Wildlife Corridors, India

Asian elephants are also in a perilous state as their habitat has decreased to approximately half of their historic range. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation are the key factors contributing to their endangerment. With only 35,000-45,000 Asian elephants remaining in the wild, an effective and swift plan for the protection of the few remaining elephants is vital to their survival.

In India, with the work of IFAW and partner organization Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), elephant conservation is in progression through habitat linkages deemed “corridors”. Eighty-eight corridors have been identified in 11 elephant range provinces. Such are of the utmost importance in India, as the few remaining areas of elephant habitat are generally isolated, thereby precluding freedom to range, and access to sufficient vegetation.

Conflict between humans and elephants is of extreme concern in India, and fatalities of both are frequently in the headlines for this reason. Securing corridors is a long and arduous process which involves a great deal of politics and funding, but the benefits to conservation and local livelihoods are immeasurable.

Corridor Procurement

While many corridors (88) have been recognized throughout India as target areas for wildlife/elephant corridors, the procurement process is even more intensive. In order to bestow a tract of land with “corridor” status, there are many components that must first be in proper standing.

Comprehensive studies are undertaken to determine the viability of any given corridor. These include the extent of the corridor land, legal status of the corridor, landscape pattern, land-use pattern, details of settlements/ inhabitants/man-made structures in the corridor, corridor usage by elephants, corridor dependency by nearby villagers (if any), threats to the corridors, land ownership, cost of acquisition, feasibility of acquisition, etc. Further to the above, surveys on cultivation and crop damage details must also be taken into consideration.

As of November 2007, one corridor (Edayarhalli-Doddasampige- also known as Bekkatur-Arabikere) has been fully acquired, with signage erected. The acquired corridor land will be handed over to the state forest department in December 2007 to maintain the elephant corridor ensuring connectivity between BRT Wildlife Sanctuary and Kollegal Reserve Forest.

From Kerala Wayanard corridor area, elephant crossing path in front of official sign.

An Asian elephant herd crossing the road, demonstrating a pre-cursor to human-elephant conflict, which elephant corridors will help to remedy.