Over 160 villages located near Manas National Park in Assam participate in an annual lottery that funds upkeep of solar-powered electric fences to keep rampaging elephants off crop fields and homes, reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
An unconventional form of community engagement is quietly reshaping the conservation landscape in Assam’s Manas National Park, where elephants roam and forests whisper tales of ancient wisdom. It’s not through protests or petitions but via an unexpected avenue: a yearly lottery.
This isn’t your typical raffle. Residents of more than 160 villages, home to farmers, participate in this ritual that transcends mere chance. Their stakes? The safeguarding of solar-powered electric fences along the park’s western frontier, a barrier against the marauding giants of the jungle.
Each year, a flurry of anticipation grips the villages as residents gather for the lottery, either on a local playing field or at a nearby school. With cash prizes beckoning, the event draws eager participants from far and wide.
“This entices villagers with the promise of collective responsibility and tangible rewards,” said Tiken Chandra Ray, the founder of Manas Nature Conservation Welfare Society and a resident of Saurang village in Chirang district.
In 2022, the lottery surpassed expectations as Rs 5 lakh was collected. After accounting for prizes — between Rs 500 and Rs 80,000 for nine winners — and the ticket printing expenses, Rs 1.3 lakh was saved.
The funds generated from ticket sales not only sustain the lottery itself but also pay for the upkeep of the electric fences and the caretaker’s salary. It is a lifeline for volunteers dedicated to safeguarding their villages from the ever-looming spectre of human-wildlife conflict.
The park, spanning over 950 sq.km in the foothills of the Himalayas south of Bhutan, is a treasure trove of floral and faunal diversity. Named after the Manas river, which flows gently through its lush green landscape, the sanctuary is known for its Big 4 — elephant, rhinoceros, tiger and buffalo.
Indigenous communities such as the Bodos and other tribal groups, residing in villages bordering the park, have coexisted harmoniously with nature for centuries. However, human population and wildlife have increased in recent decades, forcing people and animals to compete for food and other forest resources, leading to a deadly conflict.
Efforts to mitigate these conflicts include the establishment of buffer zones and the construction of physical barriers like electric fences. The first fence was rigged in 2011, a modest endeavour spanning just four villages. However, initial efforts faltered as wooden posts succumbed to the might of elephants, highlighting the critical need for ongoing maintenance. The advent of the second fence, stretching 15km, aided by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Chester Zoo, heralded a new era of resilience.
Ray meticulously documented the aftermath, revealing a stark contrast — a reduction from 50 to 10 hectares of land damage and a decline in human fatalities since the fences were installed. There were two human casualties in 2020, and one each in 2021 and 2022. One death resulted from an accidental breach when the maintenance worker forgot to power the fence, allowing an elephant to cross without a deterrent shock. The other two occurred inside the jungle, as villagers trespassed for fuelwood or grazing, violating wildlife laws.
Ray says it has been an uphill battle to sustain these protective barriers amidst the backdrop of escalating human-wildlife conflicts. It was a daunting task initially to convince villagers to pay the Rs 20 monthly fee per household across 160 fenced-in villages, needed for the maintenance worker’s Rs 6,000 salary.
“Only three villages willingly contributed,” said Indramohan Devdutta from Eknong Sikajhora village. To cover shortfalls, some villagers incurred personal expenses beyond Rs 20.
In response, Manas Nature Conservation Welfare Society and two fence committees aided by WTI proposed an ingenious solution: a lottery. Still, hesitations lingered.
“I contributed Rs 2,000 in the initial lottery, expecting reimbursement from the game’s proceeds,” Ray said.
As resistance loomed large, Eknong Taurang village committee mandated every household to purchase Rs 500 worth of five lottery tickets. Without exception, residents acquired the tickets.
In a bold move this year, the mandate has been rescinded. Instead, people are empowered to purchase tickets at their discretion, ranging from one to five. As an added incentive, those who excel in ticket sales receive a complimentary entry, with proceeds contributing directly to the cause.
“The cash flow from ticket sales isn’t just funding our efforts, it’s fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment within our communities,” Ray said.
Indeed, beyond the surface allure of lottery winnings lies a deeper commitment to conservation and collective action. With each ticket sold, villagers are not just investing in their future but actively shaping it, one number at a time.
The lead image at the top shows an elephant and a calf at the Manas National Park in Assam. (Photo by Subhra Dhar)
Aatreyee Dhar is a Village Square Fellow 2023-24. She works as an independent journalist in Assam.
