In a major step towards reducing human-elephant conflict, the Uttarakhand Forest Department has announced plans to fit radio collars on selected wild elephants in the Haridwar forest division before the 2027 Haridwar Kumbh. The initiative is aimed at protecting both millions of pilgrims and the state’s iconic Asian elephants during one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

Haridwar lies along important elephant movement routes connected to the Rajaji landscape. As forests increasingly overlap with expanding towns, villages and agricultural fields, elephant herds frequently enter human settlements in search of food or while following traditional migration paths. Such encounters often lead to crop losses, property damage and, at times, injuries or deaths of both people and elephants.

The new plan focuses on identifying the leaders of elephant herds and fitting them with GPS-enabled radio collars. Since herds usually move together under the guidance of experienced individuals, tracking these animals will allow forest officials to monitor the movement of entire groups in real time. If elephants approach populated areas or routes expected to witness heavy pilgrim traffic during the Kumbh, rapid response teams can be deployed to safely divert them back into the forest before conflict occurs.

The project will be carried out with scientific support from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which will study elephant behaviour, herd size, movement patterns and seasonal routes. The information gathered will help authorities identify suitable animals for collaring and develop a long-term strategy for managing human-elephant interactions in the region. Approval for the radio-collaring exercise has been sought from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Officials have acknowledged that existing measures such as trenches and solar fencing have only partially succeeded in preventing elephants from entering human settlements. Radio telemetry offers a more proactive approach by enabling authorities to predict elephant movements instead of reacting after animals have already entered populated areas.

The initiative builds on earlier preparations for Haridwar’s previous Kumbh events, when radio-collaring was first tested in Uttarakhand. The expanded programme reflects growing recognition that technology, combined with ecological understanding and rapid field response, can significantly reduce human-wildlife conflict while ensuring that elephants continue to move safely through their natural habitats.

If implemented successfully, the project could become a model for other states facing similar challenges, demonstrating how conservation and public safety can work hand in hand during large public events.