Bahraich, a district rich in biodiversity, recently found itself in the spotlight for an alarming reason: wolves. In a tragic string of events, 10 children have lost their lives, and 35 others have been injured, triggering panic across the district. The situation escalated to such a degree that the state’s Forest Minister and senior forest officials launched “Operation Bhediya,” deploying thermal drones and specialised teams to track the wolves.
Why Bahraich?
Bahraich’s geography, nestled between the Himalayan foothills and rich Gangetic alluvial deposits, makes it home to a diverse range of wildlife. The Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies within the district, is a natural habitat for tigers, elephants, and wolves. However, like many other parts of India, this area has become vulnerable to human-wildlife conflict due to habitat encroachment and environmental changes.
The wolves in Bahraich, once roaming freely in the wild, have been pushed towards human settlements. Villagers from Ramuapur claim that the recent attacks were driven by revenge after the wolves’ cubs were either killed or displaced due to flooding. Wolves, known for their strong family bonds, are believed to be retaliating.
Bigger Picture: habitat loss and human encroachment
What happened in Bahraich is not an isolated incident. Neighboring districts like Gonda, Balrampur, and Shrawasti face similar threats. The Terai region, bordering Nepal, is experiencing rapid urbanization. With Bahraich’s population growing by 46.08% from 2001–2011, and agriculture being the primary occupation (employing 82% of the population), the pressure on natural habitats is mounting. As agriculture expands and deforestation increases, animals are left with no choice but to venture into human settlements in search of food and water.
Impact of poor urban planning and climate change
The lack of proper planning in the expansion of urban areas is another culprit. Often, human settlements are built without considering the wildlife that occupies the land. This increases the likelihood of conflicts. To make matters worse, climate change is exacerbating the problem. As temperatures rise, water sources dry up, and food becomes scarcer in the wild. Animals, driven by hunger and desperation, venture into human territories, bringing them into closer and often dangerous contact with people.
Ecosystem imbalance
The impact of human-wildlife conflict goes beyond the immediate danger to humans. These conflicts disturb predator-prey ratios, threaten species survival, and reduce biodiversity. Livelihoods are lost as crops are destroyed, livestock killed, and communities live in fear. The disruption to the ecosystem has long-term consequences, potentially affecting ecosystem services that humans depend on.
The way forward: Steps for coexistence
The National Wildlife Action Plan 2017–2030 provides clear guidelines on managing human-wildlife conflict. It recommends:
- Creating comprehensive databases to track conflict frequencies and impacts.
- Developing species-specific conflict mitigation strategies.
- A multi-stakeholder approach that includes forest managers, scientists, and community leaders to craft region-specific solutions.
- Training state forest departments to effectively handle conflict situations.
- Establishing a Centre of Excellence for conflict mitigation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
A Call to Action
What is happening in Bahraich is a wake-up call. It is not just a story of wolves seeking revenge but a reminder of the broader issues we face as we continue to encroach on nature. To prevent future tragedies, long-term strategies and community involvement are essential. Bahraich, along with other vulnerable regions, must take proactive measures to ensure a future where both humans and wildlife can coexist.