A Troubling New Normal In Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand, human–wildlife conflict was long framed around the tiger, but the narrative has now shifted, with the leopard and the Asiatic black bear becoming the dominant sources of conflict.

Leopard Vs Asiatic Black Bear

• The Leopard (Tendua): The leopard is elusive and highly adaptable, and many have shifted from deep forests to village fringes, leading to a rise in human fatalities.
• Asiatic Black Bear: The Asiatic black bear is highly aggressive and is known to cause severe mauling, with women grass-cutters being frequent victims.

The Paradox of Tiger Success

• Role of Project Tiger: Project Tiger’s success has emerged as one of the most critical drivers of this conservation paradox.
• Rising Tiger Numbers: Tiger populations in Corbett and Rajaji national parks increased from 442 in 2018 to over 560 by 2023.
• Ecosystem-Level Impact: Managing a single species without addressing broader ecosystem dynamics has heightened the risks posed by leopards and bears.
• Conservation Dilemma: This exposes the dark side of conservation success amid wider ecological change.

Ecological Displacement- The “Core vs. Fringe” Concept

• Dominance in Core Areas: Rising tiger numbers and their dominance in core forest areas have forced leopards out of prime hunting territories.
• Cascading Ecological Effects: This displacement has triggered cascading effects on leopard behaviour.
• Behavioural Change: Leopards have shifted from stealthy forest hunters to scavengers along forest fringes.
• Increased Human Proximity: This behavioural shift has made leopards more volatile and less fearful of human presence.
• Spatial Distribution: Nearly 79% of Uttarakhand’s leopard population now lives outside protected areas.
  

Ghost Villages (Palaayan)- The Link Between Migration and Predators

• Scale of Migration: Mass migration or “palaayan” from the hills is a powerful and unique driver of conflict.
• Causes of Outmigration: High unemployment and lack of quality healthcare and education have driven migration.
• Demographic Impact: More than five lakh people have left their villages over the last decade. Thousands of villages have become partially or wholly abandoned.
• Ecological Transformation: Deserted villages have turned into dense thickets dominated by invasive plants like Lantana camara.
• Predator Havens: These landscapes provide ideal cover and habitat for leopards and bears.
  

Prey Base and Dietary Shift

• Habitat Degradation: Development activities and forest fires have reduced the availability of natural prey such as deer and wild boar.
• Forced Dietary Shifts: Reduced prey availability has forced predators to seek food near human settlements, leading them to prey on stray dogs and livestock increasingly.
• Bear Attractants: Bears are drawn to garbage dumps, unattended orchards, and crops like maize and millet.
• Climate Change Impact on Bears: Rising temperatures linked to climate change have shortened bear hibernation periods, increasing bear activity and human encounters.

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Way Forward

• Need for Policy Shift: There is a need to move away from single-species conservation towards inclusive strategies.
• Community Empowerment: Communities bearing the brunt of conflict must be empowered.
• Predator Proofing: Construction of Predator-proof corrals and solar-powered fences can reduce livestock depredation.
• Prey Base Restoration: Restoring forested land along the fringes can strengthen the natural prey base.

Conclusion

There is a need to revitalise hill economies to retain youth, revive abandoned villages to curb migration and predator presence, and adopt an integrated approach that balances conservation with human safety and local needs.

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