Human-elephant conflict logs more deaths in southern India

Human-elephant conflicts have led to an increasing number of deaths in southern Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, according to a new report by the Wildlife Institute of India. The report, launched on World Elephant Day, examines the factors contributing to the rising number of human and elephant deaths, including habitat degradation, fragmentation, water scarcity, and infrastructure projects.

In 2023-24, there were 130 human deaths caused by elephants in the region, the highest in the five-year period, with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka reporting the highest number. Elephant deaths also increased from 38 in 2019-20 to 50 in 2023-24. The report highlights the need for a regional framework to address human-elephant conflict, recommending measures such as wildlife overpasses, better compensation mechanisms, and an inter-departmental task force to coordinate action across agencies.