In a sobering update, the Union Ministry of Environment has reported that human-elephant conflicts have led to 2,853 human fatalities over the past five years. The year 2023 saw the highest number of casualties in this period, with 628 deaths attributed to such conflicts. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for effective management strategies and interventions.

Responding to a parliamentary query in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, detailed the annual fatalities caused by elephant encounters. The numbers were as follows: 587 deaths in 2019, 471 in 2020, 557 in 2021, 610 in 2022, and 628 in 2023. These figures reflect a troubling trend of increasing human fatalities due to conflicts with elephants.

Regional Breakdown

The data highlights significant regional disparities in the impact of human-elephant conflicts. Odisha reported the highest number of fatalities, with 624 deaths over the five-year period. Jharkhand followed with 474 deaths, while West Bengal experienced 436 fatalities. Assam recorded 383 deaths, Chhattisgarh had 303, Tamil Nadu saw 256 deaths, Karnataka recorded 160, and Kerala reported 124 fatalities.

Government Response and Initiatives

The central government has underscored that the primary responsibility for managing wildlife habitats, including those of elephants, lies with state governments and Union Territories. However, the central administration has been proactive in providing financial and technical support under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Project Tiger & Elephant. This scheme aims to bolster the protection of elephants, their habitats, and corridors, address human-animal conflicts, and support the welfare of captive elephants.

In February 2021, the Ministry issued a comprehensive advisory to tackle human-wildlife conflicts. This advisory emphasized the need for coordinated inter-departmental actions, the identification of conflict hotspots, adherence to standard operating procedures, and the establishment of rapid response teams to manage such conflicts effectively.

Building on these efforts, in June 2022, the Ministry released guidelines for states and Union Territories focusing on managing human-wildlife conflicts, including damage to crops. These guidelines advocate for cultivating crops in forest fringe areas that are less attractive to wildlife. Additionally, they recommend agroforestry models incorporating cash crops such as chilies, lemongrass, and Khus grass, mixed with tree and shrub species to reduce wildlife encounters.

Protection of Elephant Corridors

The Ministry has made substantial progress in safeguarding elephant habitats. In collaboration with state forest departments, the Ministry has ground-validated 150 elephant corridors across 15 elephant range states. These corridors are crucial for the safe movement of elephants and their protection is essential for reducing human-elephant conflicts. The Ministry has urged states and Union Territories to take necessary measures to conserve these corridors.

Infrastructure Impact Mitigation

To address the impacts of infrastructure on wildlife, the Union Power Ministry issued guidelines to all Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) and Transmission Companies in September 2022. These guidelines aim to mitigate the effects of power transmission lines and other infrastructure on elephants and other wildlife. This move is part of a broader effort to minimize the risks associated with wildlife interactions with human infrastructure.

Railway and Power Sector Coordination

Recognizing the risk of train accidents involving elephants, a permanent coordination committee has been established between the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Environment. This committee is tasked with developing strategies to prevent elephant deaths caused by train collisions. Additionally, regular inter-ministerial meetings are convened to address issues related to accidental deaths of elephants due to train hits and electrocution.

Capacity Building and Awareness

The government has also focused on capacity building to enhance the management of elephant reserves and minimize conflicts. Several workshops have been conducted, including those on “Mainstreaming Management of Elephant Reserves” and “Minimizing the Impact of Railways on Elephants and Other Wildlife.” These workshops aim to equip officials with the knowledge and tools needed to manage human-elephant conflicts and improve wildlife safety across power infrastructure.

The recent data on human-elephant conflicts highlights a critical issue that demands urgent and sustained action. The rising number of fatalities calls for continued vigilance and enhanced measures to ensure the safety of both humans and elephants. The coordination between various government ministries, state authorities, and local communities will be crucial in mitigating conflicts and fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.