Agartala, March 3 Tripura Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma said on Tuesday that the state government will construct four "elephant passes" in Mungiakami, in the Khowai district, to allow for their free and safe movement.
Mungiakami, located at the foothills of the Atharamura range, has been designated as an elephant corridor. Two elephants were killed after being hit by speeding trains in the Mungiakami area in 2024.
"We are focusing on constructing at least four elephant passes at Mungiakami to ensure the free and safe movement of the elephant herd. The process of preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is underway," he told reporters here.
More such facilities will be constructed if required, the minister said.
Highlighting the need for a scientific solution to the conflict between humans and animals, Debbarma said that the forest department will advocate for separate provisions for protecting wild animals in the future, particularly in the context of large projects.
"We need to negotiate with companies undertaking large projects, whether it be railways or roadways, to rehabilitate villagers or animals and reduce conflict. The department has already taken up the issue with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change," he said.
Earlier in the day, he inaugurated a workshop on "Human-Animal Interaction".
"If the wild is affected, the entire ecological balance will be disrupted," the minister added.