Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Hathi Bandhu Mela Promotes Human-Elephant Coexistence
The Hathi Bandhu Mela is a three-day fair started by the Kurseong forest division and an NGO called The Jumbo Troops.
It aims to help humans and elephants live together peacefully.
The fair lets villagers sell things like honey, pickles, and crafts.
It also teaches people how to protect their crops from elephants and how to rescue elephants.
There are cultural performances and sports too.
The fair has helped reduce the number of people hurt by elephants.
Last year, 10 people died, but this year, only 5 have been hurt so far.
The fair also offers free vaccinations for livestock.
Hathi Bandhu Mela is a three-day fair to promote human-elephant coexistence, organized by Kurseong forest division and The Jumbo Troops.
The fair encourages villagers to adopt alternative crops and sell products like honey, pickles, paddy, handicrafts, and local cuisines.
Awareness programs on elephant rescue and crop protection measures are included in the fair.
Human deaths due to elephant attacks have decreased from 10 in 2024 to 5 in 2025 within the Kurseong forest division's jurisdiction.
The fair features cultural performances, traditional sports, and free livestock vaccinations.
- Who
- Kurseong forest division and The Jumbo Troops
- What
- Inauguration of Hathi Bandhu Mela, a village fair to promote human-elephant coexistence
- When
- Sunday, December 2024
- Where
- Bagdogra range office premises
- Why
- To reduce human-elephant conflict and encourage villagers to adopt alternative crops
- Event Name
- Hathi Bandhu Mela
- Organizers
- Kurseong forest division and The Jumbo Troops
- Duration
- Three days
- Location
- Bagdogra range office premises
- Human Deaths in 2024
- 10
- Human Deaths in 2025 (so far)
- 5
- Alternative Crops Encouraged
- Yes
- Products Sold
- Honey, pickles, paddy, handicrafts, local cuisines