In the hilly, forest-fringed regions of Bangladesh, the once-delicate balance between humans and elephants has steadily unravelled into a dangerous struggle for survival.

As elephants trample crops and, at times, cause tragic human fatalities, humans retaliate with electric traps and gunfire, leading to an alarming number of elephant deaths. 

Against this backdrop of escalating tension, the government has embarked on a dual-pronged strategy aimed at creating a safe distance between the two species.

A Vision in Two Parts

To reduce this conflict and restore harmony, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is advancing with two key plans—restoration of forest lands and the promotion of eco-tourism. 

Through these initiatives, the government seeks not only to mitigate environmental and climate crises but also to ensure elephants roam safely within their natural habitats.

Stakeholders believe that, beyond resolving human-elephant tensions, eco-tourism holds the promise of yielding significant economic dividends for the country.

Inspiration from Turkey

In realising these ambitions—especially in the realm of eco-tourism—Bangladesh is keen to draw upon Turkey’s experiences and best practices.

This intention was revealed during a meeting on May 27 at the Panthapath Water Building, where Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, held discussions with a delegation led by Turkish Ambassador to Dhaka, Ramis Şen.

Elderly woman killed in wild elephant attack in Sherpur

A Trail of Tragedy

The first five months of this year alone have borne witness to a string of harrowing incidents—elephants perishing and humans falling victim to elephant attacks.

On January 5, an elephant was found dead in the deep forest of Harikhola, a protected area within the Hoikkang Range of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. 

Not long after, on January 18, the body of a baby elephant was recovered from the same reserved forest.

On February 12, yet another elephant fell victim to a deadly electric trap in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar.

According to locals, the trap had been laid to protect nearby tobacco fields.

March brought another grim revelation. Initially believed to have died of illness, an elephant was later confirmed—through post-mortem examination—to have been shot. 

Just a week earlier, in Ukhiya’s Jumchhari reserve forest, witnesses reported seeing a wild elephant collapse, vomiting blood.

Then, on March 20, in the Garo Hills of Nalitabari, Sherpur, yet another elephant met a tragic end—electrocuted by a wire trap near a paddy field.

After a brief lull, the conflict surged back into the spotlight last week, this time claiming human lives. 

In Gazni of the Garo Hills, two people lost their lives within a span of 90 minutes following an elephant attack, sparking widespread panic in the locality. 

The Forest Department promptly advised residents to remain indoors after dark and maintain heightened vigilance.

Despite repeated discouragement from the Forest Department, the grim cycle of retaliatory violence continues. In the desperate tug-of-war for safety and survival, both human and elephant lives hang precariously in the balance.

Will Eco-Tourism Disrupt the Wild?

Given that ecotourism naturally increases human footfall in forest regions, questions have arisen about whether such ventures might inadvertently disrupt the very habitats the government seeks to protect.

Professor Dr M Monirul H Khan, a zoologist at Jahangirnagar University and an authority on wildlife conservation, addressed these concerns. 

He said, “Eco-tourism does not imply opening the entire forest or hilly terrain to humans. In most countries, only 10 to 20 percent of the forest area is accessible to tourists, while the rest remains untouched.”

Dr Khan believes that ecotourism will not pose a significant threat to wildlife preservation if appropriate boundaries and controls are established. 

He advises that the government must prioritise the security of elephant habitats when implementing ecotourism plans.

“Elaborate demarcation and strict regulation are essential. If done carefully, eco-tourism can indeed benefit local communities without causing ecological harm.  Some disruption may occur in specific zones due to eco-tourism, but the resulting economic upliftment of local people can counterbalance it. If managed properly, everyone—humans and animals alike—stands to benefit,” he added.

Seasonal Tensions

Commenting on the timing of human-elephant confrontations, Dr Khan explained, “These conflicts predominantly arise during the harvest season, particularly when paddy is ripe. Elephants raid the fields for food, while farmers fight to protect their hard-earned crops.”

He attributed the rise in elephant deaths to the increasingly lethal methods employed by locals. 

“Previously, people used fire or spears to drive away elephants. But in recent years, high-voltage electric traps have become more common. These kill elephants when they1 unknowingly touch electrified wires laid around farmland," Dr Khan mentioned. 

He emphasised that the use of such deadly methods must be eradicated. “Law enforcement and the Forest Department must act decisively to curb these dangerous practices.”

Traditional deterrents might be permissible, but the use of electricity must cease entirely, he insisted.

Towards Sustainable Forest Management

Adviser Rizwana echoed Dr Khan’s sentiments, identifying deforestation and food scarcity as root causes of the ongoing strife. 

She stressed the urgent need for effective, sustainable forest management.

During her recent meeting, she sought Turkey’s technical support for tree planting with appropriate species and the development of nature-centric tourism initiatives.

Ambassador Şen, in turn, lauded Bangladesh’s commitment to protecting its natural resources. 

He said Turkey’s aid agency, TİKA, is already active in Dhaka and ready to support medium-scale, environmentally friendly projects.

The bilateral dialogue concluded with a pledge from both sides to collaborate closely on practical and swiftly implementable projects in forest restoration and eco-tourism.

Besides, the government plans to establish ecotourism sites in scenic regions such as Sylhet, designed to leave the lightest possible footprint on the environment.

Call for Native Afforestation and Public Awareness

Dr Khan also drew attention to the critical importance of planting native tree species. “If the government undertakes reforestation in hills or forests, it must ensure the use of local flora. Public awareness is equally crucial in this regard.”

He reiterated the broader objective of elephant conservation.

Safeguarding Elephant Habitats

Efforts to protect elephants must go beyond preventing direct attacks, Dr Khan asserted. “Human activity has increasingly encroached upon the elephants’ natural habitats. Once, they roamed freely in the hills while people farmed in the plains. That balance has been lost.”

He noted that some locals now clear hilltops to grow vegetables, while others farm fish in stagnant hill waters—further fragmenting the elephants’ range.

Dr Khan believes that curbing such agricultural encroachments is vital. 

“We must secure the elephants’ natural habitats at all costs. Particularly on government-owned land—under the Forest Department’s jurisdiction—no farming should be allowed. Wetlands must be preserved as wetlands, not converted into fish farms. The natural ecology of the hills must remain intact," he said. 

He also called for timely compensation for farmers whose crops are damaged by elephants. “Ensuring such reparations is essential. We must consider the well-being of both humans and wildlife.”