Human-Wildlife Conflict
Causes, Patterns, and Policy Responses
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a leading conservation challenge in India, arising from shrinking forest cover, expanding human settlements, and wildlife corridors being fragmented by infrastructure. Kerala's Forest Department has identified 12 major HWC hotspot zones, with large mammals including elephants and tigers involved in the most serious incidents. NTCA and state forest departments maintain Standard Operating Procedures for categorising and responding to conflict animals: translocation within the wild, relocation to zoological parks, or in extreme cases, euthanasia.
- India's National Action Plan for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management was developed by the MoEFCC to provide a structured framework.
- "Problem animals" — those repeatedly involved in livestock predation or attacks on humans — are often translocated to new territories first; zoo placement is a last resort.
- Thrissur Zoological Park at Puthur, spread over 300+ acres, is designed as a modern naturalistic zoo with large enclosures and advanced veterinary facilities, intended to replace the old Thrissur zoo.
● Tracked since February 10, 2026 · last seen May 19, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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