Human–Wildlife Conflict in Chhattisgarh: Drivers, Case Studies, and Sustainable Coexistence Models

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) has emerged as a critical conservation and socio-economic challenge in the Anthropocene, driven by habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and human encroachment into natural ecosystems. In India, HWC manifests in diverse forms, from crop raiding by elephants in Odisha and West Bengal to livestock depredation by big cats in Maharashtra. Chhattisgarh, with its rich forest cover and biodiversity, faces unique conflict scenarios, particularly involving Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), leopards (Panthera pardus), and sloth bears (Melursus ursinus). Rapid mining, infrastructural growth, and agricultural expansion have intensified competition for space and resources, leading to economic losses, human injuries, and retaliatory killings of wildlife. This paper reviews the drivers, trends, and impacts of HWC with a special focus on Chhattisgarh, synthesizing case studies from across India. It further evaluates mitigation strategies—including habitat corridors, early-warning systems, compensation schemes, and community-based conservation—to propose sustainable coexistence models for the state.