As human-wildlife conflicts escalate on account of shrinking habitats and elevated encounters, these organisations are working to advertise peaceable coexistence between people and elephants, leopards, snakes and Lantana camara — emphasising the significance of collective motion.
This text has been printed in partnership with Rainmatter Basis.
In India, people and animals have shared areas for hundreds of years, coexisting in a fragile steadiness that displays our deep reference to nature. Nevertheless, as speedy urbanisation, habitat fragmentation, and local weather change disrupt this concord, these interactions are turning strained, typically resulting in battle. Starting to know the numerous species that we share our landscapes with, and the way organisations and residents throughout the nation are discovering progressive, collaborative and impactful methods to make sure higher coexistence, could be the start of constructing new narratives round shared areas.
Highlighting these success tales is essential, as they supply a blueprint for the longer term, exhibiting that coexistence isn’t just attainable however important.
To shine a lightweight on these options, The Higher India partnered with Rainmatter Basis — a non-profit by Zerodha devoted to local weather motion, environmental well being, and sustainable livelihoods.
Addressing human-wildlife conflicts requires a multi-pronged method, involving community-led conservation, government-supported habitat restoration, and collaboration with organisations centered on battle mitigation. Implementing efficient land-use practices to cut back habitat fragmentation, together with selling sustainable agriculture, livestock insurance coverage, and various livelihood choices, may help ease the socio-economic pressures on communities whereas fostering a extra tolerant coexistence with wildlife.
To spark a broader dialog and emphasise the pressing want for motion, we highlight 4 key species and 7 organisations main the way in which. Their work affords hope and a roadmap for a future the place people and wildlife can dwell collectively in concord.
Dwelling with elephants: Reworking battle zones into beacons of coexistence
India is dwelling to over 30,000 Asian elephants, however human-animal conflicts proceed to be a rising concern as shrinking habitats push these majestic creatures nearer to human populations. This compelled proximity results in an increase in human-elephant conflicts.
The 222 deaths (153 people and 69 elephants) between 1980 and 2020 in Karnataka’s Bannerghatta-Hosur panorama current an unsettling instance. In Valparai, 48 lives have been misplaced since 1994, whereas Chhattisgarh has seen over 4,000 incidents of crop harm and 20 human fatalities since 2019.
But, there’s hope. Right here’s a take a look at how organisations just like the Nature Conservation Basis (NCF), A Rocha India, and Wildlife SOS are main efforts to mitigate these conflicts. These efforts have considerably diminished human casualties, with deaths dropping from 20 per yr to 10 in Chhattisgarh and to zero in Valparai.
In the event you really feel referred to as to contribute to this mission, think about changing into a ‘Pal of A Rocha’ — attain out at [email protected] or volunteer with Wildlife SOS at [email protected].
Dwelling with leopards: Making a protected area within the metropolis of desires
Sanjay Gandhi Nationwide Park (SGNP) in Mumbai is dwelling to the world’s highest density of leopards. Almost 2,50,000 residents dwell alongside these elusive predators, creating a fancy interaction between human and wildlife interactions.
Nevertheless, as Mumbai expanded, the boundaries between human and leopard territories blurred. Between 2002 and 2004, 24 folks have been attacked, resulting in the relocation of 21 leopards — an effort that backfired, inflicting a 325% spike in assaults. Right here’s how it’s being addressed by the Maharashtra Forest Division and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India.
To get a glimpse of each people and wildlife thriving in one of many world’s busiest metros, watch this video:
To help these efforts, think about getting concerned — click on right here to take motion.
Dwelling with snakes: Steps to shed worry and coexist with a misunderstood group
A analysis paper printed by eLife reveals that India, sometimes called the world’s ‘Snakebite Capital,’ recorded over 1.2 million deaths from snake bites between 2000 and 2019, averaging 58,000 per yr. This staggering determine has fueled worry and misunderstanding about snakes.
But, coexistence with these reptiles is essential, as they play a significant position in sustaining ecological steadiness. With out snakes, rodent populations would surge, devastating crops and threatening meals safety.
To handle this, The Liana Belief, in collaboration with Humane Society Worldwide and the Madras Crocodile Financial institution Belief, is reworking worry into understanding.
In the event you want to turn into a part of the change, attain out to [email protected].
Lantana camara: From ecological menace to financial alternative
Lantana camara, initially launched as a decorative plant, has proliferated rapidly throughout India, choking native crops and disrupting ecosystems. Spreading over greater than 13 million hectares, it has threatened biodiversity and fueled conflicts between people and wildlife.
Nevertheless, organisations just like the Ashoka Belief for Analysis in Ecology and the Atmosphere (ATREE) and The Shola Belief are turning this problem into a possibility. Right here’s how:
Every bit of Lantana furnishings you buy not solely transforms an ecological menace into a phenomenal murals but additionally helps shield forests in South India. To play your half, contact [email protected] or go to Lantana Crafts.
These initiatives pave the way in which for sustainable coexistence between people and non-human species, highlighting the significance of understanding our pure heritage and the species we share it with. Rooted in particular elements of India, they provide useful classes that may be tailored nationwide, serving as fashions for addressing human-wildlife battle by schooling, expertise, and group involvement. Increasing these efforts may minimise conflicts, protect ecosystems, and help livelihoods whereas sustaining environmental steadiness.
Peaceable coexistence is our accountability — and the important thing to a future the place each people and wildlife thrive aspect by aspect.
Edited by Pranita Bhat
