The State Governments and UT Administrations are the primary responders for prevention of Human Elephant Conflict including the crimes related to elephant poaching. The Project Elephant scheme launched by Government of India with major objectives to protect elephants, their habitat and corridors, to address issues of man-elephant conflict and welfare of captive elephants in the country including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. The Ministry has taken following measures to prevent human elephant conflict including poaching of elephants in the country:
The Ministry provides financial and technical assistance to States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’ for protection and conservation of the species and their habitats in the country including creation of anti-poaching Squad/camps, patrolling duties, reward to informers on information on poachers etc.
An advisory on Human-Wildlife Conflict including dealing the wildlife crime has been issued by the Ministry on 6th February, 2021.
To reduce human-elephant conflict and to avoid retaliatory killing of elephants, compensation is being provided to local communities for loss of their property and life caused by wild elephants. The Ministry has notified enhancement of ex-gratia rates related to wildlife depredation vide letter No. 14-2/2011 WL-I (part) dated 9th February, 2018.
Various other Centrally Sponsored schemes being implemented by this Ministry contribute to the improvement in the natural habitat of elephants by augmenting water sources, planting of fodder trees, regeneration of bamboo etc. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016 and the Rules made there under also provide for use of the Fund for development of wildlife habitats, including for elephants, establishment of animal rescue centres, etc. which also contribute to reduction in HEC.
