The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed in Meghalaya’s South-West Khasi Hills district have been given specialised training on handling encounters with wild elephants. The initiative aims to reduce the risks associated with the frequent crossings of elephant herds through security installations along the international frontier.
The training programme was conducted at the Gumaghat Border Outpost (BOP) under the 193rd BSF Battalion in Ranikor, and was organised jointly by the Meghalaya Forest Department and Aaranyak, a renowned wildlife conservation organisation based in the Northeast. A total of 33 BSF officers participated in the session.
With the elephant corridors in the area overlapping with border patrol routes, security forces are increasingly encountering wild elephants during routine surveillance. These close encounters, if not managed properly, can pose a threat both to the personnel’s safety and the well-being of the elephants, which are a protected species under Indian wildlife laws.
The training focused on equipping BSF personnel with a deeper understanding of Asian elephant behaviour, including the psychology of wild herds and how to interpret signs of stress or aggression. The sessions were led by Dr. Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar and Abhijit Baruah from Aaranyak’s Elephant Research and Conservation Division.
“Recognising early warning signs—like mock charges, loud trumpeting, or sudden halts—can help prevent a dangerous escalation,” explained Dr. Lahkar during his presentation. He emphasized that the goal was not only to prevent injury but also to foster respect for the animals and ensure conservation laws are upheld.
BSF personnel were also briefed on non-confrontational response techniques, such as maintaining safe distances, avoiding use of flashlights at close range, and allowing elephants to pass without interference.