Project Edible Forest aims to mitigate the alarming rise in Human-Elephant Conflicts (HEC) due to habitat loss, climate change, and lack of resources such as food, water and various other factors.
Recognizing both humans and elephants as victims, our team utilize the expertise in farming, system design, social work and environmental science to create sustainable, non-violent solutions.
Our Philosophy
Rooted in the philosophy of non-violence, our project addresses human-elephant conflicts through peaceful and innovative methods. While utilizing beehive fences to deter elephants without causing them harm, we ensure a humane approach to conflict resolution. This initiative also embodies Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Grama-Swaraj, fostering rural self-reliance.
We provide training in product development to the local community, including marginalized individuals, ensuring community involvement. This training supports economic independence and contributes to the sustainability and scaling up of our project. Our efforts also focus on protecting crops and promoting beekeeping, aligning with our overarching goals. Harmony with nature is the foundation of our approach, ensuring a balanced coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Global Approach
Edible Forest Project aims to achieve comprehensive sustainability through poverty alleviation, food security, economic growth, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation.
Our holistic approach promotes long-term ecological balance and community resilience, promoting harmony between people and nature.
The project aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) such as:
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No Poverty
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Zero Hunger
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Decent Work & Economic Growth
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Climate Action
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Life on Land
Human-Elephant Conflicts: An Overview
According to National Institute of Health, the human-elephant conflict in India annually results in
400
Human Fatalities
(605 reported last year) Approx
100
Elephant deaths
India, home to over 27,000 wild Asian elephants, faces the complex challenge of human-elephant conflicts. These conflicts have profound consequences for both humans and elephants. As human populations grow and encroach upon traditional elephant habitats, the frequency and severity of these encounters have escalated, leading to significant economic, social, and ecological impacts. Farmers are particularly affected, as their fields become battlegrounds where their livelihoods intersect with the elephants' survival, resulting in severe consequences such as loss of life, injuries, and psychological trauma.
1 Million
Hectares of crop destruction affecting 500k families
15k
Property Damages
Additionally, elephants moving through human-dominated areas cause property and infrastructure damage, heightening stress and anxiety among communities.
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The economic burden on affected families is substantial, often pushing them deeper into poverty. Traditional deterrents are frequently ineffective, leading to increased hostility towards elephants. The urgency to find sustainable and humane solutions has never been greater.
​Current Measures & Challenges in Human-Elephant Conflict Prevention
Various measures have been adopted to combat HEC, guided by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change's 2017 gazette guidelines. These measures fall into four categories: barriers, anti-depredation squads, repellent methods, and deterrent methods. However, most methods are violent, unsustainable, exacerbate human-elephant aggression, or have limited effectiveness in the long term.
Use of firecrackers
Can injure elephants and human, cause noise pollution, fire hazards, frightens and stresses elephants, potentially leading to aggression.
Trenches
Can cause injuries or fatalities to elephants, wildlife, and humans, alters natural soil structure and drainage patterns, Disrupts local ecosystems and habitats.
Human Patrolling
High risk of confrontations endangering both patrollers and elephants, requires extended periods away from home.
Electric Fencing
Can cause serious injuries or fatalities to elephants, wildlife and human, costly to install and operate, requires meticulous maintenance.
A notable exception is beehive fencing, a harmonious, sustainable, and effective deterrent method successfully used worldwide.
Beehive Fencing
Project Edible Forest integrates 'beehive fencing' into an economically sustainable social innovation initiative nurturing harmony, sustainable livelihoods, and long-term ecological restoration. This method has proven successful in safeguarding crops from elephant damage while emphasizing the crucial role of bees in biodiversity, food security, and reducing carbon footprint.
It utilizes beehives suspended on wires around agricultural areas to harness bees' natural deterrent effect, protecting crops, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Impact & Success Story
This approach has significantly reduced crop losses and increased community resilience to human-elephant conflicts. A standout success is the pilot project at the rice fields of Pakkam, a village in Kerala's Wayanad district surrounded by biodiverse riparian forests. Pakkam heavily relies on agriculture, especially rice cultivation, and faces frequent human-elephant conflicts.
