In an attempt to deal with wild elephant menace in certain districts of Chhattisgarh, the State government has
drafted a five-year integrated plan under the State’s Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
Aiming to bring respite to people residing in affected areas, the Government has introduced Gajraj project and under this project, works to the tune of around Rs2.78 crore were carried out in seven forest divisions, including Jashpur, Balrampur, Surguja, Surajpur, Dharamjaigarh, Raigarh and Korba in financial year 2014-15.
Works undertaken under the project were construction of stop-dams, Anicuts and development of ponds.
Notably, to check elephant-human conflicts and ensure natural habitat to Tuskers, the Central Government has introduced “Project Elephant” and ensure requisite assistance under the project.
In financial year 2014-15, Union Ministry of Environment and Forest had allocated Rs60 lakh to Chhattisgarh. The allocated funds were utilised in habitat development, works carried out after elephant
menace and to undertake several initiatives in curbing attack by wild elephants.
As per the officials of Chhattisgarh Forest Department, the State Government has allocated Rs7.61 crore for development of elephant habitat under planning grant. Besides, the Chhattisgarh government is taking every possible step to check elephant-human conflict, including frequent organising of training camps and awareness campaigns in elephant affected forest divisions.