Karikot, 4 August, 2026: Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) participated as a special guest organisation in the two-day India–Nepal workshop on Human–Elephant Conflict Mitigation and Human–Wildlife Coexistence, organised by the Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS). The workshop brought together stakeholders from India and Nepal to exchange field experiences, discuss conflict mitigation approaches, and strengthen community-based and cross-border collaboration.

Representing WTI, Archit Mishra (Sociologist) and Arun Kumar (Biologist), shared perspectives from our ongoing initiatives in the Terai landscape. The WTI team discussed both the sociological and biological dimensions of Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC), drawing on field-based experiences to provide participants with insights into the RRT–PRT response mechanism, community engagement, conflict mitigation, and coexistence-based approaches. The importance of organising regular community meetings and post-conflict reconciliation meetings conducted by the RRT–PRT team was also highlighted. The team further presented on the various community-based interventions implemented under the project, including the Predator Proof House Cluster (PPHC) and Aapka Prahari – Public Alert System (PAS), highlighting their role in reducing conflict risks, improving community preparedness, and promoting safer coexistence between people and wildlife.

Mr. Apoorv Dixit, DFO, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, India addressing the participants in the workshop

Emphasis was also placed on strengthening coordination between PRTs and Gaj Mitras, encouraging them to work together through timely information sharing, mutual support, and coordinated community-level responses during Human–Wildlife Conflict situations.

As part of the workshop, a group community-management activity was conducted in which participants from WTI, NEWS, and the Nepal team participated as the “Prakriti” group. The group discussed and presented perspectives on the present and emerging dimensions of HWC, possible future scenarios, and potential approaches for strengthening human–wildlife coexistence.

Attendees in the workshop included Mr. Apoorv Dixit, DFO, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, India, and Mr. Ashok Ram, Chief Warden, Bardiya National Park, Nepal, along with the SSB Commander and team, representatives from Ujyalo Nepal, WWF-India, DEHAT Organization, Gaj Mitra teams from India, and Hatti Mero Saathi teams from Nepal, as well as other stakeholders involved in Human–Wildlife Conflict mitigation and community engagement.

Participants in the workshop on human-wildlife conflict mitigation and co-existence organised by the Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS)

The programme concluded with a folk-song presentation by the Gaj Mitra and Hatti Mero Saathi teams, portraying the message of peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. The presentation added a strong community and cultural dimension to the workshop and reinforced the importance of local participation in promoting harmonious human–wildlife coexistence.

Mr. Dixit and Mr. Ram also felicitated the Terai Tiger Project team of WTI for its significant work in Human–Wildlife Conflict mitigation and promoting human–wildlife coexistence in Katarniaghat. The recognition acknowledged the team’s field-based efforts, community-focused interventions, and coordinated response mechanisms aimed at reducing conflict and strengthening coexistence between local communities and wildlife.

WTI’s Terai Tiger Project aims to bring together forest officials, scientists, local communities, and technology, to pave the way for safer shared spaces for both humans and wildlife. The project, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department is supported by the Chester Zoo.