How a Farmer From Assam's Baksa Found Peace Beside the Wild

During sleepless nights in Kore Bari village, which shares a boundary with Assam's Manas National Park, wild elephants, deer, and stray cows would intrude on the farms at night, ruining complete crops in a matter of hours.

"It was heart-wrenching," says Tarun Basumatary, who is a farmer from the locality. "We would work for months, and one night, nothing would remain."

Tarun farms around 10 bighas of land in Baksa district of Assam, planting crops such as peas and dhaniya (coriander). Like everyone else residing close to the Bhuyanpara Range of the park, he had grown used to loss—until last year, when a modest but effective intervention reversed it all.

Tarun, along with four other farmers, installed a solar-powered fence around their farms with assistance from Aaranyak, one of the country's prominent wildlife conservation non-governmental organizations. The sun-powered fence, extended across bamboo poles, is a non-lethal barrier that provides a secure haven from wild and domestic animals.

It does not harm them. The shock is light but enough to frighten them away," explains Tarun. "There is a gauge to regulate the voltage. We can change between low and high depending on what we require."

The outcome has been revolutionary.

"Before, we needed to protect our fields at night for months. No sleep at all. We would rotate, but we were tired. Now we can sleep soundly. There is no fear of elephants or deer anymore."

But the effect hasn't ended there. The fence has revived the local economy. What was once a hazardous and frequently thankless task is now a reliable way of earning one's living. Vendors now approach Tarun's doorstep to buy vegetables—something unprecedented earlier.

"We used to carry our produce to the Salbari market," he says. "Now people come to us. That's the difference this fence has made.

This intervention is also more balanced in its approach to conservation. The fencing does not close off traditional elephant corridors or wildlife movement pathways. Rather, it creates a respectful boundary—safeguarding human livelihood while letting animals roam. 

One of the most overlooked advantages has been social. During planting and harvest times, men in villages such as Kore Bari frequently slept in the fields to protect crops. Months of sleep loss caused families to break down, damaged health, and produced mental stress.

"Now we don't have to stay up all night anymore. We get to spend time with our children and families. It feels like we've got our lives back."

The fence is taken down prior to the monsoon, post-harvest. The bamboo posts are left behind to be re-wired for the upcoming season. It's a simple, sustainable, and scalable system.

What Is Solar Fencing?

Solar fencing is a solar-powered electric barrier system designed to deter animals—without harming them. It typically consists of a solar panel, battery, energizer, and insulated wires strung between wooden or bamboo posts. When an animal touches the fence, it receives a mild shock—just enough to discourage entry but not cause injury.

Low-maintenance and eco-friendly, solar fences are perfect for far-flung areas without constant electricity. They are particularly effective for guarding against elephants, wild boars, and stray cattle, and are gaining popularity among farmers in areas bordering forest and wildlife corridors.

A Fence That Supports Coexistence

In a world where the conflict between humans and wildlife typically makes the headlines, Tarun Basumatary's tale provides a welcome glimpse of equilibrium—a peaceful triumph forged from community action, conservation philosophy, and rural defiance.

From dread and exasperation to serenity and efficiency, this fence has done more than safeguard crops—it has rekindled hope.

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