Exploring Human-Wildlife Conflicts in the State of Kerala, India

Human Wildlife Conflict Interactions between humans and wildlife are a fundamental aspect of human existence. While some of these encounters are positive, others can have harmful outcomes, leading to what is known as human-wildlife conflict. This conflict arises when interactions between people and wild animals result in negative consequences such as damage to property, loss of livelihoods, or even injury and death (Nyhus, 2016). Human-wildlife conflict occurs when the needs of expanding human populations and wildlife overlap, causing harm to both sides. It has become a global issue, worsening due to unchecked behaviors from both humans and animals (Jayson, 2016). As human populations grow and the demand for land and resources increases, competition with wildlife intensifies, escalating conflict. These negative interactions often lead to problems like crop destruction, livestock loss, human injuries, and damage to infrastructure (Conover, 2002).