Human-animal conflict

Leopards that hide in the sugarcane fields of Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor have become a concern for the farmers. Reportedly, the leopards that prevented crop-destroying animals are now causing man-animal conflicts that rose to nine deaths in the last two years.  Moreover, the farmers have asked officials to relocate the leopards as the sightings have increased up to 20%. Meanwhile, the forest department said that they are not sure about relocating… read-more

In a rare man-animal conflict, Assam’s forest officials had shot dead a wild buffalo which had turned violent in Biswanath district. Reportedly, guards killed the animal on January 14 in self-defence, as it had gone wild killing two locals. The Kaziranga National park authorities suspect that the animal left its habitat due to the loud noise from the community fishing crowd gathered to celebrate Magha Bihu festival.

Maharashtra Forest Department has recorded 174 leopard deaths in 2020, a 60% increase from the last year. Of the total 174 leopard deaths, 85 died naturally, 64 succumbed to accidents and 18 cases of poaching were registered till December, 2020. Besides, the data also revealed that leopard deaths in road/train accidents have doubled. Moreover, seeing the three-fold rise in man-animal conflicts, the department has planned to constitute a study… read-more

The Gujarat Police has arrested two people for chasing and honking at the lions in Gadhiya village of Tulsishyam range, Gir forest. Junagadh's forests chief D T Vasavada said that they have identified the miscreants as Yunis Pathan and another as a minor. Moreover, the police arrested them on the basis of a video, which they shot from phone and uploaded on social media. The authorities have sent the two people on remand. 

To reduce elephant-man conflicts, an expert panel has requested the Union Environment Ministry to lift the ban on elephant catching. The panel wrote a letter reading the country has been successful in saving elephants but need to "re-think if our forests are ready to handle such a huge population of elephants." The experts have recommended the elephants that are caught could be trained and used for other purposes.