Human - Elephant Conflict in Rarh Region of West Bengal

Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) simply means the friction between Human and Elephant for sharing proper space and food from both sides. This conflict is now emerging as a crucial problem not only to the eastern India but also the inhabitants of Rarh region of West Bengal India. Most of the people of this region are depending on agricultural and allied activities. They devote themselves into the agricultural land not only by their physical efforts but also their least little money. A number of 70-90 elephants have entered into the fields and eaten crops and destroyed cropping fields. At about 40 % to 60% agricultural land of this region has been severely affected due to this problem. This conflict is now increasing day by day and the inhabitants are enormously suffering. Major consequences of this friction are crop damage market garden damage destruction of houses harassment of poor people and disturbances of their daily activities in some cases killing and injuries of people. This book is an empirical investigation to chalk out the socio-economic impact of HEC in this region and at the same time it is to find out the changing behavior of the wild elephants.