Napier Grass Initiative: Assam’s innovative solution to man-elephant conflict wins PM Modi’s praise

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 19, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded Assam’s Haathi Bandhu project, an innovative initiative in Nagaon district aimed at mitigating human-elephant conflict.

Highlighting the project during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Modi praised the villagers’ collective efforts in planting Napier grass to provide elephants with an alternative food source, effectively reducing crop destruction.

The initiative, spearheaded by around 100 affected villages, has significantly eased tensions between humans and wildlife. By cultivating Napier grass on 800 bighas of barren land, villagers successfully diverted elephants from farmland, ensuring both agricultural security and ecological balance.

PM Modi acknowledged the deep-rooted wisdom behind this grassroots movement, emphasizing the villagers’ understanding of the elephants’ hunger-driven intrusion. “The people of Nagaon realized that elephants were not enemies but simply searching for food. Instead of conflict, they found a compassionate solution,” he remarked.

Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also praised the Haathi Bandhu project, recognizing its role in fostering harmony between humans and elephants. The initiative stands as a model for sustainable coexistence, demonstrating how community-driven conservation efforts can resolve long-standing wildlife conflicts.

With its success in Assam, the Napier Grass Initiative could inspire similar eco-friendly solutions across India, paving the way for a more balanced relationship between humans and nature.