Since December 2023, beehive fencing has effectively diverted elephants from fields. Implemented near the forest boundary, our pilot beehive fencing project has ensured that despite multiple occasions of elephant raids in the vicinity, the fields protected by beehive fencing remain untouched. This nature-based solution underscores our commitment to creating an ecosystem that is economically viable, socially sustainable, and inclusive, preserving ecosystems for future generations.
Uniqueness and Contributions of Project Edible Forest
01.
01.
Reduction of Human - Elephant Conflict
Beehive fences are highly effective in reducing human-elephant conflicts. Elephants are naturally averse to the buzzing sound and potential stings from bees, which makes them avoid areas protected by beehive fences. When elephants encounter these fences around agricultural areas, they are discouraged from entering and damaging crops. This non-violent, sustainable solution protects both the crops and the elephants, promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. Additionally, the use of beehive fences promotes a sense of security among local farmers, reducing the need for aggressive measures such as firecrackers and electric fencing. This encourages more harmonious interactions with the environment, as farmers can rely on a natural deterrent to safeguard their livelihoods.
03.
Forest Health Enhancement
Improving forest health is crucial for reducing human-animal conflicts. Healthy forests sustain wildlife habitats, reducing elephants' need to encroach into human areas for resources. Beehive fences support forest vitality by boosting bee populations essential for pollination and ecosystem balance. Elephants play a crucial role as ‘engineers of the forest,’ shaping habitats that support a diversity of species and fostering ecological resilience.
05.
Economic Sustainability
Our system design incorporates innovative economic strategies, such as the sale of artistic representations and merchandise, to sustain our initiatives financially. This approach encourages global participation and contributions, ensuring long-term success and expansion. By supporting local economies and engaging global markets, we promote harmony between nature and human activities through efficient resource utilization.
02.
Community Empowerment and Involvement:
Our approach empowers communities through workshops and training, promoting sustainable practices and stewardship. We tailor solutions, cultivate responsibility, and provide craft training that supports livelihoods. Research ensures effective practices, promoting collaboration to address human-animal conflicts and promote a respectful relationship with wildlife.
Inclusive Sustainability, Empowering:
Local Community
Artists
Marginalised
Communities
Youth
Women
04.
Reduction of Carbon Footprint
Beehive fencing deters elephants without harm, reducing crop damage and enhancing food security. Bees aid in pollination, resulting in better yields for farmers without increasing pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, bees support forest recuperation and promote biodiversity, soil fertility, and ecosystem health. By replacing carbon-intensive methods like the use of firecrackers and electric fencing, and through all these combined efforts, the project significantly reduces its carbon footprint.
06.
Global Contributions to Ecosystem Stewardship
Organizations and individuals from around the world contribute to our project's success by supporting our economic initiatives and advocating for sustainable practices. Their involvement demonstrates a collective commitment to preserving biodiversity and promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife. Each contribution plays a vital role in safeguarding ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Nurturing Sustainable Coexistence
Scaling up our initiative is crucial to amplify its impact on human-elephant conflicts and environmental degradation. Expanding our beehive fencing efforts reduces crop damage, enhances food security, and significantly lowers carbon footprint as an alternative to carbon-intensive methods. This approach supports biodiversity, improves soil fertility, and promotes ecosystem health.
By strengthening community empowerment, promoting sustainable practices, and leveraging global support, we aim to build a world where humans and elephants thrive harmoniously. Your support helps maintain beehive fences, crucial in reducing conflicts, enhancing forest health, and promoting ecological balance. Together, we can promote a harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife, ensuring long-term sustainability and community well-being.
Project Edible Forest's scaling plan involves four phases:
Finally, Phase 4 seeks to cover all remaining conflict areas in India and explore further expansion opportunities, ensuring long-term sustainability and adaptability.
Support Avenues: Contribute to Harmony with Nature
Support the journey towards sustainable coexistence. Participation in this initiative makes a difference in community welfare and wildlife conservation efforts. Purchasing products designed by artists and made by local artisans and community members helps ensure the sustainable scalability of the project. This initiative contributes to saving lives by mitigating human-elephant conflicts, protecting crops, promoting community development, and enhancing biodiversity. Together, we can create a harmonious ecosystem that benefits both humans and wildlife, preserving our natural heritage for future generations.
Media Highlights
Project Edible Forest on Mathrubhumi News: Pioneering Sustainable Agriculture
Jun 15, 2024
