WILDLABS logo

WILDLABS logo

Funding Opportunity /  2 July 2023

Innovation wanted: Technology Testing to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict in West Bengal

JICA, Japan’s International Cooperation Agency is seeking a digital partner with a proven track record in conservation technology as we launch a pilot project to test technologies to mitigate human-elephant conflict in Jhargram, West Bengal in partnership with the West Bengal Forest Department. The budget ceiling is $70,000 and the technology may be implemented for scaled deployment at the state level upon successful completion.

Deadline: 2 July 2023 - the deadline has passed.

Hirari Sasaki

Hirari Sasaki

Working for India's Forestry and Biodiversity Sector as a country officer of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Groups

Background

The state of West Bengal in India is home to a significant population of wild Asian elephants. However, human-elephant conflict (HEC) incidents in the state are on the rise, posing a significant threat to both human life and elephant conservation efforts. The conflict is driven by several factors, including habitat loss, human encroachment, and changing land use patterns. Elephants often stray from their natural habitats in search of food, water, and shelter, which brings them into contact with human settlements and agricultural lands. This frequently leads to conflict situations where elephants damage crops, property, and even attack humans, resulting in fatalities. In 2021-2022 alone, the state saw 77 lives lost, 190 individuals injured, and crop damage surpassing 40 million hectares in aggregate.

 

Call for Innovation

The situation demands innovative solutions that can prevent the conflict and ensure the safety of both humans and elephants through a rapid response. In collaboration with the West Bengal Forest Department (WBFD), JICA is actively seeking a visionary digital partner as we launch a Proof-of-concept (PoC) to test technologies and inform WBFD's data strategy. The selected digital partner will be entrusted with implementing their advanced technology solution, complemented by an integrated database of HEC information. This collaboration will not only enhance the efficiency of the HEC mitigation efforts but also inform future data management strategies, ensuring sustainable wildlife conservation in the long run. 

 

Target Location

Jhargram, West Bengal, India. For further details about the animal habitat, people’s perception of elephants, and community involvement in the area, visit the RFP on our project page.

 

Eligibility (excerpts)

  • Has experience in offering solutions to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in India or other similar regions
  • Proposed solution focuses on conflict prevention and/or conflict response
  • Proposed solution has been tested at other sites

 

Primary scope of work

  • PoC Design: Needs assessment, developing WBFD’s data utilization plan, testing/validating the solution, finalizing roll-out strategy, and monitoring/evaluation plan localization
  • PoC Implementation: Solution roll-out, adaptation, and localization
  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring and evaluation, ongoing support and maintenance, reporting

 

Budget ceiling

USD 70,000 including all taxes and expenses, however negotiable. Additional in-kind support will be provided by WBFD. 

 

Selection Timeline (Tentative)

  • Closing date of submission: July 2, 2023, at 20:00 Japan Standard Time
  • Selection: July 3 – July 28, 2023
    • Week 1: Screening and shortlisting of candidates
    • Week 2: Interview and deep-dive discussion with the candidates
    • Week 3: Candidates to revise proposals, if relevant
    • Week 4: Evaluate the revised proposal
  • Award notice: In the first week of August
  • Signature of contract: By mid-August

 

How to apply

To apply, view the RFP on the JICA DXLab website. We are also planning to host an information session on June 26, 2023, JST. To attend the session, sign up for the event here.

 

About JICA

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), an implementing agency for Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA), believes that cooperation with developing countries in the digital age needs to change fundamentally. JICA DXLab is JICA’s open-source mechanism to facilitate co-creation with Digital Partners to transform ODA projects with digital technology and innovation.