SUMMARY

Elephant - the biggest animal on earth has an unavoidable importance in our

cultural life. Apart from being the official animal of the state it symbolizes our
great cultural heritage, economical prosperity and rich biodiversity. It is common
in grandmother’s tails, great literary works etc. The Asian elephant has become a
seriously endangered species and is listed as such in the Red Data Book of the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(IUCN).In India, which is the second most populated country in the world (311
people/ km2) (Census of India 2001), natural habitats of elephants are under threat
due to an array of human activities. The reduction of natural habitats and
expansion of agriculture and urbanization increases the interface of humans and
elephant often leading to conflict situations. Apart from hunting, Human elephant
conflict (HEC) is the most serious issue. The finding of the present study shows
that HEC is the common occurrence in the Poolampara and Varali. Vast majority
of the respondents reported that crop raiding the major problem caused by the
elephants. Traditional management methods of managing conflicts were used by
the majority of the respondents including Noise-making, Fire/smoke and guarding.
The one third of the respondents was used torch lights. Lack of sufficient
knowledge and financial constrains not allowed the respondents to adopt the new
techniques In HEC. The Present study also indicates that People have negative
attitude towards elephant due to the continuous loss of crop raiding and also
dissatisfied with Forest department activities.

So the present study recommends that forest department and government

should provide financial and technical assistance to the formers for adopting new
techniques for facing HEC. Educating people is also more important for minimizie
the human elephant conflict.