Why this conservation ‘win’ is far from a jumbo success
Times Of India
Context and Central Thesis
The article interrogates the narrative of a conservation “success” in Chhattisgarh, where rising elephant numbers are being showcased as ecological achievement. It argues that while population growth may indicate recovery, the sharp rise in human–elephant conflict, habitat fragmentation, and preventable deaths on both sides reveals a deeper crisis.
The central thesis: numerical recovery without habitat security and conflict mitigation cannot be called conservation success.
Key Arguments Presented
Population increase masks ecological stress
Elephants migrating into Chhattisgarh from neighbouring states have expanded their presence. However, this growth reflects displacement pressures and shrinking habitats rather than ecosystem stability.
Human–elephant conflict is escalating
The article highlights fatalities, crop destruction, house damage, and retaliatory actions. Casualties among elephants—electrocution, poaching, and accidents—mirror rising human deaths.
Habitat fragmentation due to mining and infrastructure
Rampant mining, forest diversion, rail lines, roads, and transmission infrastructure have disrupted traditional elephant corridors, pushing herds into settlements.
Policy response remains reactive
Forest departments largely respond after incidents—through compensation, crowd control, or arrests—rather than focusing on preventive corridor restoration and land-use planning.
Socio-economic vulnerability intensifies conflict
Rural communities dependent on forests for livelihoods bear disproportionate burdens. Delayed compensation and lack of livelihood diversification deepen resentment.
Author’s Stance
The author adopts a critical but conservation-oriented stance. The tone is not anti-conservation; instead, it argues for deeper ecological thinking beyond headline population figures. The critique is directed at governance gaps rather than the conservation goal itself.
Biases and Perspective
Ecological integrity bias
The article privileges habitat continuity and wildlife protection frameworks, sometimes underplaying developmental imperatives such as mining-linked employment.
Community-sympathetic lens
It foregrounds the suffering of affected villagers, which strengthens moral appeal but may simplify administrative complexity.
Anti-fragmentation emphasis
Infrastructure projects are presented largely as drivers of ecological disruption, with limited engagement with mitigation technologies.
Pros and Cons Highlighted
Pros
- Draws attention to the qualitative dimension of conservation
- Emphasises coexistence rather than species counts
- Links ecological degradation with development policy
- Highlights need for scientific corridor mapping and proactive planning
Cons
- Limited discussion of fiscal and governance constraints
- Does not fully explore economic dependence on mining
- Understates challenges of balancing conservation and energy security
Policy Implications
Landscape-level conservation planning
Conservation must move from protected-area thinking to corridor-based, landscape-level management.
Mining and infrastructure regulation
Environmental impact assessments must meaningfully integrate wildlife movement data.
Compensation and community engagement
Timely and transparent compensation systems, crop insurance, and alternative livelihood schemes are essential.
Technology-based mitigation
Early warning systems, fencing innovations, and real-time tracking can reduce casualties.
Inter-state coordination
Elephant migration across state borders demands cooperative federal frameworks.
Real-World Impact
- Villagers face livelihood losses and safety threats
- Elephants experience habitat shrinkage and unnatural mortality
- Forest departments confront trust deficits
- Development projects face scrutiny and legal challenges
UPSC GS Paper Alignment
GS Paper II (Governance)
- Environmental governance and Centre–State coordination
- Welfare and compensation mechanisms
GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology)
- Human–wildlife conflict
- Biodiversity conservation and habitat fragmentation
- Sustainable development
GS Paper IV (Ethics)
- Inter-generational equity
- Balancing development with ecological responsibility
Essay Paper
- “Can development and conservation coexist?”
- “Beyond numbers: redefining success in environmental policy”
Balanced Conclusion and Future Perspective
The article effectively challenges celebratory narratives that equate rising wildlife numbers with conservation success. It reminds policymakers that coexistence, habitat continuity, and community inclusion are the real metrics of ecological achievement.
Going forward, India must adopt an integrated approach that aligns conservation with land-use planning, mining policy, and rural development. Without corridor restoration and proactive mitigation, rising elephant numbers may continue to generate human tragedy—undermining both conservation legitimacy and social harmony.
