Addressing the Challenges of Human Elephant conflict

*Mukesh M
Chennai Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Pudupakkam
advocatemukesh10@gmail.com

Despite being a figure of traditional cultural reverence, recognized indeed as the National
Heritage Animal, and given strictest level of protection under the law, the Asian elephant
(Elephant Maximus) is in a lot of trouble in India today. India is a party to Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The objective of the
CITES is that to recognize that wild fauna and flora in their many beautiful and varied forms
are an irreplaceable part of the natural systems of the earth which must be protected for this
and the generations to come, Conscious of the ever-growing value of wild fauna and flora
from aesthetic, scientific, cultural, recreational and economic points of view, recognize that
peoples and States are and should be the best protectors of their own flora and fauna 1. Since
1986, the Asian elephant has been listed as Endangered Species on the International union for
the Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red list), as the population has declined by at least 50%
over the last three elephant generations, which is about 60-70 years. It is primarily threatened
by loss habitat, habitat degradation, and fragmentation and poaching. . The Government
introduced Project Elephant, the object of which is to protect elephants, their habitat and
corridors, to address issues of man-animal conflict and welfare of captive animals.

As per a document titled Right of Passage by the Wildlife Trust of India, endorsed by the
Directed General of Forest & Inspector General of Forest, GOI, a minimum of 101 elephant
corridors were identified as currently in use in India. As per the document the human
settlements and the resulting biotic pressure, linear infrastructure elements (roads, railway
lines, canals) and encroachments onto corridor areas are major issues impacting connectivity.
Only 21.8% of corridors are free of human settlements compared to 22.8% in 2005. A large
extent of corridor area and habitat is also being lost due to encroachment, with 28.7% of
corridors now encroached upon. Some 66.3% of corridors also have highways passing
through them2.

1 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 3 March
1973,https://cites.org
2 Right of Passage: Elephant Corridors of India [2nd Edition]. Menon, V, Tiwari, S K, Ramkumar, K, Kyarong,
S, Ganguly, U and Sukumar, R (Eds.). Conservation Reference Series No. 3. WIldlife Trust of India, New
Delhi,15
The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Hospitality Association of Mudumalai v. In
Defence of Environment and Animals & Ors 3 had observed that elephant corridors allow
elephants to continue their nomadic mode of survival, despite shrinking forest cover, by
facilitating travel between district forest habitats. To secure wild elephants future it is
essential that we ensure their uninterrupted movements between different forest habitats. For
this, elephant corridors must be protected.

Key Words: Elephant Corridor, Encroachment, Human Elephant Conflict, elephant

corridors

3 Hospitality Association of Mudumalai v. In Defence of Environment and Animals & Ors, Civil Appeal Nos
3438-3439 of 2022