Human-elephant conflict (HEC) in India has become a pressing issue, with incidents of human casualties caused by elephants increasing in several states.
As forests shrink due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and encroachment, elephants often venture into human settlements in search of food, leading to fatal encounters.
The data on elephant-related human deaths across different states highlights the severity of the problem, with states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and Assam reporting high casualties over the years.
Addressing HEC requires a multi-pronged approach involving habitat conservation, conflict mitigation strategies, and community awareness programs.
Deadly Encounters: Humans vs. Elephants in India in Different Zones
10 Key Points on Human-Elephant Conflicts in India
High-Risk States – Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal report the highest number of human deaths caused by elephants, with Odisha recording 154 deaths in 2023-24, the highest in the country.
Steady Increase in Some States – States like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have seen an increase in deaths over the years, with Karnataka’s toll rising from 26 in 2020-21 to 48 in 2023-24.
Northeastern States Face Challenges – Assam remains a hotspot for human-elephant conflicts, consistently reporting high fatalities (ranging between 63 and 91 deaths per year). Meghalaya has also seen fluctuating numbers.
Declining Trend in Some States – While Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have historically recorded high casualties, recent trends indicate a slight decline. For instance, Jharkhand’s deaths dropped from 133 in 2021-22 to 87 in 2023-24.
Emerging Conflict Zones – Some states that previously had negligible deaths are now witnessing incidents, such as Nagaland reporting its first deaths in recent years (2022-23 and 2023-24).
Deforestation and Habitat Loss – Rapid urbanization and forest encroachment force elephants to move out of their natural habitats, leading to increased interactions with human settlements.
Seasonal Crop Raiding – Human deaths often occur during peak harvesting seasons when elephants raid crops, bringing them into direct conflict with farmers.
Elephant Corridors Under Threat – India has designated several elephant corridors to facilitate safe movement, but encroachment and infrastructure projects disrupt these pathways, intensifying conflicts.
Need for Conflict Mitigation Measures – Effective strategies such as early warning systems, bio-fencing, and community-led conservation efforts are necessary to reduce human casualties.
Government Initiatives – Various measures, including ex-gratia payments to victims’ families, the establishment of elephant reserves, and awareness programs, are being implemented to manage HEC, but a long-term sustainable solution is needed.
