Human-Wildlife Conflict

Human-wildlife conflicts can arise for different factors and its aftermath effects can be identified as disastrous. Herbivorous animals such as elephants often find their way in human habitat basically for the quest of food and water as they become unavailable in certain seasons such as summer. They tend to become restless to quench their thirst and to satisfy their hunger for food. Then they enter human locality and ransack every nook and corner for food and water. The escalation of such a situation inculcates immense atrocity in the dwellers of the locality. In case of direct confrontation with the wild animals, there is a high possibility that they can be injured. Such human-wildlife encounters can even lead to the death of the local dwellers. 

The cause of Human-wildlife conflict

The main cause behind the conflicts between the wildlife of a certain region and humans can be identified as the scarcity of food and water for the wild animals. Food and water can be identified as the most essential components for the survival of life. The food and water availability in certain seasons especially during the hot summer time can be noticed as quite scanty. Several other factors are also responsible for these conflicts. The compression in the land area for the wildlife is another major reason behind this occurrence. The integral part of forests are being used up by the humans for residential settlement. Poaching and hunting of the wildlife animals in an indiscriminate manner can be considered as the most significant reason for the food shortage. The natural food chain in the national parks is drastically hampered by such activities. Frequent clandestine tiger attacks can be witnessed in villages that are in close proximity to the forest for this reason. some forest habitats have breached the carrying capacity.

The occurrences of conflicts between Humans and wildlife in India

Several conflicts between the wildlife and Humans can be recognized in regions that are proximal to the forest. Several cases of elephant and tiger encounters are seen in different localities. The same goes in terms of several elephant encounters where the elephant can cause harm to resources, property, and human lives. In addition to that, frequent leopard attacks have been identified in different regions that are in the vicinity of the forest area. Various forest areas such as the locality near the Dooars forest and many more are widely affected by it. 

The effect of human-wildlife conflicts

The encounters between humans and wild animals results in the damage and destruction of property, livelihood and even human lives. Such sneaky attempts of the wild animals can leave the entire population of a locality in absolute shock and awe. These kinds of things also result in the loss of the lives of the wild animals. The defensive measures on part of the local people can end up in the brutal killing of an innocuous animal who is causing such nuisance out of mere hunger and thirst. They are also seen to become intimidated by human activities that are largely based on violence to subdue the animals. Several incidents of brutal train accidents that take away the lives of the animals can be noticed as a common fact. According to the WWF, several animal species are at the verge of extinction due to such incidents. The rapid decrease in the tiger population is also apparent in the entire global scenario. The same thing can be concluded in the case of the elephants. Along with the poaching activities that are on the rise, this has the potential to lead to extinction of the entire species. Several measures in this regard are to be taken to ensure peaceful co-existence of human and wildlife. 

Solution and maintenance of ecological balance

The WWF has shared some important and effective insights on the issue of such conflicts between the humans and wildlife. It is quite necessary to implement with immediate effect to ensure the safety and existence of several species of wildlife. The first suggestion in this regard is to curb indiscriminate poaching and hunting activities in a rigid manner which can be recognized as one of the prime causes for such conflicts. Additionally, the cutting down of trees in a relentless manner is also to be checked in a drastic way to ensure ecological balances. The law enforcing authorities are needed to be active with preventive measures in the case of deforestation. The undesired circumstances between the humans and the wildlife can be averted following these steps which would ensure the maintenance of ecological balances too. The ecological balances are to be maintained by following the steps to ensure the safety and security of the animals and plants of the forests in India. Technological advancements can be deployed to mitigate man animal conflict.

Conclusion 

The encounter between human and wildlife in India can be recognized as undesired for both the dwellers residing in the locality and the animals that inadvertently get into that zone. The innocent animals are assaulted in a barbaric way out of revengeful vendetta of the local people. The home and the necessary requirements for the survival of the wild animals are being compressed day by day for several human requirements and illegal activity. These occurrences are to be ceased at any cost. The wildlife protection act of 1972 is instrumental in protecting the interests of wildlife in India.