NAVIGATING THE EDGE
“UNDERSTANDING AND MITIGATING HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT IN A CHANGING WORLD”
By Anju M Nair
Research Fellow, Thanal
Kerala, known as “God’s Own Country,” famous for its rich biodiversity that encompasses verdant forests, serene backwaters, and vibrant wildlife is however facing challenges due to various anthro-pogenic interventions. This picturesque landscape with harmonious coexistence between humans and animals in the past, is now under strain due to Human- Animal conflicts. The increasing frequency of human-animal conflicts in Kerala has garnered attention in recent times, prompting stakeholders to come up with sustainable solutions that preserve both wildlife and livelihoods.
In the past, the forest areas in Kerala had plenty of edible indigenous vegetation and water holes. During summer, elephants, wild boars, deer, and monkeys used to come here in search of food and water,and during the advent of monsoon they returned to their home forests. This traditional migration continued for centuries and both humans and wildlife coexisted peacefully for years. Tribal communities, which comprise 1.45% of the total population of the State (2011 census)1 used to live in hamlets within these forest areas. The incidents of human-wild animal conflicts were low and the amount of loss was affordable in the past.Later on, settlers from various parts came and the Later on, forest area gradually became settlements. Increased population density and changes in the landscape and cropping pattern increased the incidents of human-wildlife conflicts in the region. According to statistics, the human, as well as wild animal population, has gone up over time while forest vegetation depleted drastically over the past years. Invasive species such as Lantana and Eupatorium have dominated some patches of forest in Kerala. Infrastructure development for residential, tourism, and coffee plantations changed the landscape. Crop raiding incidents by Indian Spotted Deer (Axis axis), Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), and Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata) became frequent.
Consequently, animals began to venture into human settlements in search of food and shelter, resulting in crop raiding, property damage, and occasionally, human casualties.
Tragically, retaliatory killings, accidents involving trains or electric fences, and conflicts with farmers have claimed numerous elephant lives. For instance, in 2021, the death of a pregnant elephant after consuming a pineapple stuffed with firecrackers sparked nationwide outrage, shedding light on the severity of human-induced threats to wildlife. In 2024, Thaneer Komban, the rogue tusker from Karnataka, who was captured by forest officials in Kerala by administering tranquilizer shots, died in Bandipur to capture attention.
On the other hand, wildlife-induced human threats also raise concerns. The information received across different states showed that 605 people were killed in the human-elephant conflict alone in 2022-23(Down to Earth). Instances of leopards straying into residential areas have been reported, triggering panic among locals.
At present in Kerala, managing man-animal conflict is the responsibility of the forest department, which acts as per the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972. In a significant move, the Kerala cabinet declared instances of man-animal conflict as a state-specific disaster. The decision was taken considering the recurring incidents of loss of lives in human settlements due to attacks by wild animals, especially elephants.
It takes a multifaceted strategy that incorporates ecological, social, and economic viewpoints to address human-animal conflicts. To protect natural habitats and reduce conflict, conservation measures that prioritize wildlife corridors, habitat restoration, and land-use planning are essential. Furthermore, early warning system implementation like installing sensor-based alert mechanisms may assist in alerting communities ahead of time to animal movements so they can take precautionary action. Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of wildlife through campaigns and eco-tourism projects can help cultivate a culture of empathy and tolerance for wildlife. Over time, conflicts can be reduced by easing communities’ reliance on natural resources through the provision of alternative livelihood options, sustainable agricultural methods, and education on wildlife behavior.