A Decade of Human-wildlife Conflict in India: Systematic Review of Trends, Hotspots, and Key Species

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is becoming a progressively pressing issue for conservation and society in India. Often, it’s misunderstood as just wildlife causing harm to humans and their property, without considering the impacts that humans have on wildlife as well. As human populations grow and habitats become more fragmented, incidents of HWC are on the rise in various regions. This review aimed to identify temporal trends, geographic hotspots, and the main taxa involved in HWC, and to assess research gaps. We screened 246 peer-reviewed articles using tools such as Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus, and analysed 155 relevant studies from 141 different journals. The findings reveal that Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal are the states with the most HWC research, with elephants, wild boars, and leopards being the species most often involved. The main types of conflict include crop damage, livestock loss, and human injuries or fatalities. Our spatial and time-based mapping indicates that interest in HWC has grown in recent years, although there was a noticeable decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. A bibliometric analysis highlights keywords such as "HWC," "conservation," and "compensation," showcasing the current research priorities. Despite the increase in studies, there’s still a significant lack of research from north-eastern and central Indian states, particularly regarding retaliatory killings of wildlife. This review emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary, community-focused, and policy-driven research to create sustainable strategies for coexistence. Empathetic, the socio-ecological dynamics are essential for reducing conflict and balancing conservation efforts with local livelihoods.