Assam launches mobile app 'Haati' to reduce human-elephant conflict, and resulting deaths

In the Indian state of Assam, where human-elephant encounters have become increasingly dangerous, a new mobile app called Haati has been launched to help reduce the number of fatalities arising out of incidents involving wild elephants.

Assam, which is known for its large elephant population, as per reports, has been grappling with rising incidents where both humans and elephants have been killed. The reason behind this is the shrinking habitatand encroachment on the animals' natural corridors.

Haati app

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As per BBC, the Haati app will serve as an early warning system, alerting people when wild elephants are nearby, so they can take necessary precautions and get out of the way.

The app does more than just warn people. It also includes a feature where victims or their families can fill out a form to apply for compensation from the government in cases of injury or death due to elephant attacks.

The app has been developed by Aaranyak, a biodiversity organisation in northeast India, in response to the alarming number of deaths caused by these encounters.

It was officially launched on August 10 and has been developed with backing from the SBI Foundation.

Bibhuti P. Lahkar, the head of the Elephant Research and Conservation Division of Aarankak, as quoted by The Hindu, said, "The app will contain the ex gratia application form against damages caused due to depredation by wild elephants."

"We will submit the filled-up ex gratia application form to the forest division concerned on behalf of the victims of human-elephant conflicts to compliment the Assam Forest Department's efforts to pay compensation," he added.

Human-elephant conflicts

Between 2020 and 2024, encounters with wild elephants were responsible for the deaths of 1,701 people across India, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

These encounters hurt both humans and animals. According to the WWF, less than 50,000 Asian elephants are left in the wild in India.

In addition to the app, Aaranyak has introduced a handbook on solar-powered fences, a tool proven effective in keeping elephants away from human settlements. The handbook, written in Assamese, provides detailed guidance on installing, managing, and maintaining these fences. According to the organisation's spokesperson, the British Asian Trust and the Darwin Initiative support the creation of this handbook.

(With inputs from agencies)