Pernod Ricard India Foundation and WWF India aim to conserve the Asian elephant through effective human-elephant conflict management in Assam. The project will work across 150 villages in Kamrup, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Nagaon districts and train community members on effective situation management by developing a toolkit and forming anti-depredation squads, which would help them protect their property, crops, and lives.

The project will build on WWF India’s experience on human-elephant conflict management in Assam, developed over the last two decades. These measures include the use of anti-depredation squads, innovative and low-cost fences, and diverse awareness raising measures. Some of these measures undertaken with the active participation of local communities and the Assam Forest Department have demonstrated the potential to ensure the safety and well-being of local communities and the endangered Asian elephant.

Talking about the program, Thibault Cuny, MD and CEO, Pernod Ricard India, said,“Creating a positive impact on the environment and the community that we are a part of, is a responsibility we take very seriously and we measure our growth, not only through the economic value we generate but also through the value and gains, that we create for our society and environment. Pernod Ricard’s Global Sustainability and Responsibility Roadmap 2030 outlines a clear path for us to protect and nurture our terroir; by focusing on biodiversity preservation. We are happy to partner with WWF India in this program which will help create long-term convivial relationship between humans and elephants to drive a larger restorative co-existence.”

Speaking about the partnership, Dr. Dipankar Ghose, Director, Wildlife and Habitats, WWF India, said, “We welcome Pernod Ricard India Foundation’s support to conserve elephants and reduce conflict in four districts of Assam. The Asian elephant is the largest terrestrial species in India and requires vast stretches of forest and open land. This partnership will help secure the populations of Asian elephants in Assam by working closely with local communities and the Forest and Railway departments of the state.”