Chief Minister honored forest workers who did excellent work in managing human-elephant conflict and protecting elephants
Raipur (VNS). Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai today released the book 'Gajrath Yatra - Part 02' based on the public awareness campaign of Jashpur Forest Division at the Chief Minister's camp office in his home village Bagiya in Jashpur district. This book documents the efforts and innovative activities being undertaken by Jashpur Forest Division to reduce human-elephant conflict, protect elephants and increase public awareness in the affected areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Jashpur is a region rich in forest wealth and biodiversity. Ensuring safe coexistence between humans and wildlife is crucial. Raising public awareness about elephants' natural behavior and their roaming areas can help reduce human-elephant conflict. He stated that forest and wildlife conservation, along with public safety, is the government's priority. Praising the "Gajrath Yatra," the Chief Minister said it is an important initiative to raise awareness and alert local communities in elephant-affected areas. The active role of local communities, along with the Forest Department, in such efforts helps strengthen human-elephant coexistence.

Collector Mr. Rohit Vyas, Divisional Forest Officer Mr. Shashi Kumar, District Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mr. Abhishek Kumar, along with officials from the Forest Department and District Administration were present on this occasion. The
"Gajrath Yatra" is reaching villages and schools.
For the past few years, the Jashpur Forest Division has been conducting various activities in elephant-affected areas to reduce human-elephant conflict and educate villagers about safe behavior. The "Gajrath Yatra" is a comprehensive public awareness campaign launched in this direction. Through this campaign, villagers, students, and the general public are being reached in elephant-affected villages, schools, and public places to educate them about the natural behavior of elephants, their habitat, food, and roaming areas. People are also being made aware of maintaining a safe distance from elephants, avoiding unnecessary close approaches in their presence, and immediately reporting to the Forest Department in case of an emergency. The campaign aims to dispel misconceptions and fears about elephants and develop a scientific, sensitive, and practical approach towards them. Its objective is to minimize the potential for conflict, ensuring the protection of elephants while safeguarding rural communities.
A journey of conservation and public awareness documented in "Gajrath Yatra - Part 02."

"Gajrath Yatra - Part 2" comprehensively compiles various efforts being undertaken by the Jashpur Forest Division to manage human-elephant conflict and conserve elephants. The book highlights public awareness programs, the role of rural communities, engaging students in wildlife conservation, and activities that encourage safe behavior with elephants. The book also underlines the message that awareness and cooperation between local communities and ordinary citizens, along with the Forest Department, are crucial to effective wildlife conservation. Especially in elephant-affected areas, timely information, caution, and community coordination play a crucial role in protecting both humans and elephants.