Impact and Mitigation of Human-Elephant Conflict Around Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) around Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India, poses significant threats to both conservation and rural development, with crop raiding by elephants perceived as a more severe risk than wild buffalo or rhinoceros. A study involving 140 households in 29 villages revealed that HEC is primarily nocturnal and seasonal, peaking in winter, and mitigation efforts are largely reliant on traditional methods like shouting and burning tires. Villagers, who view elephants as sacred, expressed a desire to stay in their communities despite the conflict. While government compensation policies were known to only 40% of respondents, those aware criticized them as inadequate. Farmers recommended solar-powered electric fencing and improved compensation as key solutions. Effective mitigation strategies must engage local communities, build trust, and address perceptions of success to align with UN Sustainable Development Goals and support both elephant conservation and rural livelihoods.

Pandey, N., Lurz, P., Anderson, N. E., Hopker, A., Goswami, J., Kumar, S., & Rather, T. A. (2022). Impact and Mitigation of Human-Elephant Conflict Around Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 48(6). https://doi.org/10.55863/ijees.2022.6703