Bhupender Yadav Leads Push For New Measures Against Human-Wildlife Conflict

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to discuss strategies for reducing human-wildlife conflict (HWC) and strengthening measures for long-term coexistence between communities and wildlife. The meeting focused on improving prevention, mitigation and response mechanisms to address rising encounters between humans and wild animals across different landscapes.

Representatives from several states, including Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, presented their conflict scenarios, ongoing measures and future plans before the committee, officials said. The committee, which included Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh, Members of Parliament and chief wildlife wardens from various states, examined the different patterns of human-wildlife conflict across regions.

Officials noted that conflicts vary depending on geography, habitat conditions and species involved, requiring customised management strategies rather than a single approach. Discussions focused on conflicts involving several major wildlife species, including tigers, leopards, bears, rhinoceroses, wild boars, gaurs and primates. Members highlighted the need for location-specific solutions that combine scientific monitoring, community participation and rapid response mechanisms to reduce risks to both humans and animals.

Also Read: Bhupender Yadav Urges Young IFS Officers To Blend Technology With Climate Action

During the meeting, Assam shared details of its efforts to manage wildlife-related incidents by forming zonal human-wildlife conflict risk reduction committees. These committees will prepare region-specific action plans for species such as elephants, tigers, leopards and rhinos, with a focus on early warning systems and rapid response teams. The Assam model aims to improve coordination between local authorities, forest departments and communities living near wildlife habitats. Officials said the use of early detection mechanisms and faster response systems could help prevent conflicts from escalating and reduce casualties among both humans and animals.

Karnataka presented an integrated six-pillar model for predictive human-wildlife conflict management. According to officials, the approach includes engineering interventions, artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance, command centres, rapid response teams, community volunteer networks and e-Parihara digital compensation systems. The Karnataka model seeks to combine technology with ground-level involvement to predict potential conflict situations and provide faster assistance to affected communities. AI-based monitoring and digital systems are expected to improve tracking, reporting and compensation processes related to wildlife incidents.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between state governments, forest departments and local communities. Officials said successful conflict management requires a balance between protecting wildlife habitats and ensuring the safety and livelihoods of people living near forests. Human-wildlife conflict has emerged as a growing challenge in several parts of India due to factors such as habitat loss, expanding human settlements, changes in land use and increasing interaction between wildlife and communities. Elephants, big cats and other large animals often enter human-dominated areas in search of food, water or movement corridors.

The Environment Ministry has been working with states to improve conflict prevention measures, including the use of technology, awareness programmes and better compensation mechanisms. Experts have stressed that conservation efforts must include local communities as active participants to ensure sustainable coexistence. The committee meeting concluded with discussions on strengthening existing programmes and developing more effective strategies to address human-wildlife conflict across India. The government is expected to continue supporting state-level initiatives aimed at reducing encounters, protecting biodiversity and ensuring safer coexistence between people and wildlife.

Also Read: Congress Targets Centre Over Removal Of Bhupender Yadav’s Aides, Alleges Scandal