ELEPHANT 911
MEET THE HEROES OF NORH BENGAL
THE KHUNIYA SQUAD
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24X7 on duty. That’s the simple job description for the Khuniya Squad in North Bengal. Their task? To drive elephants back to the forest from human-dominated landscapes before mayhem breaks loose. A mosaic of forest patches, tea gardens, and paddy fields, North Bengal is ground Zero for Elephant conflict. We join the squad on their nightly patrols and often get onto a life threatening situation with elphants all around in the dark.
About The Episode
Elephant human conflict has been going on in India for decades. Only now has it increased because of the shrinking forests and the expanding human habitation. North Bengal, with its fragmented habitat of tea gardens, human habitation, and paddy fields, is a hotbed of conflict. It kills over 100 people in West Bengal and a third probably in these parts. The motley group of 5-6 people manage herds of over 30-40 elephants every night playing with their lives each night. The film also attempts to redefine human animal “conflict” and “coexistence”.