Assam to study revival of wild elephant domestication to reduce human-elephant conflict
The Assam government is considering the revival of 'mela shikar', a traditional method of capturing wild elephants, to mitigate human-elephant conflicts. Officials are also increasing compensation for victims of such conflicts.
Why it matters
Balancing wildlife conservation with human safety and agricultural protection is a significant environmental and social challenge.
The Assam government may weigh the pros and cons of reviving the practice of capturing wild elephants for captive use or domestication to check human-elephant conflict.
Forest and Environment Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah told journalists on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) that the 126-member Assembly discussed conflicts between humans and animals, specifically elephants and monkeys.
“We received certain suggestions to resolve the crisis across the State. We have more suggestions by July 20, so that we can prepare a standard operating procedure to guide future action by July 22,” he said.
Mr. Mallabaruah said reviving mela shikar was among the suggestions.
The term in Assam refers to a traditional method of catching wild elephants for captive use or domestication. The practice involves mahouts riding on trained captive elephants ( koonkies ) to track, encircle, and lasso a targeted wild elephant.
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