Margins of Coexistence: Understanding Human–Elephant Conflict and Community Resilience in Assam's Kakoi Reserve Forest.

This study examines the dynamics of human–elephant conflict (HEC) in the fringe villages surrounding Kakoi Reserve Forest (RF) in Assam, India, a region marked by rich biodiversity and intense human–wildlife interaction. From 2017 to 2019, data were collected from seven villages within a 3 km radius of the forest boundary using Rapid Rural Appraisal, semi-structured interviews, and forest department records. A total of 67 crop-raiding incidents, 12 instances of property damage, and 8 human fatalities were recorded during the period. Crop depredation was highest in villages nearest to elephant corridors, with rice, banana, and coconut being the most targeted crops. Peak raiding occurred during the Ahu and Sali paddy seasons. Solitary male elephants (makhnas) were the primary raiders, responsible for over 70% of damage, often acting destructively and unpredictably. The total economic loss—including livestock and sericulture infrastructure—was estimated at ₹1.41 lakh, with broader crop losses pushing this figure substantially higher. Residents used traditional deterrents such as firecrackers, torches, and watch-platforms, though these yielded inconsistent results. While villagers maintained some cultural tolerance toward elephants, most expressed frustration with bureaucratic compensation processes and advocated for electric fencing, improved patrolling, and cultivation of non-palatable crops like lemon and tea. The findings highlight the urgent need for integrated conflict mitigation strategies that combine rapid compensation, landscape-level planning, corridor protection, and community-based interventions. The Kakoi RF conflict zone serves as a critical microcosm of HEC challenges in South Asia, where coexistence depends on harmonizing ecological realities with socioeconomic resilience.