Root Causes of Human-Elephant Conflict Examined in Jharkhand

The escalating conflict between humans and wild elephants in Jharkhand, and other regions such as Odisha and Chhattisgarh, warrants deeper analysis. The former forest official believes that the destruction of forests is the leading cause of elephants entering human settlements. Deforestation deprives elephants of their natural habitats, pushing them to search for food and water in villages and consequently attacking the villagers. The presence of Naxalites in the deep forests is also a contributing factor to this problem. Former educator from Torpa says that these wild animals are integral part of our lives. Protecting their lives is the need of the hour to maintain the balance of the nature. A farmer says the forests are shrinking and the elephants are losing their safe havens.