Man vs elephant: Conflict over habitat

New Delhi: Conflict between man and elephant has increased over the years. The main cause is a shrinking habitat and loss of the traditional migratory routes taken by elephant herds.

The elephant task force set up by the ministry of environment has recommended a National Elephant Conservation Authority similar to the one for tigers.

Some of the key recommendations are:

• Protect 88 elephant corridors from mining, irrigation and other industrial projects

• The 32 elephant reserves in the country should be designated ecologically sensitive areas, so they can get greater protection under the Environment protection act

• A conflict management task force with foresters, scientists and veterinarians should be set up in high conflict areas

It's still only a proposal, but a radical one as it could, if adopted pit the environment lobby versus the industrial lobby in new areas.

While elephant numbers are not critical, it's the skewed sex ratio that has conservationists worried, with years of poaching leaving only 2000 odd tuskers in a population of 25,000.