WWF-UNEP report on Human-wildlife coexistence

WHY IN NEWS?

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) recently released its report titled “A future for all – the need for human-wildlife coexistence”.

ABOUT:

• As per report, human-animal conflict is one of the main threats for long-term survival of world’s most iconic species.
• Conflict-related deaths affect more than 75 per cent of world’s wild cat species.
• It also affects polar bears, Mediterranean monk seals and large herbivores like elephants.
• Global wildlife populations have decreased by 68 per cent since 1970 because of conflicts.

What does report highlights about India?

• In India, human-elephant conflict resulted into killing of 500 elephants and 2361 people during 2014-2015 and 2018-2019.
• India is going to be most-affected by human-wildlife conflict because of having world’s second-largest human population and large populations of tigers, Asiatic Lions, Asian elephants, one-horned rhinos etc.
• Way forward

Human-animal conflict cannot be eradicated completely. However, a well-planned and integrated approaches can be adopted in order to reduce conflicts. It can also lead to a form of coexistence between humans and animals