A quantification of damage and assessment of economic loss due to crop raiding by Asian Elephant Elephas maximus (Mammalia: Proboscidea: Elephantidae): a case study of Manas National Park, Assam, India

Human-elephant conflict in Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India, is less severe than previously thought, with ample opportunity for coexistence. A study from 2007 to 2009 found that while overall economic losses due to crop raiding by Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) were negligible, individual farmers faced significant financial impacts. Autumn paddy suffered the highest raiding incidence, whereas pulses saw the least damage. Crop fields near the park's boundary were particularly vulnerable, highlighting the need for buffer zones. Traditional farmer-led guarding practices effectively reduced raiding frequency and damage, suggesting that strengthening these methods could substantially mitigate human-elephant conflict.

Nath, N. K., Dutta, S. K., Das, J. P., & Lahkar, B. P. (2015). A quantification of damage and assessment of economic loss due to crop raiding by Asian Elephant Elephas maximus (Mammalia: Proboscidea: Elephantidae): a case study of Manas National Park, Assam, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 7(2), 6853–6863. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.o4037.6853-63