Rationale:

The increasing human population, poor land-use planning and the destruction of natural habitats greatly influence the Human-Wildlife coexistence and eventually results in conflicts. Over the past 50 years, India’s LULC has shifted significantly toward cropland and urban expansion at the expense of forests, wastelands, and water bodies, which are the major habitats for wildlife. Cropland has increased by ~ 46.06% (Kharif) and 35.23% (Rabi) from 2005 to 2023, whereas forest cover has been declined rapidly since 2010. Built-up areas expanded by 30.77% from 2005 to 2023, and water bodies faced regional declines. National-level forest cover in India increased by ~16,630 km2 from 2013–2023, but biodiversity-rich areas like parts of the Eastern Ghats saw net losses (e.g., 58.22 km2 in its eco-sensitive zones). States overlapping the Eastern Ghats, such as Odisha, exhibited gains (559 km2 increase in forest and tree cover from 2021–2023), while localized studies indicate ongoing deforestation. These factors have contributed significantly to the Human-wildlife conflicts. Moreover, there are spatial and temporal differentiations in conflict dynamics depending on a multitude of variables, including uneven resource distribution, agricultural practices, habitat discontinuity, and land use changes.

These conflicts typically result in damage of crop, property and even leading to human and wildlife fatalities. Incidents have increased, with elephants only causing ~50-150 human deaths annually in Eastern Ghats states combined (e.g., Odisha and Chhattisgarh alone reported >200 in 2023-24). Increasing conflicts between humans and wildlife reduce the opportunity for coexistence between the species. Therefore, it is essential to identify the current threats and challenges of the human-wildlife interaction and develop a framework for the inter-species coexistence. By 2025, HWC has resulted in thousands of incidents, driven by LULC changes that reduce wildlife habitats by 10-30% in key areas of Eastern Ghats, emphasizing the need for corridor restoration and conflict mitigation leading to their coexistence.

Objective:

• To understand the past-present-future scenarios of Human-Wildlife Co-existence inside and outside Protected Areas of Eastern Ghats.

• Role of Community-Wildlife initiatives and its impact on the current Human-Wildlife Co-existence.

• Exploring the possibility of shared responsibilities to combat the conflicts.

Significance of the Session:

The session will bring out ideas for wider dissemination of the scientific basis for conservation of six major species (but not limited to) namely Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) and the various species of Snakes in the degraded lands of Eastern Ghats of Odisha. More importantly the session will bring about a synthesis of the field knowledge, community stewardship, scientific theoretical frameworks and technological advancements to give a holistic representation of the current human-wildlife coexistence scenario, its challenges pertaining to the LULC changes in the recent past and its possible execution / implementation in the future.

Structure of Human-Wildlife interaction inside and outside Protected Areas:

There have been a large number of HWC in and around the Eastern Ghats region both inside and outside the Protected Areas (PAs). However, outside PAs conflicts are more frequent and severe due to proximity to human settlements and land-use changes. In Eastern Ghats fringe areas (Outside Protected Areas (OPA)), HWC has increased, with electric traps being used for poaching at places, high-intensity elephant conflict hotspots driven by crop diversity and water proximity, Gaur conflicts are localized (~625 km² hotspots), with 10% of households reporting incidents, mostly crop damage and in border areas, elephant herds from Odisha/Tamil Nadu cause crop destruction and fatalities. Based on available published information, approximately 5-10% of the Eastern Ghats (3,750–7,500 km²) is under formal Protected Areas, while 90-95% (67,500–71,250 km²) lies outside, encompassing reserve forests, agricultural lands, and human settlements. These unprotected areas are critical for biodiversity but face significant threats from land-use changes and degradation and a breeding ground for the HWC.

Community Participation and its role in Human-Wildlife interactions:

Though the land reforms are under consideration, encroachment for the lands in the rural populace remains a concern, with the state emphasizing stricter enforcement. This has an indirect implication on the increase of human and wildlife faceoffs. Moreover, in places like Ganjam, the concept of coexistence has been gradually realised by the locals in the form of community conserved areas (CCA). These CCAs have been able to protect the Backbucks (Antilope cervicapra) and live in association with them, therefore pioneering the Human-Wildlife coexistence concept in Eastern Ghats. However, the concept of community conservation has not yet fully realised in the case of other species in conflict such as Leopard (Panthera pardus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) and therefore the session will highlight such urgent needs and bring out ideas on the possibilities and / or alternatives to such conservation strategies in Eastern Ghats, which will be predominantly a community based participatory approach.

Human-Tiger conflicts rose 25% (2020-2024) with tiger recovery; 80% incidents outside PAs in tribal hamlets of Eastern Ghats. The "Tribal vs. Tiger" concept encapsulates a balance between biodiversity conservation and indigenous rights of people in the Eastern Ghats. While tiger numbers have improved, tribal communities bear the brunt, underscoring the need for co-management models where tribal communities are partners, not obstacles. Recent 2025 reforms in Odisha (e.g., enhanced CFR recognition) offer hope, but sustained dialogue is key to the very idea of Human-Wildlife coexistence.

Way Forward:

To mitigate HWC in Eastern Ghats, holistic strategies under the National Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Strategy should be adopted, including habitat restoration via wildlife corridors and buffer zones to reduce fragmentation. Innovative tools (but not limited to), viz., solar electric fencing, early warning SMS systems, and bee-fences for immediate deterrence can work in reducing the face-offs. Ensuring swift compensation for crop/livestock and life losses of human beings would build community trust. Community conservation strategies through awareness campaigns, training "Wildlife Volunteers”, and co-creating solutions with locals for sustainable coexistence would prove vital for the future coexistence paradigm.