Addressing Human-Wildlife Interactions in India: Mitigation, Compensation and Innovation

Addressing human-wildlife interactions are a global conservation challenge. The role of mitigation investments and and compensation payments in resolving human-wildlife conflict are widely debated. I examined procedures, types... [ view full abstract ]

Addressing human-wildlife interactions are a global conservation challenge. The role of mitigation investments and and compensation payments in resolving human-wildlife conflict are widely debated. I examined procedures, types and payments made for incidents reported in India's 29 states from 2010-2015. Across India, 81,100 total incidents were reported (73% crop loss and property damage, 21% livestock predation, 6% human injury and < 0.4% human death). Payments totaled US$ 5,373,149 (average expenditures per incident were US $46 for crop and property damage, $68 for livestock, $103 for human injury and $3,188 for human death). These estimates are undercounts because of incomplete data and low reporting rates. Across India, people remain affected by lack of policies in some states, low payment amounts and high transaction costs in others. I also evaluated mitigation efforts by > 5000 households living around 11 protected areas in India and identified regional variations in practices and effectiveness. Households deployed 12 mitigation measures with nighttime watching, scare devices, and fencing used the most. A household’s conflict history (>20 years for livestock loss, 10-20 years for crop loss), proximity to reserves, and crops grown or livestock owned were associated with higher mitigation use. Finally, I present insights from project Wild Seve- a live mobile based conflict monitoring and compensation reporting programed launched around two of India’s premier national parks. This program has assisted > 7000 families file claims and > 2000 families receive $80,000 in payments from the government. Despite a significant government mandate supporting compensation payments in India, there exist inconsistencies in eligibility, application, implementation and payment procedures. Ensuring that mitigation and compensation efforts actually assist people and conserve wildlife requires standardisation of processes and increasing transparency in India and globally. Ultimately, policy and technology solutions will empower conservation efforts only if they are sensitive to local ecological and social dynamics.