Assam Launches Gaja Mitra Scheme in 8 Human-Elephant Conflict Districts

The Assam government has approved the implementation of the Gaja Mitra scheme in the eight most human-elephant conflict-prone districts of the state. The approval to launch the Gaja Mitra scheme was taken at a meeting of the Assam Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on 10 July 2025. 

The Cabinet also approved the increase of the remuneration of the Gaon Pradhans from Rs 9000 per month to Rs 14,000 per month, effective from 1st October 2025.

Districts Under Gaja Mitra 

Eight most human elephant conflict districts of the state where it will be implemented are - Goalpara, Baksa, Udalguri, Sontipur, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat and Biswanath.

Many villages in these districts have seen regular and frequent incursions of elephants in search of food. It has resulted in human elephant conflict that has led to loss of property, destruction of standing crops and fatalities amongst the humans and the elephants.

About the Gaja Mitra Scheme 

The Gaja Mitra scheme is an initiative of the state government to address the human elephant conflict due to the competition over land and food resources.

To deal with such conflict, the Assam government has launched the Gaja Mitra scheme.

The Gaja Mitra Scheme focus on voluntary community participation, the restoration of elephant habitat and the use of AI cameras to monitor elephant movements.

Community Based 

Under the Gaja Mitra Scheme, a community-based support system will be established that will help the state Forest Department in mitigating human elephant conflict.

A team of eight members of the affected village will be formed and properly trained to improve understanding of elephant behaviour, enhance community preparedness for potential encounters, and develop protective measures for crops.

They will be deployed at 80 identified locations for a period of six months, coinciding with the paddy cultivation period, during which the human elephant conflict is at its peak.

Use of AI

The state Forest Department has also installed artificial intelligence-powered (AI) cameras throughout the forest area where elephants frequently visit.

The camera detects the elephant's movement and alerts the nearby villages in real time.

Thus, the villagers can take proper measures to ensure that there are minimal or no human elephant interactions. 

Greening of Elephant Habitat

Elephants in search of food raid the standing crops of humans. To prevent such occurrences, the state government under Gaja Mitra aims to restore the traditional habitat of the elephants. 

More trees will be planted to restore the ecological balance and provide a source of food for the elephants.

This will also help in restoring the migratory routes for the elephants and avoid the need for the elephants to encroach on human settlements.