Far North: Forestry minister deploys eco-guards to address human-elephant conflict.

The animals are said to have been migrating into populated areas, causing crop destruction, property damage, and, in some cases, human fatalities. 

According to the Minister Ndoret Ndongo, the initiative involves the deployment of a specialised team of 30 eco-guards, who will be tasked with monitoring the movements of elephants, preventing them from entering human settlements, and raising awareness about wildlife conservation among the local population. 

The eco-guards, the minister instructed, will operate primarily in the localities of Kalfou, Moulvoudaye, and Mindif, which lie on the borders of Kalfou National Park, where a good number of elephants in the region dwell.

The primary objectives of the operation, part of the statement read, is to reduce the direct risks to human lives by preventing elephant incursions into settlements and to address the broader issue of wildlife conservation. 

Minister Doret Ndongo equally emphasised on the importance of protecting both the elephants and local communities, acknowledging that human-elephant conflicts have been a persistent issue in the region.

“Most of these elephants come from the vast Waza reserve in Logone and Chari. They migrate seasonally in search of food, water, and other essential resources. However, this movement brings them into direct conflict with the human population, leading to crop damage, destruction of homes, and at times, fatal encounters,” the minister had earlier explained in a release regarding the conflict.

The eco-guards will also focus on preventing the illegal exploitation of natural resources, such as poaching and illegal logging, which further threaten both the elephants and their habitat.

According to experts, the movement of these animals has been intensified as a result of environmental factors such as floods and droughts, which have been exacerbated by climate change. 

These shifting weather patterns, sources say, have disrupted the natural patterns of elephant movement and further strained the already fragile balance between wildlife and human settlements.

Another critical challenge cited is the ongoing encroachment on forest reserves and elephant migration corridors by expanding human populations. 

We gathered that the more people settle in areas that were once prime elephant habitats or vital migration routes, conflicts are becoming increasingly inevitable. The loss of natural habitats due to human activities like farming, logging, and infrastructure development is forcing elephants into closer contact with human communities.

It should be noted that the instructions from the minister followed a recent meeting between the irate population and the Governor of the Far North Region.

In response to the escalating tensions, the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife has also authorised more direct action, including the controversial culling of an elephant deemed particularly aggressive. On January 6, the governor of the Far North region approved the killing of any stranded elephant in the village. The population responded 24 hours later by killing one of the pachyderms caught destroying their crops.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3338 of Tuesday January 14, 2025