By Bikrant Tiwary
I have often wondered if we have enough forests and natural ecosystems to house the rich biodiversity our planet supports. Currently, there are about 27,300 elephants in India, and this population is in danger due to habitat degradation and the ensuing man-elephant conflict.
For instance, Northeast India is home to wild Asian elephants that wander hundreds of kilometers in search of food, water, and partners. They have probably been traveling through the huge Brahmaputra River floodplain in the Indian state of Assam for decades. During the past two decades, settlements and cultivation have taken over more than 65 percent of the habitat north of the river, and elephant-human conflict has been rising ever since.
In Assam, between 2010 and 2019, the elephant-human conflict resulted in the deaths of 761 people and 249 elephants. As man-elephant encounters disproportionately affect populations with incomes well below the poverty line and limited access to economic possibilities, this conflict highlights the necessity for human-elephant cohabitation.
Elephant habitats are becoming increasingly constrained due to the rising human population and increased demand for land. Loss and fragmentation of habitat are all results of illegal entry into protected areas as well as forest clearance for roads or other development. Elephants may become limited to isolated populations that are unable to follow prehistoric migration routes or mix with other herds as a result of habitat degradation, which also leaves them without reliable food sources and shelter.
Elephants are forced to look for other food sources among the numerous farms, villages, and plantations that have taken the place of their former forest homes due to habitat degradation. Small farmers lose everything and large agricultural operations have also suffered millions of dollars’ worth of damage because of elephant raids. In retribution for their destructive raids, elephants are frequently slain.
The most effective step in preserving our elephants’ natural habitat is to start and support large-scale plantation operations that will link wildlife corridors and make up for the harm done to the ecosystems. SanctuaryAsia reported in April 2011 (Human-elephant Conflict in India) that Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary’s plantations have been successful in persuading the elephants to remain inside the park, hence lowering the possibility of human-elephant conflict.
Trees for Elephants. Singhbum, Jharkhand, India
According to the “Right of Passage” study, which was released in August 2017 by the Wildlife Trust of India in partnership with Project Elephant and the U.K.-based NGO Elephant Family, corridors have become increasingly narrow since 2005. Approximately 74 percent of corridors are now one kilometer or less in width, compared to 45.5 percent in 2005, and only 22 percent are now one to three kilometers wide, down from 41 percent in 2005. The addition of trees will help expand the corridors, giving the elephants more covered and protected space.
Although the number of elephants in India has increased by 75%, only 22% of their habitat is protected from people. The majority of elephant deaths occur in India’s 137 elephant corridors, where the animals travel to locate food. For peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants, careful land-use planning, community involvement, and political action are necessary. For instance, agroindustry and infrastructure should be developed in ways that have the least negative effects on elephant-ranging patterns in order to prevent human-elephant conflict. Elephants must be able to roam across habitats to acquire the resources they require, hence the creation of wildlife corridors is critically needed.
Nursery image
In order for both elephants and forests to benefit from one another, it is crucial to consider the species that are being planted when creating elephant habitats and corridors. Elephants are another important means by which trees spread their seeds; for certain species, elephants are the only means at all. Elephants leave behind dung that is packed with seeds from the various plants they eat wherever they live. The ecosystem is improved by the seeds that are sown when these feces are dumped because they grow into new grasses, bushes, and trees.
It was discovered that a significant portion of their food consisted of tree species like Mahua, Mango, Bael, and Ber. The elephant population in Asia, and more specifically India, depends on its tropical trees, devouring twigs, branches, stems, roots, flowers, fruit, and other plant materials. This is due to the diversity in habitat and climatic conditions present across India.
Expanding forest corridors and reestablishing elephant migration routes between fragmented areas will be aided by tree planting. Growing trees gives elephants fruit and food, which can decrease crop raiding and protect the local and tribal communities’ income.
In fact, one of our plantation sites has allowed us to witness firsthand how strong plantations may benefit elephants. In order to connect animal corridors, we planted trees on the foothills of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in Jharkhand, where we later saw an elephant herd traveling. This helped us understand the need of creating buffer zones for our species and confirmed the notion that man-animal conflict may be reduced.
Realizing that we are the only ones who can protect elephants is the most crucial first step in conserving their environment. To stop deforestation practices, it is important to raise awareness about the value of natural habitats and why elephants are essential to our ecology.
We frequently convince ourselves that wildlife will adapt in spite of all the harm we do to their natural habitat. Coexisting with animals is the healthiest and safest way to live, yet humans occasionally seem to forget how crucial it is. More than any other species, we are dependent on these forests; they are necessary for our continued existence, way of life, food, development, and a host of other things. Our life on this planet is also in jeopardy if we keep trying to damage trees and our natural environment.
Supporting conservation activities will encourage more individuals to stand up for the environment. We need to save our current forests in addition to supporting planting programmes, and this is only achievable if we are aware of how our actions affect the environment and forests. Living in peace with nature and taking in the beauty of our ecosystem’s interconnected ties with its various components is the only way to go forward.
About the Author
Bikrant Tiwary, an alumnus of IIM Calcutta and a Master’s in commerce from Ranchi University, has over 20 years of diverse experience in insurance, media, and social sector. His exposure to the certificate program of Harvard Business School gave him a new vision of the business. He has been a winner of Silicon Valley Fellowship organized by AFI and has also been nominated by U.S. Consulate General Mumbai for their EcoHeroes campaign. Bikrant is the first CEO of Grow-Trees and the former National Head of GiveIndia, the largest philanthropic online platform. He left his corporate career in 2010 with a passion to bring positive social changes to society.
Views are personal.
