Human Wildlife Conflict: Causes & Consequences

The Kerala government has launched a 45-day new intensive mission to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the State. Additionally, Supreme Court Judges launched the NALSA Scheme for victims of Human-Wildlife Conflict.

What is Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)?

Human-wildlife conflict occurs when encounters between humans and wildlife lead to negative results, such as loss of property, livelihoods, and even life.
It is a serious global threat to sustainable development, food security, conservation, and health that is negatively affecting both people and wildlife and hindering the achievement of many SDGs and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Human-wildlife conflict is recognised as a global concern in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

Population pressure and encroachments: Rising human population pushes settlements closer to protected areas, increasing encounters.
Habitat loss & fragmentation: E.g. In the Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong landscape (Assam), highways and tea plantations have fragmented elephant corridors, leading to frequent crop raids and human deaths.
Decline in the quality of forest habitats, largely due to the cultivation of alien plants — mainly acacia, mangium and eucalyptus — in forest tracts for commercial purposes.
Changing agri-practices were also responsible for drawing animals, which do not find enough fodder in their habitats, out of forests.

Human impact: HWC causes significant loss of life and injury. E.g. An estimated 344 people lost their lives in incidents of human-wildlife conflict across Kerala between 2021 to 2025.
Economic toll: Crop loss, livestock depredation, and property damage translate to large financial losses for farmers. Farmers lose 10–15% of annual yield to crop-raiding species like elephants, nilgai, wild boars, and monkeys.
Wildlife at risk: Animals are frequently killed—either in accidents or retaliation—undermining conservation.
Fiscal burden: E.g. Kerala alone spent ₹79.3 crore in 6 years on compensation and protection measures.

National Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan: Issued by MoEFCC, focuses on early warning, preventive measures, quick response, and capacity building.
CAMPA Funds are used for afforestation, waterholes, and habitat improvement to reduce pressure on human areas.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Development of Wildlife Habitats and Project Tiger, where financial assistance to States/UTs is provided.
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Buffer areas around protected areas to regulate human activities and reduce conflict.

Strengthening habitat connectivity: Re-developing corridors connecting habitat and sensitising people on how to deal with animals.
Focus on coexistence: Promote the idea of coexistence, not the elimination of species. Integrate HWC mitigation into development planning, urban design, and smart cities.
Scientific Land Use Planning: Where unavoidable, ensure mitigation structures like underpasses, overpasses, and canopy bridges.
Building Barriers: E.g. Use solar-powered fencing, bio-fencing (chilli, cactus), and beehive fences to deter elephants.
Early Warning Systems: Develop and implement early warning systems to alert communities about animal presence in the vicinity. Use technology like motion-sensor cameras and GPS tracking to monitor their movements.