Khowai district recorded 188 man-animal conflict cases in Tripura during 2025-26, marking a sharp rise in elephant incursions. The government has expanded compensation, surveillance, GPS tracking, anti-depredation squads and community-based measures to reduce wildlife conflict and protect affected families.
Man-animal conflict has emerged as a growing concern in Tripura, with Khowai district recording 188 incidents during 2025-26, according to figures placed before the Tripura Legislative Assembly. The sharp increase has renewed concerns over the movement of wild elephants into villages and agricultural areas, particularly in Kalyanpur subdivision.
Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma disclosed the figures in a written reply to a question raised by Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman in the Assembly on August 27. The data showed that Khowai has witnessed a significant rise in man-animal conflict cases after recording a decline in the previous financial year.
Khowai reported 151 incidents during 2023-24. The number fell to 134 in 2024-25 but increased sharply to 188 in 2025-26. The latest figure represents an increase of 54 cases compared with the previous year and 37 cases compared with the 2023-24 level.
The situation is particularly serious in areas where villages, farmland and forest habitats overlap. Kalyanpur subdivision has remained among the worst-affected areas, with wild elephants frequently entering human settlements in search of food. Such incursions can result in extensive damage to standing crops, houses and other property. In some cases, encounters between people and wildlife have also resulted in loss of human life.
The district-wise figures presented in the Assembly indicate that Khowai accounted for the overwhelming majority of reported cases in Tripura during 2025-26. South and Sepahijala districts recorded three incidents each, while North district reported one. No cases were reported from Dhalai, West, Gomati or Unakoti during the same period.
Alongside measures aimed at preventing conflict, the state government has continued providing financial assistance to families affected by wildlife-related incidents. In Khowai, 175 families received a total of Rs 27,68,350 in compensation during 2025-26. In comparison, 137 families received Rs 3,47,500 in 2023-24, while 142 families received Rs 3,19,000 in 2024-25.
Other affected families also received assistance during 2025-26. One family in North district was provided Rs 4 lakh, while another family in South district received Rs 6,167.
The government has adopted several measures to address the increasing challenge and improve the protection of both people and wildlife. These include the creation of water bodies and salt licks in forest areas, installation of solar-powered street lights, deployment of hidden infrared camera traps and establishment of conflict prevention camps in areas vulnerable to elephant movement.
Anti-depredation squads have been strengthened with wireless communication systems to improve coordination during emergencies. Watchtowers and tree houses have also been constructed at strategic locations to help forest personnel monitor elephant movement and respond to incursions.
Community participation has also become a key component of the government’s strategy. Local villagers are being engaged as guards and observers, enabling authorities to receive quicker information about wildlife movement. Vehicles have been provided for patrolling, rescue operations and emergency transportation of injured people.
Quick Response Teams have received specialised training to deal with wildlife emergencies. GPS radio collars have also been fitted on wild elephants to help forest authorities track their movements and understand their routes. Searchlights, torches, firecrackers and unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, have been procured to support surveillance and conflict-response operations.
The state is also conducting integrated elephant censuses to assess elephant populations and monitor their movement patterns. These efforts are intended to improve planning and help authorities identify areas where preventive measures are most urgently required.
Forest enrichment activities are another part of the long-term strategy. Bamboo plantations and Assisted Natural Regeneration are being undertaken to improve forest habitats and reduce pressure on resources near human settlements. Chain-link fencing has also been constructed in vulnerable areas to limit crop damage and prevent wildlife from entering residential zones.
The Forest Department is additionally conducting Wildlife Week programmes and awareness campaigns to encourage conservation and promote safer coexistence between local communities and wildlife.
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The sharp rise in Khowai’s conflict figures, especially in elephant-prone areas around Kalyanpur, highlights the continuing challenge of balancing human safety, agricultural protection and wildlife conservation. The latest data also points to the need for stronger early-warning mechanisms, greater community participation and faster response systems in vulnerable villages.
With elephant incursions becoming an increasingly important concern in Khowai, sustained monitoring and coordinated action by forest officials, local communities and response teams will remain crucial to reducing future incidents and protecting both human livelihoods and wildlife.
