Living with jungle giants: human-elephant dynamics and coexistence alternatives in the transboundary Landscape of Kangchenjunga

Studies on human-elephant interactions are typically confined to a single country. Since elephants traverse international boundaries, it is critical to comprehend human-elephant interactions along their migration routes and recognize the significance of conserving these animals. A rapid appraisal was conducted to primarily understand the human-elephant dynamics in the transboundary lowlands of the Kangchenjunga landscape, encompassing regions of Bhutan, India, and Nepal, and highlight community-identified options for coexistence between humans and elephants in the shared landscape. Elephant populations in the transboundary landscape faced significant threats due to habitat loss and fragmentation as a result of increasing human settlements, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Habitat reduction and dietary changes were common reasons for the increased raids by elephants on human settlements for food. Conflict prevention and mitigation were hindered by inadequate resources, while waste mismanagement aggravated human-elephant conflicts. Limited expertise among forest personnel and ineffective compensation systems further challenged wildlife conservation. Some potential options identified by communities as vital for human-elephant coexistence included habitat restoration, capacity building, livelihood diversification, cultivation of non-palatable crops, financial incentives for recultivating fallow land, standardization of compensation and insurance practices, transboundary cooperation, and building tolerance through alternative techniques. These strategies were aimed at mitigating conflicts, promoting understanding, ensuring sustainable cohabitation, and emphasizing the importance of collaboration between governments, conservation organizations, and local communities to safeguard elephants and enhance conservation efforts.