Friends of Hati Bondhu
Mike Pandey
Award Winning Wildlife Filmmaker & Environmental Activist
“Hati Bondhu’s strategy to avoid man-elephant conflict is undoubtedly the most effective and successful programme I have seen in the country or even in Africa. Tireless efforts and motivation provided by one man, Pradip Bhuyan, brought the communities together not only to put their shoulders in a joint community effort, but they also offered their ancestral land to create the most amazing buffer of lure crops between their crops and the wild elephants. Enabling smooth harvesting… No loss of life has been reported since the beginning of this unique project. The entire credit goes to Pradip Bhuyan’s Hati Bondhu — the passion and dedication of one man whose tireless commitment has resulted in saving human lives and property. A viable solution that can be replicated in man-animal conflict areas across the country. A viable solution and a win-win for man and India’s elephants.”
Brigitte Uttar Kornetzky
German-Swiss Writer, Artist & Environmental Filmmaker
“We all are here to help unfold the divine purpose of nature only. This is done by pure heart and love for the elephants and nature. And, it depends on the collaboration of the brave villagers who have put enormous efforts and believe into it. The villagers have shown all the same big love, compassion and trust for their elephants, and believed the guidance by Pradip Bhuyan Sarabjan sir and Roon Bhuyan, and by Dulu Bora & Meghna Hazarika who do the fantastic work in the field. God bless your all good spirits. May this project be an example for all the conflict areas inside the country of Assam and across borders, and reunite people who struggle about their crops with love and compassion for elephants and nature. I have never seen such a successful and loving project before. Elephants do remember us.”
Papon
Singer & Composer
“Till the day I went to stay at the Hati Bondhu Camp, I didn’t realize how unique and effective it is, what they have done! My friend Roon’s father, Mr Pradip Bhuyan, has been tirelessly working to find solutions for man–elephant conflicts at the age of 85, along with local wildlife activists like Dulu Bora. And what they have achieved in 3 years is no less than a miracle! There has been literally no conflict and loss of life in just such a short period of an idea and a project taking off! The villagers who would almost hate elephants for the loss of their crop and the mess they thought the elephants created are now “Hati Bondhus” – friends of the elephants! As much as I read about stuff around the world, this design is so unique and fruitful that it should surely be adopted by all other places in India where there is man–elephant conflict. The villagers willingly give one crop to the elephants annually, and the elephants in return come down to their designated area only and leave after they eat their favorite paddy. They no more head towards the rest of the land or the village! And in just a short period of 3 years, the elephants acknowledged this gesture by the villagers! It’s no less than a miracle. I am so happy to be a part in motivating Hati Bondhu volunteers to do more and convince other areas to do the same, which they plan to now. Hope I can help in any way. Roon Bhuyan and Dulu Bora to augment what Pradip Bhuyan uncle envisioned.”
Sanjay Upadhyay
Senior Advocate, Hon’ble Supreme Court Of India
“For me, Hathi Bondhu is not a program but a movement led by the octogenarian, activist, social worker, environmentalist, naturalist, philanthropist… Shri Pradip Bhuyan. A movement where Dulu Bora, Roon Bhuyan, the Osom Educational Trust have played a key role and framed the rightly coined “Elephant Haven Habitation Project”. It is my fortune that I have been associated with the program since its inception more as a well-wisher and a policy guide and seeing it grow from a humble program to a movement that has now attracted global attention. The policy makers, the Forest Department of Assam, the MOEF & CC are all aware of the program in such a short span of time. I wish this program becomes a flagship movement in the history of elephant conservation in India where tradition, culture, ecology, music, and wildlife science all merge into a coalition of efforts to save these magnificent and gentle giants — symbolically the Lord Ganesha.”