Man-animal conflict mitigation team selected for the Wildlife Trust of India award

Subject : Environment

In the news-

An eight-member team from Chinnakkanal that comes under the Munnar forest division, which has been instrumental in bringing down the incidents of man-animal conflict in the region, has won the Wildlife Trust of India award.

Their work-

Human-animal Conflict

It refers to the interaction between wild animals and humans which results in a negative impact on people, animals, resources, and habitats.
It occurs when growing human populations overlap with established wildlife territory which creates competition for space and resources.

Causes of Man-animal conflict:

In modern times rapid urbanization and industrialisation have led to the diversion of forest land to non-forest purposes, as a result, the wildlife habitat is shrinking.
The expansion of road and rail network through forest ranges has resulted in animals getting killed or injured in accidents on roads or railway tracks.
The increasing population has also led to many human settlements coming up near the peripheries of protected areas and encroachment in the forest lands by local people for cultivation and collection of food and fodder etc. therefore increasing pressure on limited natural resources in the forests.

Repercussions of this conflict:

Injury and loss of life of humans and wildlife, crop damage, livestock depredation, predation of managed wildlife stock, damage to human property, destruction of habitat, the collapse of wildlife populations and reduction of geographic range.

Preventive Measures

Increased vigilance and protection of identified locations using hi-tech surveillance tools like sensors can help in tracking the movement of animals and warn the local population.
In-situ and ex-situ habitat conservation measures will help in securing animals their survival.
Re-locating of animal habitats away from residential and commercial centres will serve to minimize animal-man conflict for illegal and self-interested motives
Awareness Programmes
The construction of boundary walls and solar fences around the sensitive areas to prevent the wild animal attacks.
Safeguarding Tiger corridors, building eco-bridges and such conservation measures can be part of corporate social responsibility.