Initiative / Scheme Centre of Excellence on Human-Wildlife Conflict (CoE-HWC) Background: The Centre of Excellence on Human-Wildlife Conflict was inaugurated in Coimbatore on July 10, 2026. About the Centre of Excellence on Human-Wildlife Conflict This Centre of Excellence has been established by the following institutions: Wildlife Institute of India Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History Objective: To enhance India's scientific knowledge and institutional capacity to effectively address the growing issue of human-wildlife conflict. Role of the Centre The Centre will function as a national-level nodal agency for: Research on human-wildlife conflict Innovation and development of new solutions Policy formulation Capacity building and training Sharing best practices for conflict management It will promote science- and evidence-based decision-making by integrating: Ecological research Modern technologies Community participation in wildlife conservation National Human-Wildlife Conflict Portal The 'National Human-Wildlife Conflict Portal' has been launched as a central digital platform for: Collecting and storing conflict-related data Data analysis Knowledge sharing Supporting better decision-making Functions of the portal: Recording conflict incidents in real-time Enhancing coordination among forest departments, researchers, and local communities Assisting governments in making informed policies and management decisions Key Areas of Focus To mitigate conflicts, the Centre will develop strategies tailored to specific animal species and regions. Special attention will be focused on conflicts involving the following animals: elephants, tigers, and leopards. It will also address the management of tigers that venture outside designated tiger reserves. Key Objectives Promoting preventive measures to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Increasing public awareness regarding wildlife conservation. Encouraging the participation of local communities and other stakeholders. Minimizing damage to: Crops, livestock, property, and human lives. Ensuring the safety and welfare of wildlife. Three Key Themes of the Inaugural Workshop Human-elephant conflict Human-big cat conflict Technology and innovation for mitigating human-wildlife conflict Technologies to be Employed The center will…
