Strengthening Human Elephant Co-existence in Western Nepal
Nepal has a small but growing population of elephants existing in increasingly human dominated landscapes creating serious human-elephant conflict (HEC). Habitat fragmentation, retaliatory killings, and inadequate coordination among agencies has created a low level of conservation awareness and increased HEC. To address this issue in the western region of Bardia-Suklaphanta, this project forms four Elephant Response Teams to help address conflict and reduce fatalities. The ERTs respond to HEC incidents, conduct village-level outreach and education to change attitudes towards elephants, and strengthen cooperation between local agencies and stakeholders.
IEF #1037
Project Years: 2020-2024
Project Partners:
Ashok Kumar Ram, Sustainable Development Initiative Centre (SDIC), Nepal