Human-Elephant Conflicts Turn Major Threat in Jharkhand, WII Study Finds
Ranchi: Human-elephant conflicts, which were once sporadic incidents in Jharkhand and other parts of India around the year 2000, have turned into a growing and persistent challenge by 2023, according to a new study by experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
The study, published on December 18 in the international journal Ecology and Evolution, analysed data spanning 23 years, from 2000 to 2023. It was conducted by a team of eight wildlife experts — Kalpana Roy, Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Athira N. Ganesan, Ananya Dutta, Dheeraj Mittal, Parag Nigam, Anukul Nath, and Bilal Habib, who led the research.
Key Findings from Jharkhand
Speaking to The Times of India, Bilal Habib said the study took nearly a year to complete and focused on state-specific conflict patterns. So far, the team has completed detailed assessments for Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, noting that each state faces unique drivers behind human-elephant conflicts.
In Jharkhand, researchers collected data from 22 forest divisions, documenting 1,740 conflict incidents. These included around 1,340 fatalities and 400 injuries, with Ranchi, Khunti, and East Singhbhum emerging as the most affected districts.
According to the study, these three divisions account for the majority of conflicts in the state. Researchers noted that if government agencies and planners prioritise mitigation measures in these areas, more than 80% of the conflicts in Jharkhand could potentially be reduced.
Habitat Fragmentation at the Core
The study highlights that most conflict hotspots are located near protected areas and fragmented forest landscapes. High-conflict villages were found to have greater cropland expansion and built-up areas, while medium- and low-conflict villages showed mixed land-use patterns.
Factors such as proximity to forests, water sources, roads, and elephant reserves significantly influenced conflict risks. Landscape fragmentation and habitat degradation were identified as key contributors to the rising encounters.
Jharkhand had an estimated elephant population of 679 in the 2017 census — lower than states like Assam — yet conflict incidents have continued to increase. Researchers attributed this to shrinking habitats and disrupted migration corridors.
Mining, Corridors, and Seasonal Risk
Jharkhand historically served as a natural migratory corridor connecting elephant habitats in West Bengal, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. However, extensive coal mining in districts like Dhanbad, Hazaribag, and West Singhbhum has severely fragmented forests.
The degradation of critical corridors, including the Saranda Forest, has forced elephants into human settlements, leading to increased crop damage, property loss, and human casualties.
The study also found that monsoon months witness heightened conflict levels due to dense vegetation and reduced visibility, increasing the chances of sudden encounters.
Call for Policy Intervention
Researchers stressed the urgent need for focused policy and management efforts in high-conflict zones. Suggested measures include restoring habitat connectivity, regulating land-use changes near sensitive areas, reducing road disturbances, and implementing mitigation tools such as solar fencing and trenches.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
The WII study presents a clear warning: human-elephant conflict in Jharkhand is no longer an isolated issue but a structural crisis driven by unchecked habitat loss and development pressure. With conflicts concentrated in identifiable hotspots, targeted intervention could significantly reduce both human and animal suffering. Long-term solutions will depend on balancing development with ecological planning, ensuring that elephant corridors are protected before the conflict escalates further.
