Conservation planning, human elephant conflict and coexistence in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape

Raman Sukumar*, Meera Anna Oommen, Sanjay Ajanikar, Amlan Aditya Goswami

The Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape in Assam, which is a crucial habitat supporting over 2000 individual elephants in the Northeast Region, also includes large swathes of human-dominated spaces. Human-elephant conflict is an emerging problem in these landscapes. Understanding elephant movement and behaviour as well as the social aspects of conservation are critical steps towards coexistence in this region. Over the next few years, our project aims to
understand elephant use of the corridor areas by mapping the landscape as well as collaring individuals and carrying out ground surveillance; understand the social dynamics of human use, perceptions and conflict; and to develop mitigation strategies and pathways for coexistence. This project is supported by multi-year funding from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, USA.

*Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore