce the damage elephants cause to crops while ensuring their safety. The involvement of local communities in these efforts has been pivotal, with the initiative relying heavily on the collaboration between farmers, conservationists, and the government to find balanced solutions.

This growing partnership between humans and elephants is seen as a positive step toward preserving the region’s biodiversity while safeguarding the livelihoods of local farmers. As such, the Hati Bondhu initiative stands as an exemplary model for balancing conservation with development, a testament to the power of community-driven solutions in addressing complex environmental challenges.

The Hati Bondhu initiative, established in 2018 by 90-year-old nature enthusiast Pradip Bhuyan from Guwahati and local conservationist Binod Dulu Borah from Nagaon, has revolutionized human-elephant relations in Assam. What started as a response to the rising casualties and destruction caused by human-elephant conflict has since evolved into a successful model of peaceful coexistence.

At the heart of Hati Bondhu’s approach are its innovative agricultural practices. The initiative focuses on cultivating Napier grass, jackfruit, and elephant apples on barren lands near elephant corridors. This not only provides a sustainable food source for the elephants but also helps to reduce their intrusion into human settlements. By transforming previously unproductive land into dedicated feeding grounds, Hati Bondhu has addressed the root cause of human-elephant conflict: the elephants’ search for food in agricultural areas.

The results have been remarkable. Over 800 bighas (approximately 266 acres) of land have been converted into feeding grounds for elephants, significantly alleviating the pressure on local crops. In Hatikhuli Ronghang village, for example, elephants now graze peacefully on specially cultivated grass and fruits, instead of raiding nearby paddy fields. Since the implementation of these practices, the region, once notorious for violent encounters, has not reported any fatal incidents in the past eight years.

Hati Bondhu’s success is a testament to the power of innovative, community-driven solutions in resolving conflicts between humans and wildlife. By fostering a deep understanding of elephants’ needs and creating a harmonious environment for both people and elephants, this initiative has set a precedent for conservation efforts across the country.

The success of the Hati Bondhu organization is rooted in its meticulous understanding of elephant behavior and migratory patterns. Through extensive fieldwork along the Nagaon-Karbi Anglong border, the team identified critical routes that elephants use when descending from the Karbi Hills into nearby human settlements. Recognizing these patterns, Hati Bondhu took strategic action by planting food sources along these corridors to intercept the elephants’ movement.

By providing abundant food, water, and security in these areas, the organization successfully redirected the elephants from encroaching into farmland. As a result, the elephants are now drawn to these cultivated feeding grounds, where they can satisfy their hunger without causing harm to crops. This approach ensures that farmers can harvest their crops safely, free from the fear of elephant raids.

Binod Dulu Borah and his wife Meghana Mayur Hazarika have played an instrumental role in overseeing the success of these efforts. They maintain a vigilant watch over the elephants as they feast on the Napier grass and other cultivated foods. Their commitment helps ensure that while elephants are engaged with the dedicated feeding grounds, farmers are able to complete their harvest without conflict, fostering a peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.

The impact of Hati Bondhu extends well beyond the fields, transforming the livelihoods of farmers and fostering a new sense of communal responsibility toward wildlife conservation. For years, farmers had abandoned paddy cultivation due to the devastating annual raids by elephants, which destroyed crops and left them with little to show for their efforts. However, with the introduction of this initiative, they are now experiencing bountiful harvests. Each year, they had lived in fear of losing their crops to elephant incursions, but with the strategic planting of food sources for the elephants, farmers in areas like Chapanala and Baijoori are finally able to harvest their paddy without suffering losses.

The initiative’s success has also led to an unexpected cultural shift in the region. By creating safe spaces for elephants to feed, Hati Bondhu has instilled a sense of shared stewardship among the villagers. In places like Hatikhuli Ronghang, it has become a common sight to see farmers and elephants coexisting peacefully in the same fields. Over the past week, farmers have been able to complete their harvests while wild elephants freely roam and graze on the Napier grass and paddy in adjacent plots. This harmonious coexistence, once thought impossible, has drawn attention from researchers and conservationists who are eager to study and document this pioneering model of human-wildlife cohabitation.

The innovative approach of Hati Bondhu has earned widespread praise from both conservationists and policymakers. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the initiative’s success, particularly the use of 30 hectares of private land for cultivating Napier grass, calling it a “symbol of Assam’s cultural commitment to coexistence with nature.” He also underscored the broader significance of the project in tackling habitat loss, which is one of the primary drivers of human-wildlife conflict in India.

By offering elephants a reliable food source, Hati Bondhu has not only reduced the frequency of crop-raids but has also helped mitigate the risk of retaliatory violence against the animals. This shift in how communities interact with wildlife has the potential to serve as a model for addressing similar conflicts in other parts of India, where human-animal encounters often result in loss of life on both sides. As more communities look to adopt similar approaches, the success of Hati Bondhu is contributing to a larger conversation about the importance of human-wildlife coexistence in the country.

Hati Bondhu’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of community collaboration. Despite the many challenges posed by human-elephant conflict, the initiative continues to operate with unwavering dedication. Ensuring the safety of both people and elephants requires constant vigilance, but the founders remain steadfast in their mission. Their goal is to set an example that conservation efforts do not have to come at the expense of local livelihoods. The program’s success is supported by the commitment of numerous volunteers, who handle the daily operations and ensure its smooth functioning.

As human-elephant conflict continues to be a major conservation challenge across India, Hati Bondhu shines as a beacon of hope. The initiative showcases how grassroots innovation—driven by empathy and cooperation—can solve even the most deeply rooted ecological problems. By striking a careful balance between conservation and livelihood, Hati Bondhu has demonstrated that peaceful coexistence is not only possible but can also be a transformative force for both humans and wildlife. Its success offers valuable lessons in sustainable conservation practices and the importance of community-driven efforts in protecting endangered species.

In his Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Modi’s words highlighted the essence of this initiative: “Hati Bondhu is a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision. Let us all learn from their example and strive for harmony with nature.”

For Assam and its people, this recognition is not only a moment of immense pride but also a call to action—to further cultivate the fragile yet powerful bond between humans and elephants. It serves as a reminder that conservation efforts can thrive when communities work together, and it inspires others across India to explore similar solutions for peaceful coexistence with wildlife.

Courtesy: Narendra Modi

References

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