Managing Human–Wildlife Conflict: A Case Study from Assam, India

Co-management is recognized as crucial in developing sustainable policies to address the deteriorating relationship between humans and wildlife. This approach is inclusive and particularly effective in areas where humans and wildlife share the same resources. The sharing of resources often leads to unsustainable practices. Many studies proved that co-management involves diverse stakeholders, including experts, forest staff, conservation organizations, and the local community, to negotiate conflicting interests effectively. Hence, studying the coexistence strategies implemented by different stakeholders has provided valuable insights into the potential interactions and coexistence of humans and wildlife outside of protected areas. The article examined the local management strategies employed to address human–elephant relations in this context. Additionally, the article discusses various co-management approaches aimed at improving the relationship between humans and wild elephants, along with the factors contributing to building co-management capacity. This article is based on the ethnographic study conducted among the Bodo community residing near the Indo-Bhutan border in Assam, where the local Bodo community experiences conflict with wild elephants.