GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT
Context: A recent study in Namibia emphasizes how dedicated water points and improved infrastructure can help alleviate human-elephant conflicts.
Approaches to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflicts:
- Separate Resource Zones:
- Establish water points or dams specifically for wildlife, situated far from human settlements, to minimize encounters.
- Example: Namibia’s National Elephant Conservation Plan includes wildlife-specific water dams to reduce conflicts.
- Infrastructure Improvements:
- Strengthen water points with protective measures like reinforced walls, solar-powered pumps, and concrete dams to prevent damage by wildlife.
- Example: Solar pump systems implemented in Namibia have significantly reduced damage caused by elephants to water infrastructure.
- Community Involvement:
- Actively involve local communities in conservation efforts and monitoring, promoting shared responsibility and ownership.
- Example: Namibia’s Community Conservation Programme, initiated in the 1990s, has successfully engaged locals in wildlife management.
- Buffer Zones and Barriers:
- Develop buffer zones around villages using natural deterrents such as trenches or bio-fencing to keep wildlife at bay.
- Example: Bio-fencing projects in Karnataka have proven effective in mitigating elephant conflicts.
Relevance to UPSC Exam Syllabus:
- GS Paper 3 – Environment:
- Strategies for wildlife conservation and sustainable ecosystems.
- Mitigating climate-related impacts on biodiversity.
- GS Paper 3 – Agriculture:
- Impact of human-wildlife conflicts on rural livelihoods, including crop losses and economic challenges.
- Essay Writing:
- Ethical and ecological considerations in human-animal coexistence.
- Case Studies in Ethics:
- Examples of balancing conservation with development.
- Role of local communities in fostering sustainable policies.