Wildlife mapping begins to tackle human-animal conflict

Panaji: In a bid to curb human-animal conflict in Goa, state govt has begun mapping human-animal conflict hotspots across villages and forest-fringe areas. According to the forest department, the mapping process is being carried out using records from agriculture and waste management departments, along with complaints registered with forest authorities to identify vulnerable locations and recommend species-specific solutions.The principal chief conservator of forests, Kamal Datta, told TOI that even villages that recorded a single incident in the last five years are being included in the mapping exercise. Even compensation records maintained by the agriculture department are being analysed to identify recurring crop damage patterns and determine which species are entering villages.“The goal is to create a database of hotspots of human-animal conflict and implement customised mitigation measures based on the biology and behaviour of each species rather than adopting a single approach for all cases,” Datta said.For areas affected by gaurs, the department is considering measures such as creating water holes within forested zones and digging cattle-proof trenches along village boundaries to prevent animals from entering human settlements.Leopard mitigation efforts, meanwhile, are expected to focus heavily on waste management as observations showed that leopards are often drawn to villages because of accumulated garbage that attracts stray dogs and other prey. Observations also revealed that kitchen waste, food scraps attract monkeys to human habitations.Mitigation for monkey-related conflict would therefore include cleaning waste dumping sites and organising “driving out” teams to humanely discourage animals from lingering near villages.“The mapping work is expected to continue through this month and next, after which a draft action plan will be submitted to govt. The programme was envisioned as a long-term initiative likely to run for between three and five years,” Datta told TOI.Last year, govt also sent a proposal to the Wildlife Institute of India for a scientific study on human-animal conflict in the state, requesting it to conduct location-specific studies and recommend scientifically validated mitigation measures.“The institute has already accepted the request and submitted a cost estimate for the proposed study, though funding approval is still awaited under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority mechanism,” Datta said. However, he said, a detailed assessment could take more than a year as it would involve baseline surveys, animal population assessments and seasonal behavioural studies.