The West Bengal Forest Department is preparing to expand the installation of solar-powered elephant deterrent fences in villages surrounding the Buxa Tiger Reserve following the success of a pilot project in Panbari village. The initiative aims to reduce human-elephant conflict by protecting farms, homes, and livelihoods while ensuring the safety of elephants.

The Panbari Forest Protection Committee previously installed a nearly 4-kilometre-long hanging solar fence using its own funds. The innovative fence has effectively prevented elephants from entering the village, significantly reducing crop damage and property loss. Encouraged by these results, the forest department now plans to extend similar fencing to other conflict-prone villages within the Buxa landscape.

Unlike conventional electric fencing, the solar-powered system delivers a low-voltage, non-lethal pulse that discourages elephants from crossing without causing injury. The design creates a psychological barrier, prompting elephants to retreat after contact while ensuring their welfare.

Forest officials believe that expanding the project will strengthen coexistence between local communities and wildlife by lowering the frequency of elephant raids, reducing economic losses for farmers, and minimizing retaliatory actions against elephants. Community participation is expected to remain central to the programme, with local Forest Protection Committees playing an important role in installation and maintenance.

The proposed expansion reflects a growing emphasis on adopting wildlife-friendly technologies to address human-elephant conflict in forest-edge villages and to promote long-term conservation of elephants in the Buxa landscape.

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