Guwahati, August 14 : In this context on the occasion of World Elephant Day, Aaranyak engages in conversation of Gajah Katha with the students, teachers and native people in Sripanchami Himalee High School, Bhutankhuti, Baska District in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha Assam, Baksa District supported by SBI Foundation and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. The program was attended by 138 participants.

Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Senior Manager, Aaranyak interacted with the participants of the program on Gajah Katha through a series of illustrative and engaging posters describing the largest terrestrial animal, their calm, innocent, empathetic, social and self-disciplined nature. Differences in physical features of the Asian and African Elephants. The uniqueness of Asian Elephants, their requirement of habitat, water, food and the variety of food they need and also the way they communicate among themselves. This joyful and engaging Gajah Katha also explained about the human – elephant coexistence, the elephant community and population, their matriarchal society, long-ranging nature, migratory routes followed by generations and its importance. Highlighting on the 5^th or 6^th Century old text, Hastiayurveda (also known as Gajah Shastra) by sage Palakapya and 18^th Century illustrated text Hastividyarnava by Sukumar Barkaith, Shri Pathak said that since ancient time humans shared an everlasting bond with elephants.

Aaranyak official, Pranab Goswami recited a self-composed poem, “Aranyar Prahari” with a heart-warming appeal on the conservation of the magnificent long-ranging animals, their habitats and corridors.

Aaranyak official, Tanvi Hussain alluded to the participants about human-elephant coexistence in various activities of human life such as considering the pachyderm as a good luck charm, its involvement in various religious and social functions, taking elephant rides for surveys or tourism purposes etc.

A perception analysis on elephant habitat and human-elephant coexistence was carried out during the program as the Bhutankhuti village under Baganpara Block is a human-elephant conflict prone area. The survey received responses from students between 14 to 16 years and elderly above 30 years natives.  99% of students and 65.5% of elderly natives responded that elephant habitats are not in good condition. 37.5% elderly natives consider that the habitat of elephants is still in good condition. 94% of the elderly native responded that human-elephant can coexist in the same landscape or area though they experience HEC in their day-to-day life. Whereas 79% of the students responded that humans and elephants cannot coexist in the same area. However, 21% of the students think that human-elephant coexistence is possible. The perception analysis reveals that human-elephant conflicts are episodes of recent decades prior to which human-elephant coexistence was inseparable.

The students also fun learning participatory activity where they were given to explain an illustration of elephants in a village devoid of any text or caption, the responses and descriptions received were overwhelming wherein the students shared their experiences of encounter with elephants in their village or neighbourhood and also listed some precautionary measures to avoid harm for both humans and elephants.

Amid the program, students of Sripanchami Himalee High School entertained the participants and organizers with their enthralling performance of Nepali and Jhumur dance.

Aaranyak official, Mondeep Basumatari summarized the program briefing the objective behind each activity. The vote of thanks was offered by Shri Somnath Gautam, Asst. Teacher and CRCC, Sripanchami Himalee High School.

Shri Durga Prasad Upadhyaya, Principal of Sripanchami Himalee High School facilitated the entire program and played a vital role in its successful completion. Jiban Chetri, Joygasar Basumatary, Bijoy Kalita and Bikash Tosa of Aaranyak also attended the program.

This Gajah Katha series held in Sripanchami Himalee High School by Aaranyak came as request to organized program of Environment Education by the teachers of the school who attended the Teachers’ Training on Sustainability Education organized by Aaranyak in Nikashi High School on August 03, 2023.