Status of elephant corridors in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya

Author: Sengchu N Sangma, Yojna Lal, Clint Sones and Afaq Majid Wani

Wildlife corridors translate as strips of habitat or movement pathways that connect or disconnect a place of habitat. Wildlife corridors facilitate animal movement between habitat patches; and in the process, maintain the long-term demographic and genetic viability of elephant populations. It is adequately recognized that demographic isolation and lack of genetic viability could be a threat to elephant population with extinction risks. Considering this, securing elephant corridors remains a central strategy for elephant conservation in the country. In the present study, three corridors namely Siju-Rewak, Rewak-Emangre and Balpakram-Baghmara of South Garo Hills district from the state of Meghalaya were studied on the status and conservation potentials. Balpakram-Baghmara had the largest forest area and also the highest reported elephant population; Rewak-Emangre was more impacted by agriculture and settlements and Siju-Rewak, despite having the smallest forest area, faced the least agricultural and habitation pressures. Siju-Rewak had the highest number of villages and households dependent on forests, indicating significant human impact. Effective conservation strategies, including infrastructure adjustments and stricter controls on resource extraction, are essential to maintain the ecological integrity of these corridors.