Concept Note:

Wildlife corridors have been used by various species to migrate, breed, and feed since ages. These are increasingly becoming relevant as essential tools for wildlife conservation. The mapping of them in the past few years have been done to understand the pattern and area of passage from which they pass so that these can be protected for their safety. However relentless development and degradation have led to the division of the habitat thereby affecting the corridors and the biodiversity of the region.

It has been documented that the Asiatic Elephants have been the one of the most frequent species to have used these paths to go from one place to another. They have often crossed through the core areas in the wildlife sanctuaries and have either been injured and or killed in the process. The animals cannot really be faulted as the corridors falls in the path that they have used to travel since time immemorial.

According to a report published by the Wildlife Trust of India, titled ‘Right of Passage: Elephant Corridors of India’ it highlights that it is humans who are increasingly entering into the space belonging to elephants. The rapid increase in industrial and infrastructural development, especially around forests, has resulted in widespread habitat fragmentation and isolation. Added to this, the growing development (for tourism, linear infrastructure, etc.) around protected areas, and the altered boundaries of these, has worsened this situation.

One of the major instigators of human–wildlife conflict is competition for space. Destruction of forests through logging, encroachment, slash-and-burn (jhum) shifting cultivation, and monoculture tree plantations are major threats to the survival of the elephant. But it is also a fact that development of wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and animal conservatories is also important for the expansion of tourism in the area.

Our aim, through this conversation would be to seek answers to the following questions:

• Development is inevitable, but so is the sanctity of the animal corridors. Can both go hand in hand?
• How can the human wildlife conflicts be reduced?
• Role of individuals in protecting these corridors and the associated biodiversity.

We have had the privilege of inviting experts who have not only been pioneers in the mapping of the animal corridors and studying the ways and means of how infrastructural development and conservation of wildlife can be balanced. The forthcoming thoughts and opinions on the subject would be of valuable contribution which would help us gain knowledge on the protection and preservation of this beautiful biodiversity.