**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary question regarding human-elephant conflict (HEC), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) clarified its role and actions taken to address this issue, particularly in vulnerable forest-fringe areas. While the primary responsibility for wildlife management, including HEC mitigation, rests with State Governments/Union Territories (UTs) Administrations, the central government provides support through various means.
State Forest Departments are actively engaging with local communities through awareness campaigns to educate the public on HEC and disseminate information. They also collaborate with communities to monitor elephant movements and prevent conflict, aiming to minimize damage, loss of life, and harm to elephants. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides the legal framework for managing human-wildlife interactions.
The MoEFCC has issued specific guidance in the form of "Guidelines for Human-Elephant Conflict mitigation taking a Harmonious Coexistence Approach (2023)" to aid in addressing HEC. Additionally, a "Field Manual for Frontline Staff on Human-Elephant Conflict Management" was released on April 29, 2022, during the 16th Meeting of the Steering Committee.
Beyond state-level compensation schemes, the MoEFCC offers financial assistance to States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Project Tiger Elephant, for ex-gratia relief, subject to fund availability. The original question was raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3544 on August 11, 2025, by SMT. June Maliah. The response was provided by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change mitigation.
SOP for Human-Elephant Conflict: Standard Operating Procedure for managing Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in India.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India, specifically the 'jungle mahal region' is mentioned as an area of elephant migration and conflict.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: An act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1972 for the protection of plants and animal species.
Guidelines for Human-Elephant Conflict mitigation taking a Harmonious Coexistence Approach 2023: Guidelines released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for mitigating Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in India.
Field Manual for Frontline Staff on Human-Elephant Conflict Management: A field manual released during the 16th Meeting of the Steering Committee on 29th April, 2022 to help frontline staff to manage humanelephant conflict.
Project Tiger Elephant: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme under which the Ministry provides financial assistance to States/UTs for ex-gratia relief related to human-elephant conflict.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3544
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
SOP for Human-Elephant Conflict
3544. SMT. JUNE MALIAH:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has conducted or commissioned any recent study or survey on
the patterns and causes of elephant migration and conflict in jungle mahal region in
West Bengal, if so, the findings thereof;
(b) whether the Government has a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or national
framework in place for States to follow in managing human-elephant conflict, if so, the
details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government is considering to launch a community-based compensation and
insurance scheme for crop and livelihood losses caused by wildlife incursions in
vulnerable forest-fringe areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) The management of wildlife including mitigation and management of human-elephant
conflict (HEC) is primarily the responsibility of State Governments/UTs
Administration. The State Forest Departments are working with the local people to
address the HEC issues through periodic awareness campaigns to sensitize, guide and
advise the general public on human-animal conflict including dissemination of
information through various forms of media. Further, State Forest Departments
engage with local communities to monitor the movement of elephants and to caution
local people to avoid human-animal conflict, prevent damage or loss of human life,
property and elephants. Further, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides
regulatory functions for dealing with human-wildlife situations.
In addition, Ministry has released Guidelines for Human-Elephant Conflict mitigation
taking a Harmonious Coexistence Approach (2023) for addressing human-elephant
conflicts. Moreover, Field Manual for Frontline Staff on Human-Elephant Conflict
Management, was also released during the 16th Meeting of the Steering Committee on
29th April, 2022.
In addition to compensation schemes of the State Governments/UTs Administration,
the Ministry also provides financial assistance to States/UTs under Centrally
Sponsored Scheme, Project Tiger & Elephant, for ex-gratia relief, depending upon
availability of funds.
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