Human-wildlife conflict in South Indian agriculture: Causes, impacts and mitigation strategies

Human-wildlife conflict is a persistent and widespread issue affecting rural areas in developed and developing nations and urban outskirts. These conflicts lead to significant financial losses, including reduced crop yields, property damage and adverse effects on farmers' livelihoods. This study reviewed incidents, reports and research from the past 20 years, utilizing web-based search engines like Scopus and Google Scholar. The focus was on human-wildlife conflict in agriculture, particularly in South Indias’ biogeographic regions. This article explores the causes and consequences of these conflicts, analyzing farmers' vulnerability and resilience and examining the mitigation strategies employed in the past and present. Tamil Nadu, a state in South India alone, witnessed 36 human fatalities caused by elephants and seven by gaurs, 2560 crop damages and 81 household property damages done by both animals between 2016 and 2017. Most studies on human-wildlife conflict in India are region-specific or focused on individual species, often neglecting agriculture. This study bridges that gap by examining South Indias’ agricultural sector and the harmful interactions between humans and wildlife, particularly their impact on farmers’ livelihoods. Additionally, the article reviews the efficacy and limitations of the strategies implemented to address the issue. The findings provide insights into the driving factors, consequences and potential mitigation strategies to reduce these conflicts. It emphasizes that the well-being of wildlife and the goals of agriculture are not inherently contradictory. Encouraging stakeholders to adopt sustainable, economical and wildlife-friendly solutions can foster peaceful coexistence. Addressing human and wildlife needs, this approach aims to reduce conflicts, secure farmer livelihoods and promote conservation efforts. The study explores potential strategies for mitigating human-wildlife conflicts while highlighting the importance of a sustainable, balanced approach that ensures the coexistence of wildlife conservation and agricultural activities.