Analyzing the diverse spectrum of human-wildlife conflict incidents in the Virajpet division around Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) around Rajiv Gandhi National Park has led to notable human casualties and significant crop damage over the past 15 years. From 2005-06 to 2019-20, 66 incidents of human-elephant and human-tiger encounters were reported, resulting in 18 fatalities and 48 injuries, averaging one death and three injuries annually. Peaks in human deaths occurred in 2009-10 and 2019-20, while injuries were most frequent during 2017-18 and 2018-19, with fluctuations largely influenced by varying levels of human-wildlife interactions and an increasing wildlife population. Additionally, crop damage emerged as a major HWC impact, with 96% of surveyed farmers experiencing losses. Property damage incidents around Rajiv Gandhi National Park have significantly increased over the past 15 years, with minimal cases until 2011, followed by a steady rise, peaking in 2019-20 with over 40 reported cases the highest during the study period. Significant damage (> 25% - 50%) affected 85% of respondents, and very high damage (> 50%) affected 9%. Coffee (85%) and pepper (72%) were the most impacted crops, along with jackfruit, banana, ginger, paddy, and others. Official forest department data revealed fewer crop damage cases between 2005-2010, a sharp increase peaking in 2014-15, a brief decline in 2015-16, followed by a rising trend thereafter. These findings highlight the growing severity of HWC in the region, emphasizing the need for community-based conflict management programs, infrastructure support and conflict-sensitive land use policies. Integrating local knowledge with scientific monitoring can enhance early detection and response to wildlife presence, ultimately improving human-wildlife coexistence.