A Geospatial Analysis of Human-Elephant Conflict in the North Corridor of Chhattisgarh, India

The human-elephant conflict has been a long-time serious problem for the state of Chhattisgarh. With an abundant amount of dense forest cover and suitable climatic conditions in search of natural habitat, Chhattisgarh has been attracting migratory elephant herds, which have been displaced from the neighboring states of Odisha and Jharkhand due to gigantic open-cast mining activities and huge destruction of forests through unlawful felling and encroachment. Elephants possibly enter the state of Chhattisgarh from three focal points, such as a) part of the south-western forests of Jharkhand, b) the north-western forests of the Sundergarh division (Odisha) to the Tapkara range of Jashpur, and c) part of the north-western forests of the Himgir range of the Sundergarh forest division (Odisha) to the Raigarh range of Chhattisgarh. The event of Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) has been increasing in the north corridor due to the drifting of migratory elephant herds. The major reason for the prolonged stay of elephants in the Chhattisgarh state might be due to better forest cover. Unplanned developmental work and illegal activities within and in the proximity of elephant corridors are barricading the free movement of elephants and are principal drivers of the HEC. In the northern parts of Chhattisgarh, mainly the seven districts, elephant corridors are being blocked due to the excessive pressure from deforestation, illicit felling, poaching, land use change, fragmentation, infrastructure development, expanding agriculture activities, as well as illegal encroachment. With the increase in population and land use changes resulting in further conversion of elephant habitat into agricultural land, there would not be an end to the problem of HEC. An attempt has been undertaken to study the scientific mapping plans for herds and satellite imagery-based forest cover and elephant corridor identification with the application of geospatial technology, which could have some positive effect on the conservation plans of elephants in the near future and help in optimizing human-elephant conflict in the north corridor of Chhattisgarh.