People’s perceptions and attitudes towards human-elephant conflicts and mitigation practices in the western part of southern West Bengal, India

Human-elephant conflicts (HECs) have surged worldwide due to widespread forest habitat destruction and human encroachment. In India, where only a small portion of elephant habitats are protected, these conflicts are particularly severe. West Bengal, with its substantial elephant population, faces significant challenges in addressing HECs, especially in its southern regions where conflict incidences are increasing in recent times. This study aims to elucidate the perceptions of local inhabitants residing in and around conflict-prone zones of elephant habitats in southern West Bengal. A structured questionnaire was employed to gather insights from 204 individuals across four administrative districts in the western part of south West Bengal. Results revealed that socio-economic and demographic factors greatly influence attitudes towards conservation. Despite diverse mitigation practices in response to challenges like crop damage and property loss, dissatisfaction with compensation schemes persists. These findings underscore the complexity of human-elephant interactions in the region and emphasize the need for holistic approaches that consider both conservation and livelihood needs.