In a bid to ease the man-elephant conflict, the Centre is planning a scheme of planting crops on elephant corridors, which elephants do not feed on. This was informed at a discussion on the problem on man-animal conflicts during the foundation day celebration of the Assam Academic Centre (AAC) at the Radha Kanta Handique Bhavan here yesterday. Senior Forest Officer and wild animal research scholar Ranjan Das said that human encroachment and shrinking habitat was resulting in increased conflict between humans and animals, the world over. "In Asom, the man-elephant conflict has assumed mammoth proportions and the Centre is mulling the scheme of vast plantations on the encroached elephant corridors, which the elephant will not be interested in as food,' Das said. "At present, planting paddy along these corridors are only luring the elephants to invade farmlands after they get a taste of the crop made so easily available,' he further said. Praising the habits and nature of these wild beasts, Das said that humans should study the elephants and their habitats in order to get an understanding of these huge animals. "In ancient times, the number of pachyderm was almost double of what it is now, but man and animal lived in peaceful co-existence,' he said. Film director and documentary maker Gautam Saikia showed his film, A Friend Turned Foe. At the meeting, Saikia also shared his experiences on wildlife while making the film. Saikia blamed it on man for the present state of conflict. Dr Arun Chandra Theria, veterinary doctor, shared his experiences while treating animals. Panchanand Borthakur, president, Assam Academic Centre (AAC), delivered the welcome address, while Biman Sharma, secretary, AAC, stated the aims and objectives. Dr Nabin Bordoloi presided over the meeting.