The United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the International Union for Conservation of Nature have launched an action plan to prevent further deaths from wild elephant attacks at the Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp.
At least 10 refugees, including young children, have been killed in such incidents at the camp.
The camp lies along the migratory route between Myanmar and Bangladesh used by the critically endangered Asian elephants, the UNHCR said in a statement.
The ‘tusk force’ will install watch-towers at key lookout points around the settlement and organise an Elephant Response Team to raise an alarm if elephants enter the camp. The programme will also set up elephant routes and corridors so refugees know what areas to avoid during an incident. It will also implement an awareness campaign regarding the risks.
“This partnership is critical not only to ensure the conservation of elephants, but to protect refugees, a number of whom have tragically already lost their lives,” said Kevin Allen, UNHCR’s head of emergency operations in Cox’s Bazar district.
According to bdnews24, the project is part of wider initiatives by the organisations to mitigate the environmental impact of the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
They also plan to raise awareness among refugees and locals about the importance of forest resources and ways to improve the environment in the refugee camps and the surrounding areas.
Project leaders will also advocate for reforestation efforts in the area.