KVIC Rolls Out Project RE-HAB To Prevent Elephant – Human Conflict

• 16 Mar 2021

On 15^th March, 2021 the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), has launched Project RE-HAB of creating “bee-fences” to mitigate human – elephant conflicts in the country.

• The pilot project was launched at four locations around village Chelur in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
• These spots are located on the periphery of Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve and prone to human-elephant conflicts.

Objective

• The objective of Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant – Human Attacks using Bees) is to thwart elephant attacks in human habitations using honey bees and thus reducing loss of lives of both, humans as well as elephants.

About Project RE-HAB

• Project RE-HAB is a sub-mission under KVIC’s National Honey Mission.
• While the Honey Mission is a programme to increase the bee population, honey production and beekeepers’ income by setting up apiaries, Project RE-HAB uses bee boxes as a fence to prevent the attack of elephants.

How will it Work?

• The bee boxes are connected with a string so that when elephants attempt to pass through, a tug or pull causes the bees to swarm the elephant herds and dissuade them from progressing further. Bee boxes have been placed on the ground as well as hung from the trees to block the passage of elephants.
• It has been scientifically recorded that elephants are annoyed and even frightened of honey bees. Elephants fear that the bee swarms can bite their sensitive inner side of the trunk and eyes. The collective buzz of the bees is annoying to elephants and it forces them to return.
• Elephants, who are the most intelligent animal and carry their memories for long, avoid returning to the place where they have encountered honey bees.

Advantage

• The biggest advantage of Project RE-HAB is that it dissuades elephants without causing any harm to them.
• It is extremely cost-effective as compared to various other measures like digging trenches or erecting fences.