<p>The escalating man-animal conflict in Karnataka has often been attributed to shrinking forests and encroachments. However, this explanation oversimplifies the issue. </p><p>The government’s decision to form an expert committee to study elephant behaviour, therefore, is a step in the right direction. However, to address the underlying cause of the problem, the committee must go beyond merely analysing elephant behaviour. It must also examine some uncomfortable, yet critical questions where the answers may lie. </p><p>For instance, coffee estates have recently witnessed increasing invasions by Indian gaurs, who have made the plantations their new home. Are the gaurs migrating out of forests due to a change in their behaviour, or are there other factors at play? A thorough examination of these shifts may provide valuable insights into the broader issues impacting wildlife and human livelihoods.</p>.<p>In response to a query by JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre informed the legislative council that 50 to 60 people lose their lives to elephant attacks annually, primarily in the districts of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan. The minister added that the government disbursed compensation of Rs 31 crore in 2023-24, attributing the elephants’ foray into human habitats to urbanisation, drought, and the unavailability of food and water in forests. Khandre’s mention of “the unavailability of food and water in forests” raises some uncomfortable questions. If wild animals are increasingly venturing outside protected forests, it suggests that the forests themselves may be in disarray. </p><p>This also casts doubts on the efficacy of afforestation programmes and highlights the pitfalls of monoculture practices, such as teak plantations, which have depleted biodiversity and diminished the natural resources available to animals. The crux of the problem may not lie in just encroachment but in a more fundamental flaw in forest management and ecological conservation strategies.</p>.<p>On the positive side, it is heartening that the elephant population is on the rise in the state. However, this increase in numbers brings its own set of challenges. </p><p>The concentration of elephants in a few districts has led to a situation where the carrying capacity of the region is overstretched, with the ecosystem struggling to support the burgeoning population. </p><p>This imbalance is further aggravated by the poor quality of forests, driving elephants and other animals into conflict with human settlements. To effectively address this issue, the government must adopt a holistic approach to conservation and conflict mitigation. </p><p>The expert committee has an opportunity to probe deeper, identify the underlying causes, and propose sustainable solutions that go beyond superficial fixes. Only by addressing the root causes can the state strive towards achieving a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.</p>
<p>The escalating man-animal conflict in Karnataka has often been attributed to shrinking forests and encroachments. However, this explanation oversimplifies the issue. </p><p>The government’s decision to form an expert committee to study elephant behaviour, therefore, is a step in the right direction. However, to address the underlying cause of the problem, the committee must go beyond merely analysing elephant behaviour. It must also examine some uncomfortable, yet critical questions where the answers may lie. </p><p>For instance, coffee estates have recently witnessed increasing invasions by Indian gaurs, who have made the plantations their new home. Are the gaurs migrating out of forests due to a change in their behaviour, or are there other factors at play? A thorough examination of these shifts may provide valuable insights into the broader issues impacting wildlife and human livelihoods.</p>.<p>In response to a query by JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre informed the legislative council that 50 to 60 people lose their lives to elephant attacks annually, primarily in the districts of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan. The minister added that the government disbursed compensation of Rs 31 crore in 2023-24, attributing the elephants’ foray into human habitats to urbanisation, drought, and the unavailability of food and water in forests. Khandre’s mention of “the unavailability of food and water in forests” raises some uncomfortable questions. If wild animals are increasingly venturing outside protected forests, it suggests that the forests themselves may be in disarray. </p><p>This also casts doubts on the efficacy of afforestation programmes and highlights the pitfalls of monoculture practices, such as teak plantations, which have depleted biodiversity and diminished the natural resources available to animals. The crux of the problem may not lie in just encroachment but in a more fundamental flaw in forest management and ecological conservation strategies.</p>.<p>On the positive side, it is heartening that the elephant population is on the rise in the state. However, this increase in numbers brings its own set of challenges. </p><p>The concentration of elephants in a few districts has led to a situation where the carrying capacity of the region is overstretched, with the ecosystem struggling to support the burgeoning population. </p><p>This imbalance is further aggravated by the poor quality of forests, driving elephants and other animals into conflict with human settlements. To effectively address this issue, the government must adopt a holistic approach to conservation and conflict mitigation. </p><p>The expert committee has an opportunity to probe deeper, identify the underlying causes, and propose sustainable solutions that go beyond superficial fixes. Only by addressing the root causes can the state strive towards achieving a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.</p>
