Human-Animal Conflict Management Through Judicial Intervention: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Laws and policies play an equally essential role in the attempt to conserve species as do science, technology and institutional management. Effective legal policy execution will turn conservation into a success story and promote sustainable development. Socio-economic development most of the time takes place at the expense of environmental degradation in India. Legal provisions can help to address the country's conservation issues and governance tools. The study aims to understand how law and policies act as vital tool to change the prevailing conflict to a peaceful conservation. The study highlights the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 and associated state legislation as the primary legal framework governing conservation of wildlife and their natural habitats in India. Furthermore, the study examines the effectiveness of legal provisions in addressing human-animal conflict and identifies gaps in implementation and enforcement. It also explores the role of national policy interventions such as, protected area management, eco-sensitive zone and community-based conservation initiatives in mitigating conflict. Through a critical analysis of the legislature and judicial pronouncement related habitat conservation, this study elucidates the complexities of human-animal conflict in India and provides insights into the strengths and limitations of existing legal and policy frameworks. It underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches and greater community engagement to achieve sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife in India's diverse landscapes.