Landscape approach, while preparing an integrated management plan for elephants in North Bengal , should be taken.

• Fragmentation of forest is the main reason behind the problem, so site-specific programme for securing the elephant corridors is needed. This could include relocation of villages , acquisition of lands and then declaring it as a part of the reserve forest or existing Protected Area, working with the community to keep aside a part of the land for free passage of elephants.
• Promoting alternate crops unpalatable to elephants to reduce crop rading by elephants.
• Regarding railways –

There was an expert committee appointed to look into the matters regarding railways passing through elephant habitats. Expert committee identified only 4 corridors and suggested corrective measures, which the Railways claim to have implemented .The speed limit has been fixed without proper scientific discussions. So,

1. Review of the suggestions of the expert committee have to be made because accidents occur in several areas. There may be around 20 crossing points which needs to be asserted.

2. Review of the speed limit.

3. An early system of warning for avoiding accidents may be worked out, which is currently being developed by IIT, Rourkee in Rajaji National Park as a part of the project implemented by WTI.

Short term measures may be taken like all the conflict areas are addressed through existing or new innovative mitigation techniques. There should also be mechanisms to interact with the affected villagers to build confidence.

• Long term measures to secure a corridor and maintain connectivity has also to be taken.
  
• People residing in the areas adjacent to forests and corridors are currently benefited from the biodiversity in the area. These have to be highlighted and a mechanism should be in place to enhance the benefits obtained from the forest.
  
• Close collaboration with the tea estates in the area for suggestions to mitigate the problem and implementation.
  

Conflict zone gradations to be done after proper study and interactions with stakeholders and strategy devised accordingly.

• Ensuring no impediments to free and natural movement of elephants, only when absolutely necessary, guided movement of elephants towards nearest forest patch by trained squads may be made to restrict the movement of elephants within the extended zone of influence .
  
• Advance warning system to alert the villagers to reduce depredation can be introduced. To attain this goal, vigil by the staffs of Forest Department (whenever any movement of migrant or resident elephants are reported) and development of a communication network between the field party and target villages will be necessary.
  
• Change of crop pattern in consultation with Agriculture Department may be thought of with suggestions from the local people. Gradual decrease of exotic species and increasing indigenous species in afforestation activities, as far as possible, should be included in the working plans for JFM schemes.
  
• Alternate livelihood options through various schemes like NREG etc should be explored to reduce dependency of local people on forest resources. This will assist in regeneration of fodder stock and discourage straying into orchards and crop fields.
  
• Development & improvement of habitat in Mayurjharna Reserve. This can be easily attained with local peoples' participation. This area, lying in the West of Kangsabati River, is dominated by tribals who are tolerant to wild animals. Control of cattle grazing and simple habitat management practices like soil and water conservation initiatives and development of a few water bodies (locations have been identified) and restraining any effort at forceful ‘driving' of migrant herds across the Kangsabati River may encourage seasonal migrants to remain within Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve.
  
• Insurance coverage for life & property may be introduced in consultation with respective authorities.
  
• Removal of encroachment from forests, if any.
  
• Initiate research study in three states to assess the distribution and movement pattern, habitat utilization, population dynamics and mapping of the distribution zones with emphasis on identification and removal of physical impediments responsible for isolation / restricted movements in traditional home ranges.
  
• Generation of awareness with active involvement of NGOs, Panchayats / local bodies and local people to inform the masses about the behaviour patterns and feeding habits of the species which may discourage storage / production of illicit liquors etc.
  
• Help in electrification of vulnerable villages, provide solar lights in the villages far from electrified poles.
  
• A dialogue to be initiated with Forest Department of Orissa, who would impress upon the ministry of Railways to ensure immediate activation of the incomplete railway line between Bangsapani (Joda) and Jakshapura (Paradip), to reduce the road transport pressure from NH 215 which is forcing elephants to remain in fragmented forest patches for longer period than the resources can sustain them causing ingress into unfamiliar places with deplorable consequences.
  
• Dialogues to be opened with Forest Deptt of Jharkhand to ensure habitat improvement measures in the buffer zone of Dalma WLS particularly in locations in the East like Chimti, Dangardih, Poradih, Mohulbasha, Bataluka, Amdapahari, Ghorabhanda and Chelema, Kantaldih, Bandhdih, Pharenga and Khokro in the North-west.
  
• Capture and translocation of problem elephants should only be executed as per the provisions of Section 11 of the WPA after proper assessment of the situation.
  

Keeping in mind the requirement of use of technology for conservation of wild elephants and management of the captive elephants in West Bengal , the following suggestions came up keeping in mind that technology be designed in a manner that could be used in the remote areas of the forests. Moreover, technology should be made user friendly, so that it can be easily implemented and used by the staff of the forest department, who are in the first line with the elephants.

•  Proper Training Schools for Mahouts :

The Forest Department is currently in dearth of trained Kunki elephants as well as quality mahouts even though their need during captures and driving operations are critical. Mahout training school should be established in West Bengal to train the mahouts by blending modern scientific knowledge, but also the focus should be on the revival with the traditional knowledge and skills. Thus it is recommended that mahout training school be developed at strategic points where traditional mahout knowledge would be blended with the latest and scientific methods of elephant handling and management.

•  Scientific Training Methods of Captive elephants:

Development of standardized ethograms to evaluate elephant behavior in response to current management practices and monitoring of stress may be introduced. Introduction of Scientific training methods such as positive and negative reinforcements should be introduced to train elephant calves. Experts should also train mahouts and other forest staff in such procedures of training.

•  Research on elephants:

While there are needs for further research on elephants, it should be kept in mind that non-invasive techniques and procedures be given more importance as they do not cause any physical harm to the elephants in forms of side effects and can be sustained in the future years. Research proposals should be based more on efficacy of the logistic implementations of such research work.

Use of Pzp ( Porcine zona pellucida ) immuno-contraceptive vaccines on the captive elephants in the elephant camps of North Bengal is highly opposed. Dr. Sukumar highlighted that application of Pzp vaccines on the elephants of Krugar National Park , Africa , has been discontinued. Development of a safe and long acting immuno-contraceptive vaccine and proper delivery system will take another couple of years. Until established records from other Asian countries show some side effect free results on Asian elephants, Govt. of West Bengal should not consider its application on their captive elephants. Proposal of the same line requires second thought before implementation. Director P.E. should be informed accordingly.

•  Development of Deterrents.

Safe organic deterrents (e.g. Red Chilies) should be developed to repel elephants from entering the villages and crop yielding areas. Emphasis to be given to develop ways to repel elephants by not causing physical abuse on them. Use of organic resins as medium of delivery of olfactory repellents may be experimented. Use of bioacoustics methods, and infrasonic sound waves to repel elephants were suggested to be researched upon.

•  Translocation

After chemical immobilization and capture, elephants are often translocated several hundred kilometers away. It is suggested that, before translocation of problem-bulls to another area, possibilities of depredation in the newly translocated area should be evaluated in advance. Help of modern machines may be taken during loading/ unloading. To minimize injury during translocation specialized vehicles are needed that are being designed in Tamilnadu and will be available soon. It is recommended that State Forest Department consider their use after monitoring them.

•  Development of Real Time monitoring methods:

To prevent accidental death of elephants due to collision with trains passing through the forest areas, real time monitoring methods through CCD cameras may be implemented. Cameras should be placed at the strategic points at the known elephant corridors so that nearby stationmasters could caution the drivers against possible collision with elephants.

Speed restrictions should be implemented at the known elephant corridors and the drivers instructed to strictly follow it.