In the village of Hathikhuli Rongang, located in Assam, farmers long suffered from endless raids by herds of wild elephants on crops. However, today this same village grows Napier fruits and grass specifically for these animals.
Some time ago, darkness in Hathikhuli was associated with terror. Herds would break through fields, destroying harvests and sometimes taking lives. For local residents, survival became the priority before sleep.
A resident of the village recalls: 'We hated the elephants because we thought they hated us.' Fear turned people and elephants into enemies, and this happened not by choice, but due to circumstances. But the real reason was much more complex.
As forests disappeared due to road construction, elephants lost their ancient migration routes, and their food sources dwindled. Having no other option, the elephants headed directly into human residential areas.
Then came an idea that completely changed the situation. In 2018, conservation specialists Pradip Kumar Bhuyan and Binod Dulu Bora asked a simple question: what if the solution was not to scare away the elephants, but to feed them?
They named this initiative 'Hati Bondhu' (Elephant Friends). The concept was simple: to grow fodder for the elephants on specially designated plots so that agricultural lands could remain safe.
Local residents united and provided land. Over 66 acres were planted with rice, Napier grass, bananas, jackfruit, and other wild fruits that elephants love.
When the harvest ripened, something amazing happened. Using lanterns and patience, the villagers carefully led over a hundred elephants to the fields. For several days, the herds fed peacefully while farmers harvested their crops without interference.
Over time, the elephants learned the route. Raids on farms ceased. Fear gave way to trust. Today, more than 300 wild elephants safely pass through Hathikhuli every year. The village of Hathikhuli chose the path of coexistence, which fundamentally changed the lives of all participants. The 'Hati Bondhu' initiative created a vital solution for both the elephants and the villagers.