Now, wildlife biologists, forest department and farmers in the north Kanara district of Karnataka have taken a more community-based approach to manage the conflict, which is turning out to be fruitful. The forest department needs to understand that they are dealing with an exceptionally intelligent animal with a five kg brain. Farmers using these methods, however, have been able to save up to 75% of their crops. But even as one looks at the positives of the CBCM model, its challenges cannot be ignored. Kyatangera villagers say the forest department alerts them almost 10-15 days ahead of an elephant herd’s arrival near their village.

Source: dna August 23, 2016 03:00 UTC