Odisha: Beehive fencing to ward off man-elephant conflicts

Keonjhar: With an objective to prevent human-elephant conflict, a unique initiative of beehive fencing has been implemented in Sargitolia village at Joda in Odisha’s mining-rich Keonjhar district.

Basing on the research on ‘Save Elephants’ by a foreign university, it was observed that elephants naturally avoid bees so as to avoid the risk of bees to enter into their trunks.

Beehive fencing concept was the outcome of this research. The design of beehive fencing incorporates locally constructed beehives, which are strung intermittently between wooden poles to compose a primitive fence. When elephants bump into the fence and disturb the associated hives, it forces the bees to come out and sound around elephants. As a result, the elephants flee from that area. The project has been implemented on a pilot basis at Sargitolia.

This project is said to be a win-win solution for the farmers as they can protect their houses and crops without any conflict. Moreover the villagers have been imparted training on extraction of honey from these beehives which has provided a source of income to them by selling honey.

Salmi Munda, one of the beneficiaries of the project, said: “I am well aware of the benefits of the project and also creating awareness among our villagers. Since the implementation of the project, no elephant has entered our village and we are hoping that the project will protect us from elephant attacks in future.”

Speaking about the implementation of the project, Pankaj Satija, General Manager (Ore Mines & Quarries), Tata Steel said: “By using beehives as a deterrent strategy, the bees are not only helping to create harmony in a situation of conflict but also improving the biodiversity and helping us create a better world for all forms of life. This new technique is a unique step which will help in deterring elephants for entering the field and also will help in improving pollination for agriculture and other flora.”

Notably, Tata Steel’s Ore Mines and Quarries (OMQ) Division has initiated the project of beehive fencing.

Joda block being an elephant prone area, cases of human-elephant conflict is common in the region.

Deforestation, degradation and fragmentation of their natural habitat are the result of rise in human-elephant conflicts. This in turn has landed the Asian elephant a secured position on the list of endangered species.

Incidents such as damage and destruction of property, raiding of farmers’ crops and incidents involving injuries and sometimes death of people or elephants have become more frequent.