Central India’s Jumbo Crisis: Human-Elephant Conflict and Conservation Challenges

Central India faces a growing jumbo crisis due to rising human-elephant conflict. Learn about the causes, affected states, ecological impacts, and conservation measures to protect elephants.

Table of Contents

Context

Central India is witnessing a structural transformation in elephant ecology. What began as seasonal migration from Jharkhand and Odisha in the 1980s has now turned into the permanent settlement of crop-dependent herds. This resulted in an escalating human–elephant conflict (HEC) marked by rising casualties, crop losses, and ecological stress.

Migration of Elephants

Until the mid-1980s, central Indian states like south Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra had negligible elephant presence. Herds from Jharkhand (then south Bihar) and Odisha began entering these regions due to habitat stress.

● Eastward Movement to West Bengal: In 1986, small herds from Dalma (Jharkhand) entered Bankura and Purulia. By 1993, over 60 elephants reached near Kolkata. Today, around 200 elephants inhabit the Jangalmahal landscape.

● Westward Movement to Chhattisgarh: From the 1990s, elephants from Sundargarh and Keonjhar (Odisha) began using Surguja and Jashpur forests seasonally. By the 2000s, many herds permanently settled in Hasdeo Arand and Raigarh regions.

● Spread into Madhya Pradesh: Around mid-2000s, elephants entered Sidhi, Shahdol, and Anuppur districts. By 2018, herds reached Bandhavgarh and Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserves. Annual human deaths rose significantly post-2020.

● Entry into Maharashtra: By 2010, herds from Bastar (Chhattisgarh) began moving into Gadchiroli. In 2025, elephants entered Tadoba-Andhari buffer zones, indicating continued range expansion.

● Ecological Mismatch: Unlike moist habitats of the Western Ghats or Northeast, central India has seasonal rainfall and limited perennial water sources. Elephants are forced into valleys dominated by agriculture.

Why There Is a Rising Conflict

Forest Fragmentation: Expansion of mining (iron ore in Singhbhum, Keonjhar; coal in Talcher), highways, railways, and transmission lines has fragmented elephant corridors, forcing herds into human-dominated landscapes.
Drought & Climate Stress: Severe El Niño-driven droughts (1982–83, 1986–87) reduced water and fodder availability in Jharkhand and Odisha, triggering initial displacement of herds.
Reservoir & Dam Submergence: Projects like Rengali Dam submerged rich riverine forests in the Mahanadi basin, eliminating prime elephant habitats and altering migration pathways.
High-Nutrient Crops as Attractors: Paddy, maize, and sugarcane provide calorie-rich food compared to wild forage. Crop-feeding increases reproductive success, leading to higher calf survival and herd growth.
Habitat Carrying Capacity Exceeded: Degraded dry deciduous forests in central India cannot sustain growing elephant populations. Overgrazing by livestock further reduces natural fodder.
Behavioural Adaptation: New generations of elephants raised in cropland-dominated areas learn crop-raiding behaviour early, making the pattern self-reinforcing.

Way Forward

Landscape-Level Planning: Elephant management must move beyond state boundaries. Multi-state coordination is essential as herds traverse Jharkhand–Odisha–Chhattisgarh–MP–Maharashtra landscapes.
Corridor Restoration: Identify and legally secure elephant corridors. Reconnect fragmented forests through eco-bridges, underpasses, and regulated land use.
Regulating Mining & Infrastructure: Stricter environmental clearances in elephant habitats. Cumulative impact assessments rather than project-wise approvals.
Habitat Restoration: Restore degraded forests and grasslands. Develop water sources in forest interiors to reduce crop dependency. However, restoration may take 20–40 years.
Crop Pattern Diversification: Promote less palatable crops near forest edges. Introduce community-based deterrents like chilli fencing and early-warning systems:
Uniform & Timely Compensation: Standardize compensation across states. Rapid payment builds community tolerance and reduces retaliatory action.
Technology & Monitoring: Use GPS-collaring, drone monitoring, and AI-based early warning systems to predict herd movement and alert villages in advance.

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