Documenting life along traditional Elephant Pathways

Over several days, the Ground Up mission travelled through Dhenkanal and Angul Forest Divisions, listening to the voices of those living and working closest to elephants.

The visit began in Dhenkanal Forest Division, approximately 120 km northwest of Bhubaneswar. With its extensive forests and traditional elephant corridors, Dhenkanal offered a close look at the realities of coexistence. Traveling from village to village, the mission met Indigenous communities, local residents, forest officials and elephant squads, documenting stories of resilience, adaptation and the everyday realities of sharing space with elephants. Then continued about 60 km southwest to Angul Forest Division, one of Odisha's principal human-elephant conflict landscapes, where the focus shifted to the work of frontline teams responsible for monitoring elephant movements, responding to conflict and helping communities navigate life alongside elephants.

A key part of the field mission was understanding how the Odisha Forest Department is combining technology with community engagement to reduce conflict. The mission observed artificial intelligence enabled early warning systems, drone-based monitoring, solar fencing, solar lighting, elephant-proof trenches and community-led early warning networks, each contributing to safer landscapes for both people and elephants.

They also reached beyond the forests. Visits to local schools explored how conservation awareness can be strengthened among young people, while accompanying night patrol teams offered first-hand insight into the dedication, coordination and commitment required to monitor elephant movements after dark.

Looking Ahead

Ground Up is built on a simple belief that the most impactful conservation stories begin in the field. In the months ahead, the initiative will continue to document experiences from elephant landscapes across Asia, sharing practical lessons, local perspectives and examples of coexistence with a wider conservation community.

The IUCN SSC Centre for Species Survival Asian Elephant extends its sincere appreciation to the Odisha Forest Department, its field personnel, elephant squads and the communities of Dhenkanal and Angul for their partnership, generosity and support throughout the inaugural mission.

The Centre also welcomes collaboration with conservation organisations, researchers, practitioners and institutions interested in contributing stories, knowledge and field experience to Ground Up as it continues to grow across the Asian elephant's range.