Human–wildlife conflict refers to negative interactions between humans and wildlife that result in the loss of life, property, or resources.
Due to the increasing human population, it is almost inevitable that humans will encroach on the natural habitats of the animal kingdom. As a result, many countries have included human-wildlife conflict mitigation as part of their national environmental team.
Definition of Human-Wildlife Conflict
Human–wildlife conflict is defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as “any contact between humans and wildlife that results in negative impacts on human social, economic or cultural life, the conservation of wildlife populations, or the environment. “
The IUCN SSC Human–Wildlife Conflict Task Force describes human–wildlife conflict as conflicts that emerge when the presence or behaviour of wildlife poses a real or perceived, direct and recurring threat to human interests or needs, leading to Disagreement and negativity arising between groups. People. Impact on people and/or wildlife.
Why is human-wildlife conflict increasing?
As human populations and demands for space continue to grow, people and wildlife increasingly interact and compete for resources, which may lead to increased human–wildlife conflict.
Along with other threats, human-wildlife conflict has led to the decline of once-abundant species and is pushing others to the brink of extinction. However, the issue of human-wildlife conflict has far-reaching implications beyond wildlife and the communities immediately affected by it. Human–wildlife conflict focuses on interactions between wildlife and humans, with human–wildlife coexistence strongly linked and important for sustainable development activities. If not managed effectively, human-wildlife conflict has the potential to negatively impact these activities and conservation more widely.
Who is affected by human-wildlife conflict and how?
Wildlife and the communities living around it are most directly affected by human-wildlife conflict. While human-wildlife conflict can result in species decline and possible extinction, communities may suffer financial losses and threats to health and safety, livelihoods, food security and property. The costs of living with wildlife are unevenly distributed and fall disproportionately on communities that often face systemic barriers and have incomes well below the poverty line and access to few economic opportunities, while the global community benefits from healthy wildlife populations and a healthy ecosystem. Allow. We. Survive, provide food and enable livelihoods.
Therefore, human-wildlife conflict is as much a development and humanitarian issue as it is a conservation concern, affecting the incomes of farmers, herders and artisanal fishermen – especially those whose incomes are below the poverty line. In addition to directly harming communities, human-wildlife conflict indirectly affects people around the world through pressure on global supply chains and the production of agricultural commodities, leading to food insecurity and reduced productivity among producers. Is.
Why are current strategies not completely adequate to deal with human-wildlife conflict?
Current strategies and solutions do not match the scale of the problem and management measures are often implemented piecemeal, focusing mainly on conservation only. Despite the global nature of the problem, there is a lack of coordinated and sufficient support from the many other sectors and organizations that are affected.
The Scope of the Problem
- India houses significant populations of endangered wildlife like Asiatic lions, tigers, and elephants.
- Between 2020 and 2021, human-animal encounters resulted in nearly 450 human and 87 elephant deaths.
Causes of Conflict
- Human factors: Habitat loss, resource competition, lack of awareness, and illegal wildlife trade drive animals towards human settlements.
- Animal factors: Adaptation to changing environments, population fluctuations, and inherent behavioural characteristics contribute to interactions.
Impact of Conflict
- Humans: Economic losses, food insecurity, physical harm, social tension, and weakened conservation efforts.
- Animals: Habitat loss, increased mortality, stress, genetic mixing, and disease transmission.
Government Actions
Wildlife Protection Act, protected areas, anti-poaching initiatives, and crop insurance schemes are existing measures.
The Way Forward
- A comprehensive policy, as suggested by the High Court, is crucial to address this multi-faceted issue.
- Collaboration between government, conservationists, researchers, and local communities is key.
- Bridging the gap between human needs and animal welfare through habitat restoration, education, and sustainable practices is essential.
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