Forest Minister attributes human-animal conflicts to increase in animal population

Why in news

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre attributed the rise in human-animal conflicts to the population growth of wildlife following the implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Background

The tiger population in Karnataka increased from 12 in 1972 to 200 currently. Bandipur National Park has an estimated carrying capacity of 100-110 tigers, which is currently exceeded.

Facts for Prelims

• Act / BillWildlife Protection Act of 1972: Legislation that prohibited hunting and led to population growth of protected species.
• FactBandipur National Park: Estimated carrying capacity is 100-110 tigers.
• FactKarnataka tiger census: Population grew from 12 in 1972 to 200 in the present day.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the ecological and socio-economic challenges arising from the mismatch between wildlife population growth and the carrying capacity of protected areas in India.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Ecological imbalance: Over-saturation of tiger populations exceeding the biological carrying capacity of Bandipur National Park.
• Human-wildlife friction: Territorial disputes and safety risks resulting from population growth post-hunting ban.
• Policy trade-off: Balancing conservation success under the Wildlife Protection Act with local community safety and land use.

Keywords: carrying capacity · human-animal conflict · wildlife conservation · ecological equilibrium · population dynamics

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