Angul: The KVIC, State Office, Odisha is implementing a pilot project, RE-HAB (Reducing Elephants Human Attack Using Bees) in Angul District in association with Athamallik, Forest Division.
Under this project beehives have been placed on elephant passages around village Laxmipur and Village Rathipur in Angul district under Athamalik Forest Division.
CCTV and trap cameras are placed to observe the reaction of elephants to the presence of bees on theirs path.
It has been empirically established that bees can be effectively used to prevent human-elephant conflict to save the lives of elephant and humans as well as the crops.
If the Project at Laxmipur and Rathipur become successful in preventing elephants entering into the village then it will be extended to other villages vulnerable to elephant attacks.
Samir Kumar Mohanty, the State Director, KVIC and B Anand, DFO, Athamalik Forest Division along with the officials of KVIC and Forest Department visited Laxmipur village on Monday and interacted with the villagers.
They advised them to take care of bee colonies in the ensuing rainy season when maintenance of beehives are very much necessary to prevent Bees from abandoning the hives.
Ms Kalinga