HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT AND ITS IMPACT ON CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a significant and growing challenge to conservation efforts worldwide. It arises when the needs and behaviors of wildlife overlap with human populations, leading to competition for resources, damage to property, threats to human safety, and loss of biodiversity. This conflict often results in retaliatory killings of wildlife, habitat destruction, and social tension between communities and conservation authorities. The negative impacts of HWC not only threaten the survival of many endangered species but also undermine local support for conservation initiatives, leading to further environmental degradation. Effective mitigation strategies, including the use of technology, community-based conservation, and sustainable land-use practices, are essential for reducing conflict and promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife. The long-term success of conservation programs depends on integrating these approaches with broader policies that address human livelihoods and ecological sustainability.