Human–Wildlife Conflict in Agro-Pastoral Context

Indian Council of Agricultural Research and National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru jointly conducted a workshop on ‘Human–Wildlife Conflict in Agro-Pastoral Context’, at the ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru Scientists from different organizations including ICAR, NIAS, IISc, Bengaluru, forest departments of government of AP and Karnataka, NGOs and many independent researchers participated in the event. The deliberations included topics on ‘Wildlife and crop damage’, ‘Impact on farmers due to wildlife’ and ‘Mitigation strategies for wildlife-agricultural damage’, followed by talks on policy issues. A panel discussion was held to bring out the issues and strategies to minimise the losses in agriculture due to wild animal damages

Dr S. Ayyappan, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), while delivering key note address emphasized on sufficient food production for 1.25 billion Indian population and advocated for the human-wildlife coexistence. He elaborated upon different dimensions of human-wildlife conflict. Dr Ayyappan urged to find out ways for mitigating losses due to wild animals.

Dr Baldev Raj, Director, NIAS emphasized on the use of sensors for wildlife data and urged to study the conflict vis-a-vis climate change

Dr K. M. L. Pathak, DDG (Animal Science); Dr Ajay Mishra, APCCF, Mysore; and Dr R. Sukumar, Professor, IISc, Bengaluru also participated in the workshop.

Dr P. K. Agrawal, Assistant Director General, NASF, ICAR and co-organizer of the workshop thanked the participants and delegates.