Siliguri, 14th December: A three-day Hathi Bandhu Mela commenced on Friday at the Bagdogra Range Office, initiated by the Kurseong Forest Division in collaboration with the voluntary organization Jumbo Group.
The event aims to mitigate human-elephant conflicts and promote alternative agriculture among farmers. Several stalls have been set up at the fair to provide information and resources.
Debesh Pandey, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kurseong Forest Division, highlighted that the fair seeks to prevent human-elephant conflicts while encouraging farmers to diversify into activities like fish farming, vegetable cultivation, and beekeeping alongside paddy farming.
The event also aims to raise awareness about elephants and the challenges they face due to shrinking forest areas and expanding human settlements.