Syllabus: GS–III & V: Human–Wildlife Conflict

Why in the news?

Illegal electric fencing has emerged as the leading cause of elephant deaths in Assam, with over 200 elephants killed due to electrocution in the last 25 years, including 55 deaths between 2019–20 and 2023–24 alone. Conservationists and authorities have raised concerns about increasing human–elephant conflict and weak enforcement of wildlife protection laws.

Assam: A Major Stronghold of Asian Elephants

Assam is one of the most important habitats of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), which is classified as Endangered under the IUCN Red List.

• Assam has around 4, 000 wild elephants, making it the second largest elephant habitat in India after Karnataka.
• The State has 5 elephant reserves
  • Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve (Highest density: 79/100)
  • Dihing-Patkai Elephant Reserve
  • Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve
  • Sonitpur Elephant Reserve
  • Dhansiri-Lungding Elephant Reserve
• Districts like Tamulpur, Udalguri, and Sonitpur are key elephant movement corridors

Elephants migrate across forests, agricultural land, and human settlements in search of food and water.

Illegal Electric Fencing: The Biggest Killer

Illegal electric fences are now the most serious threat to elephants in Assam.

• More than 200 elephant deaths due to electrocution since 2000.
• About 55 deaths recorded between 2019 and 2024.
• Most deaths occur in:
  • Tea gardens
  • Croplands
  • Areas near power lines
  • Elephant corridors

Farmers often illegally connect fences to high-voltage electricity lines (220 Volt or 11 kilovolt) to protect crops from elephants. These fences deliver fatal shocks.

This is illegal and punishable under Indian law.

Human–Elephant Conflict: Root Causes

The crisis is largely human-induced and linked to development and habitat loss.

Major causes include:

• Loss of forest cover due to deforestation and urban expansion.
• Encroachment of elephant corridors, blocking natural migration routes.
• Expansion of agriculture and tea estates into elephant habitats.
• Increasing human population and infrastructure development.

When elephants lose habitat, they enter villages and farms, leading to conflict.

Legal Protection and Weak Enforcement

Elephants are protected under several laws and conservation frameworks.

Important legal protections:

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended in 2022): Elephants are listed under Schedule I, giving them the highest level of protection.
• Electricity Act, 2003: Illegal electricity connections and unsafe power infrastructure are punishable offences.
• Project Elephant (1992): A Government of India initiative to conserve elephants and their habitats.
• Elephant Census: Conducted once in 5 years under the aegis of Project elephant.
• MIKE programme: Established in South Asia in 2003, as mandated by CITES COP resolution. 
  • It is a site-based system designed to monitor trends in elephant illegal killing and build capacity in sites across Africa and Asia.
  • Assam has two sites under MIKE programme i.e Chirang-Ripu and Dihing Patkai.

Despite strong laws, enforcement remains weak.

Major problems include:

• Failure to register criminal cases.
• Poor investigation and lack of technical evidence.
• Low conviction rates.
• Lack of coordination between forest department, police, and electricity authorities.

Important Terms Explained

Human–elephant conflict: Interaction between humans and elephants leading to crop damage, property loss, or animal deaths.

Elephant corridor: Natural routes used by elephants to move between habitats.

Electrocution: Death caused by electric shock from high-voltage current.

Project Elephant: A national conservation programme launched in 1992 to protect elephants and their habitats.

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: India’s primary law for wildlife conservation.

Endangered species: Species facing a very high risk of extinction.

Impact on Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Elephants are called “keystone species”, meaning their survival supports the entire ecosystem.

They help in:

• Seed dispersal and forest regeneration.
• Maintaining biodiversity balance.
• Creating forest clearings that support other animals.

Loss of elephants will harm the entire ecosystem.

Solutions and Way Forward

Several measures are needed to reduce elephant deaths:

• Strict enforcement of wildlife and electricity laws.
• Removal of illegal electric fences.
• Use of solar-powered non-lethal fencing.
• Protection and restoration of elephant corridors.
• Community awareness and involvement.
• Coordination between forest department, electricity authorities, and police.

Innovative solutions like bio-fencing using lemon plants and bee fencing are also being tested.

Why this matters for India

India has about 60% of the world’s Asian elephant population, making conservation crucial.

Protecting elephants will ensure:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Ecosystem stability
• Sustainable development
• Reduced human–wildlife conflict

Assam plays a critical role in this effort.

Exam Hook – Key Takeaways

Key facts:

• Asian elephant is Endangered (IUCN Red List).
• Protected under Schedule I of WLP Act, 1972.
• Project Elephant launched in 1992.
• Over 200 elephants killed due to electrocution in Assam in 25 years.
• Illegal electric fencing is a major conservation threat.

Mains Question:
Discuss the causes and consequences of human–elephant conflict in India. Suggest measures to reduce elephant mortality.

One-line wrap

Illegal electric fencing has become the biggest threat to elephants in Assam, highlighting the urgent need for stronger conservation efforts and enforcement of wildlife protection laws.

SOURCE