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Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

PYQs

6

Articles

1

Momentum

17

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

HWC is a critical environmental challenge in India, directly impacting biodiversity conservation efforts, rural livelihoods, human safety, and sustainable development goals. It tests policy effectiveness, inter-state coordination, and the application of science and technology in governance and environmental management.

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.

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
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

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

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

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

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

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
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
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

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

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

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

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

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

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 6 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

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

2020·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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