‘CHAOS of Conflict and CHARM of Coexistence’: A Study of Local Community’S Perceptions of Elephants in Odisha

Studies highlight several factors that have over the years altered the bonds between the humans and elephants. The most highlighted interactions that have shaped the present bonds has been mostly negative in nature. This particularly threatens the future of elephants in areas that report high human elephant conflict (HEC). Despite several attempts to mitigate the issue and curb intolerance against elephant depredation such as making provisions for ex-gratia to aid the afflicted families, conducting awareness campaigns, training workshops, introducing defensive technologies, demarcating elephant corridors, etc, the frequency and magnitude of HEC is continuing to grow. Having this in background, this study attempted to understand local community’s perceptions of elephants, their responses towards HEC and future of human-elephants coexistence in northern Odisha that is affected by resident elephants as well as inter-state elephant migration. For the purpose semi- structured interviews conducted with 349 respondents across eight affected villages. Further exploring cultural and socio-economic components of changing human-elephant bonds as well as tolerance towards elephants, this study has made suggestions for potential participatory and community based mitigation strategies to improve the bonds.