National Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan of India 2021-2026

Human-wildlife conflict is becoming more common because people and wildlife are increasingly competing for the same resources. The report notes that growing human populations and rising demand for land, water and natural resources are degrading and fragmenting wildlife habitats. As forests become smaller and more disconnected, interactions between people and wildlife are increasing, leading to more frequent conflict situations.

Human-wildlife conflict affects both people and animals. Such conflicts can lead to crop damage, livestock losses, injuries, deaths and damage to property. The report also highlights the emotional trauma experienced by affected communities. Wildlife is also harmed through retaliatory killings, habitat degradation and disturbances caused by conflict situations. 

Human-wildlife conflict can threaten conservation efforts and development goals. The report warns that the shift from coexistence to conflict can undermine biodiversity conservation and hinder the achievement of national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

To address these challenges, the report proposes five strategic priorities: (i) addressing the causes of conflict, (ii) reducing pressures on wildlife habitats, (iii) improving information and data systems, (iv) reducing impacts on humans and (v) wildlife and strengthening institutions and financial support mechanisms. 

Many species involved in conflict play a vital ecological role. Several animals commonly involved in human-wildlife conflict are described as keystone and umbrella species. These species help maintain ecosystem balance and support ecosystem services that communities depend on. Their decline can have long-term ecological and social consequences. The HWC-NAP proposes species-specific guidelines for conflicts involving elephants, leopards, snakes, crocodiles, bears and other wildlife species, along with an Implementer's Toolkit to help agencies carry out conflict mitigation measures more effectively. 

The strategy promotes coexistence rather than separation. The HWC-NAP is built around the idea of harmonious coexistence where both people and wildlife are protected from conflicts. The report argues that conflict mitigation should balance conservation needs with human well-being and promote solutions that are effective without harming wildlife populations.

Human-wildlife conflict requires landscape-level planning. The strategy focuses on a landscape approach, recognising that wildlife movements often extend beyond administrative boundaries. As a result, conflict cannot be addressed effectively in isolated locations. It recommends a landscape level planning that considers entire ecological regions rather than individual conflict sites.

Local communities must play a central role in conflict mitigation. The strategy emphasises participatory planning and implementation. It recommends involving local communities, government agencies and other stakeholders in crucial decision-making and ensuring that mitigation measures are sensitive to the needs of vulnerable groups, including women and economically weaker sections. 

The first phase of implementation focuses on building capacity. The period from 2021 to 2026 is designated as a capacity development phase. During this period, states are expected to establish monitoring systems, develop state-level action plans and create institutional mechanisms to coordinate conflict mitigation efforts. The HWC-NAP views capacity development, cross-sectoral coordination and alignment with existing policies and plans as essential for achieving sustainable and harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. 

There is no single solution to human-wildlife conflict. The report states that different regions, species and communities experience conflict in different ways. It therefore recommends testing and evaluating mitigation measures scientifically to determine which approaches are most effective, economically viable and acceptable to local communities. This goal emphasizes optimization of a single or a mix of multiple measures and critical assessment of mitigation effectiveness through rigorous scientific design.

Focus and Factoids by Anurima Biswas.