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Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

PYQs

7

Articles

2

Momentum

24

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

HWC is a critical challenge for India's conservation efforts, impacting sustainable development, rural livelihoods, and the effectiveness of protected area management. It often involves complex socio-economic and ecological dimensions, making it relevant for policy and governance discussions.

Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) refers to the negative interactions between humans and wild animals, occurring when wildlife requirements overlap with human activities, leading to adverse impacts on both human lives and livelihoods, and wildlife populations and habitats. It is a critical challenge for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Nature of Conflict

Varies across landscapes (e.g., human-elephant, tiger, leopard conflicts) requiring location-specific management approaches.

Integrated Approach

Requires combining ecological conservation with protection of human lives and livelihoods.

Mitigation Strategies

Includes habitat improvement, protection of wildlife corridors, rapid response systems, early warning systems, and community engagement.

Technological Solutions

Modern technologies like GIS, AI, drones, radio telemetry, and predictive analytics are being employed.

Varying Conflict Patterns

Conflict patterns vary across landscapes and species, with human-elephant conflict predominant in several states, alongside conflicts involving tigers, leopards, bears, and other species.

Integrated Management Approach

Effective management requires an integrated approach combining ecological conservation with the protection of human lives and livelihoods, using location-specific strategies.

Community Participation

Community engagement, public awareness, and strengthening frontline capacity are crucial for successful long-term coexistence.

Primary Drivers

Habitat loss and fragmentation, expansion of agriculture into forest fringes, increased human population density near protected areas, and availability of attractive food sources (crops) for wildlife.

Reference table

Key Initiatives for HWC Management

InitiativePurpose
Centre of Excellence on HWC (CoE-HWC)National institution for scientific research, tech innovation, policy support, capacity building, and community-centred approaches.
National Human-Wildlife Conflict PortalUnified digital platform for recording incidents, data management, knowledge sharing, and decision support.
Regional Action Plan on Elephant Conservation (South India)Approved plan for specific elephant conservation and conflict mitigation efforts in the region.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironment & Ecology
Conceptual areaBiodiversity Conservation
Conceptual areaSustainable Development
Conceptual areaBiodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Law & Policy

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Centre of Excellence on Human–Wildlife Conflict (CoE-HWC) at SACON, WII South CentreResearch, capacity building, policy support
State Forest DepartmentsImplements mitigation measures
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)Policy formulation, oversight, coordination
Centre of Excellence on Human–Wildlife Conflict (CoE-HWC) at SACON, WII South Centre, CoimbatoreScientific research, policy support, capacity building
National Human–Wildlife Conflict PortalData management, knowledge sharing, decision support
Centre for Wildlife StudiesConducts research, provides insights into conflict dynamics
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • HWC: competition for resources between humans and wildlife.
  • Impacts: crop damage, human casualties, livestock depredation, retaliatory killings.
  • Mitigation: landscape-specific plans, technology, habitat improvement, community engagement.
  • Key institutions: MoEFCC, CoE-HWC, National HWC Portal.
  • Requires integrated approach: conservation + livelihood protection.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct? 1. It showca...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following activities: 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spo...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habi...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following activities: 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spo...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habi...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2013Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat? 1. Tamil Nadu 2. Kerala 3. Karnataka 4. Andhra Pradesh Select the corr...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environment & EcologyBiodiversity ConservationSustainable DevelopmentBiodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Prelims 2013· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat? 1. Tamil Nadu 2. Kerala 3. Karnataka 4. Andhra Pradesh Select the corr...

Open question
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Open question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Open question
Prelims 2014· Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Open question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following activities: 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spo...

Open question

With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habi...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following activities: 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spo...

Open question

With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habi...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct? 1. It showca...

Open question

Union Environment Minister chairs Parliamentary Consultative Committee Meeting of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in New Delhi

05 Aug 2026 · Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is a growing challenge in India, necessitating integrated, landscape-specific management strategies. Key approaches involve technological solutions, community participation, habitat improvement, and institutional frameworks like the CoE-HWC and National HWC Portal to ensure coexistence.

Read article

Human-elephant conflict: Crop loss, property damage caused by tuskers highest post-monsoon, says study

28 Aug 2026 · Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is a growing concern in India, driven by habitat loss and agricultural expansion. It results in crop damage, human casualties, and retaliatory killings of animals. Effective mitigation requires a multi-pronged approach including habitat management, deterrents, and community engagement.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

Often confused with

Forest and Tree Cover & Protected Area Network in India

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 7 linked questions on Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following activities: 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spo...

2020·Science & Technology
Solve

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habi...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct? 1. It showca...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat? 1. Tamil Nadu 2. Kerala 3. Karnataka 4. Andhra Pradesh Select the corr...

2013·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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