Arunachal Records World’s Highest Elephant Presence, Unveils Plan to Tackle Human Wildlife Conflict

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded an extraordinary ecological finding, with elephants observed at elevations above 3,000 metres above sea level , marking what is described as the highest known elephant presence anywhere in the world . The discovery comes from a detailed assessment conducted by WWF India (World Wide Fund for Nature) and the state Forest Department, highlighting both the ecological uniqueness of the region and the growing challenge of human wildlife conflict .

The findings were released in Itanagar through a report titled Managing Human-Elephant Conflict in Arunachal Pradesh: A Strategy and Action Plan, presented by advisor to the Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Wanglin Lowangdong . Officials described the report as timely and crucial, given that elephant related conflict continues to affect communities across the state.

The statewide assessment, carried out between December 2024 and March 2026, is the first comprehensive effort to map elephant distribution , conflict hotspots, habitat pressures and landscape connectivity across Arunachal Pradesh. It also provides the first baseline data on crop damage, property loss and human casualties linked to elephant movement, compiled through forest department records and consultations with local communities.

The report identifies habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation as major drivers pushing elephants into human dominated areas. It recommends stronger compensation mechanisms for affected families, improved conflict response systems, and community led conservation models to ensure safer shared landscapes for both people and wildlife.

Experts involved in the study emphasised the importance of maintaining ecological corridors. WWF India ’s national lead for elephant conservation, Dr Aritra Kshettry , noted that fragmented habitats increase the likelihood of encounters between elephants and humans, and stressed that connectivity is key to reducing conflict.

State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, P Subhramanyam , also underlined that human elephant conflict has become a serious concern and that long term coexistence must be the guiding approach.

The report further calls for deeper scientific research and evidence based planning. It suggests that with sustained intervention and local participation, Arunachal Pradesh can emerge as a model for managing human elephant coexistence in rapidly changing landscapes.