Man-elephant conflict assessment in Kalesar-Corbett landscape of Shivalik hills
Student name: Ms Megha Shruti
Guide: Dr Neeti
Year of completion: 2017
Host Organisation: Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) - ISRO, Dehradun
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Sarnam Singh
Abstract: The Shivalik landscape of northwestern Himalayas is one of the last places on earth which holds a
notable population of the majestic Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus). The western part of this
landscape consists of two protected areas which together form the Rajaji-Corbett Conservation Unit.
Since these PA’s are also identified as Tiger and Elephant reserves, its conservation is of prime
importance to the state. Areas adjacent to the PA’s have recently started experiencing high
incidences of Human-Elephant conflict (HEC). To assess the emerging conflicts in the region, Land
Use Land Cover maps were prepared for two years, 2002-2003 and 2014-2015using LANDSAT
images and change in the landscape was detected. Some drastic changes were noted in the
landscape. 189.3 sq. km increase was observed in the overall settlements of this region. This increase
is concentrated around the identified wildlife corridors of the landscape: Chilla-Motichur and
Dehradun Forest Division –Kansaru Reserve Forest. Conflict cases in the area were analyzed
showing that crop raiding is the most common conflict accounting for 60% of the conflict cases
followed by death incidents of human and elephant. Linear developments, increasing road activity,
human encroachments in forest and shortage of water around the shrinking wildlife corridors are
identified as the primary causes for these conflicts. The conflict areas identified were plotted on a
map to observe that these locations are coinciding with areas which have experienced change in land
use in the past 13 years .Elephant habitat uses pattern was also mapped using elephant occurrence
data which indicated that preferred habitat of elephant is Sal and Moist mixed forest occurring on
the fringes of the protected areas. As these forests are also accessed by humans, it creates a scenario
of resource sharing between humans and elephants, hence the emerging conflict cases.
Key terms: Shivalik, human-elephant conflict (HEC), change detection, conflict
causes and areas, habitat use pattern
