WHY ARE HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS ESCALATING IN KERALA?
Why in the news?
The escalating human-wildlife conflicts in Kerala, highlighting the reasons behind such incidents, the scale of the problem in the state, and proposed solutions.
source:scribd
About the Magnitude of Conflict escalating in Kerala:
- Statewide Impact: Recorded over 48,000 crop damage incidents across 1,004 areas, indicating a widespread issue.
- Hotspot Regions: Nilambur north, Wayanad south, and Wayanad north forest ranges are identified as hotspots with the highest conflict incidences.
- Major Culprits: Elephants, wild boars, and bonnet macaques are responsible for significant crop damage and livestock losses, exacerbating the conflict.
What is the project Elephant?
● Initiated: Project Elephant began in 1992. ● Objective: Supports wildlife management efforts for free-ranging populations of wild Asian Elephants. ● Administration: Managed by the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests. Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZs) · ESZ Definition: Areas within 10 km of national parks and sanctuaries. · Varied Application: Union govt. may extend beyond 10 km for significant ecological corridors. · Purpose: Protect fragile ecosystems and wildlife habitats. |