The recently concluded symposium on Managing Human-Wildlife Conflict organized by the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) in collaboration with Pazhassi Raja College brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the growing challenges of human-wildlife interactions in Wayanad. Experts, local administrators, tribal leaders, and academicians engaged in meaningful dialogue, emphasizing that traditional knowledge systems should play a critical role in mitigating such conflicts.
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Key Insights and Discussions:
- Rising Conflicts: Participants pointed out the increasing frequency of conflicts with elephants, tigers, and wild boars. While some recalled a more harmonious coexistence during their childhood, others highlighted how wild boars have become a particularly destructive force, damaging crops such as tubers.
- Conservation Success and Its Challenges: Some speakers attributed the growing elephant and tiger populations to successful conservation efforts over the last three decades, leading to greater human-wildlife interactions. Others disagreed, cautioning against attributing the rise solely to conservation.
- Role of Indigenous Knowledge: Nearly all attendees acknowledged the importance of traditional forest management practices. Tribal representatives highlighted that, historically, they acted as natural barriers along the internal forest peripheries, using non-invasive methods to guide animals back into the forest. The displacement of tribal communities has removed this vital buffer, contributing to escalated conflicts.
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- Forest Management Practices: The over-replacement of natural bamboo forests with teak and eucalyptus plantations was identified as a major concern. Unlike bamboo, which serves as a primary food source for elephants, eucalyptus remains inedible. The resultant scarcity of food within forests drives elephants into human habitats.
- Collaborative Solutions: Robert Axtell, a distinguished academic, presented computational models simulating animal movements in Nepal and the US. He proposed developing an agent-based model for Wayanad to predict the outcomes of various policy measures, such as the reintroduction of bamboo forests or the strategic involvement of tribal communities in forest management.
- Social Media and Conflict Management: The Divisional Forest Officer expressed concerns about misinformation and sensationalism during animal encounters, exacerbating tensions. He urged responsible behavior from the media, social media influencers, and the public to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife.
- Tourism and Conservation: Discussions also touched upon the balance between tourism growth and ecological preservation. While some advocated for increased hotels to cater to high-end tourists, others supported promoting eco-friendly homestays that align with sustainable tourism practices.
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Path Forward:
Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director of IIM Kozhikode, reiterated the need for collaborative action and added “Integrating traditional wisdom with modern science is the key to achieving sustainable coexistence. This symposium has been a vital step in identifying actionable strategies that benefit both communities and wildlife.”
IIM Kozhikode remains committed to working alongside policymakers, researchers, and local communities to advance these solutions and foster lasting change.
About Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode: The fifth IIM to be established by Govt. of India in 1996, IIMK started its academic journey in 1997 with its flagship Postgraduate Program (PGP). The Institute is on a high growth trajectory today, offering widest range of academic programs in the field of management education. These include Doctoral Programme in Management (PhD), Executive PG Programmes, Management Development Programmes and Faculty Development Programs. IIMK set up a Satellite campus at Infopark, Kochi, in 2013 dedicated to Executive Education. IIMK has also the unique distinction of launching a PhD (Practice Track) programme for working professionals besides bringing in new dynamic courses like one-year Post Graduate programme in Business Leadership (2019) MBA in Finance and MBA in Liberal Studies & Management (2020). The institute is also home to IIMK LIVE a first-of-its-kind startup incubation programme, the Indian Business Museum and six other Centres of Excellences encompassing diverse areas. IIMK is ranked 3rd as per NIRF Rankings 2024: Management. The institute also made its global debut for its flagship MBA and EMBA programme in the 2020/21 QS World University Rankings. In 2023, IIM Kozhikode also broke into Top-100 in Financial Times Ranking for Masters in Management (MBA) and gained 9 spots in 2024 to reach global #68. The Institute also attained global rank #70 in the FT Open Enrollment Programme for 2024. The Institute is globally accredited by EQUIS (EFMD) and AMBA (UK).
