Human-wildlife conflict refers to the negative interactions or conflicts that arise when human activities intersect with the natural behaviour and habitat of wildlife.

Human-Wildlife Conflict Impacts on Livelihoods, Economy, and Food Security

• Livelihood and Economic Losses: For instance, studies estimate that farmers in some regions of India experience annual crop losses of up to 20%.
• Negative Perceptions of Wildlife: According to a survey conducted in India, 40% of respondents expressed negative perceptions of wildlife, associating them with threats to agriculture and human safety.
• Human Casualties and Injuries: In 2020, India recorded approximately 800 reported cases of human injuries caused by wildlife attacks, with the majority occurring in conflict-prone regions.
• Displacement and Relocation: Over the past decade, an estimated 100,000 people in India have been displaced or forced to relocate due to human-wildlife conflicts, resulting in social and cultural disruptions in affected communities.
• Impaired Food Security: Due to crop destruction and livestock loss. 

Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Strategies, Compensation Programs, and Community Engagement

• Physical Barriers: Fencing, trenches, or barriers to prevent wildlife access to human settlements or agricultural areas. 
• Non-lethal Deterrents: Use of noise devices, visual deterrents, or guard animals to discourage wildlife from approaching human settlements.                                                                      
• Lion Lights Project: LED lights placed around livestock enclosures in Kenya to mimic human presence, deterring lions and reducing livestock predation.
• Compensation and Insurance Schemes: For losses suffered by farmers due to wildlife damage.

• Snow Leopard Trust Compensation Program: Herders in Central Asia receive compensation for livestock losses caused by snow leopards, promoting conservation and reducing retaliatory killings.

• Community Engagement: For better understanding and implementation of mitigation strategies.

      CASE STUDIES

       Kerala model:

• Changes in agriculture pattern. For example, coffee, pepper, and tea plantations, where elephants have little interest.
• Fixed boundaries between wilderness and civilization.

Gir Forest model:

The forest department has launched a pilot project of speed monitoring system (use of camera, radar and LiDAR) that will give vehicle drivers real-time alerts about wild animals crossing the road so that the speed can be reduced to save their lives.

• Habitat Restoration and Corridor Creation: Enhancing habitat connectivity and creating buffer zones to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
• Policy and Legal Frameworks: Governments enact policies and regulations to address human-wildlife conflict.

Conclusion

Human-wildlife conflict necessitates a balance between conservation goals and the needs of communities living close to wildlife. The resolution lies in fostering coexistence through innovative, locally tailored strategies that prioritize both human welfare and wildlife conservation.

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