Bhubaneswar, February 8: Implementation of a structured, roster-based system for community volunteers, particularly Gaja Sathis and Bidyut Praharis, massive wildlife awareness drive and 24x7 oversight of wildlife movements were some of the proposals submitted at a stakeholders’ workshop on mitigation of human-animal conflict was organised by the Forest Department on Saturday at the Lok Seva Bhavan here.

Presiding over the session via video conference, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia observed that the human-animal conflict will be prevented through 24x7 oversight of wildlife movements.

He proposed the implementation of a structured, roster-based system for community volunteers, specifically targeting the roles of Gaja Sathis and Bidyut Praharis.

To ensure the strategy was grounded in reality, the Minister engaged directly with field volunteers sharing firsthand challenges, addressed concerns raised by MLAs joining the workshop from various districts, and integrated the specialised perspectives of representatives of various NGOs.

The workshop featured insights from Prem Kumar Jha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, who addressed the participants on various initiatives of the State Government to prevent the human-animal conflict.

Dr. Manoj V. Nair, Additional PCCF (Wildlife), delivered a detailed presentation on human-wildlife conflict in Odisha. Dr. Nair emphasized that a "comprehensive action plan" is now in place, noting that periodic reviews have already led to visible improvements in human-elephant conflict scenarios.

The workshop concluded as a collaborative forum, bringing together protection squads and grassroots workers to refine the State's response to wildlife encounters and ensure the safety of both local residents and the state's biodiversity.