Karnataka signs MoU with IIS to mitigate human elephant conflict

Karnataka Forest Department has yesterday signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Science for landscape-level Conservation of Asian Elephants by reducing animal human conflicts. Karnataka with around 6400 elephants, is the most critical elephant range in Asia. Fragmentation of habitats, changing land use patterns and increased proximity between humans and elephants is resulting in loss of human life, crop damage and retaliatory action against elephants. 

Hence the forest department has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Science to conduct



landscape-scale management by linking cutting-edge ecological research with field implementation. Titled Landscape Level Management of the Asian Elephant in the Mysore Elephant Reserve, this five-year-long project aims to generate a robust scientific foundation for mitigating human elephant conflict and ensure long-term conservation of elephants across the state’s ecologically sensitive and conflict-prone regions. Based on which the elephant corridors will be mapped, barriers removed and will develop sound-based deterrents and warning systems.