Crop destruction, loss of livelihoods and delayed compensation highlight growing human-wildlife conflict in tribal regions

For thousands of small and marginal farmers in Jharkhand, a single night can erase months of hard work. Across the state's forested districts, increasing encounters with elephants, nilgai, wild boars and monkeys are destroying crops, damaging stored grain and threatening rural livelihoods, leaving farming families trapped in a cycle of uncertainty and loss.

In Katai Tola village of Latehar district, a herd of 14 to 15 elephants entered the village in November 2025 and destroyed hundreds of bundles of harvested paddy stored in threshing grounds. For tribal families dependent on agriculture and daily wage labour, the attack wiped out months of effort and income.

According to state forest department data, Jharkhand records an average of 9,245 crop damage cases and 1,146 grain damage cases caused by elephants every year. The state has nearly 2.4 million small and marginal farmers, many of whom cultivate less than two hectares of land and rely heavily on seasonal harvests for survival.

The crisis extends beyond agriculture. Between 2021 and March 2025, elephants reportedly killed 397 people across the state. In the last two-and-a-half months alone, at least 15 people have lost their lives in elephant-related incidents.

Districts such as Latehar, Khunti, West Singhbhum, Gumla and Ranchi remain among the worst affected by human-elephant conflict.

Farmers say the problem is compounded by inadequate compensation. While the government provides financial assistance for crop losses, many villagers claim the process is complex, time-consuming and often inaccessible. Some report receiving only a fraction of the actual value of destroyed crops, while others are still waiting for compensation years after incidents occurred.

The challenge is not limited to elephants. In the Palamu region, nilgai have emerged as a major threat to crops such as wheat, mustard, pigeon pea, potatoes and onions. Farmers often spend winter nights guarding fields, with some abandoning cultivation altogether due to repeated losses.

Forest officials say efforts are underway to simplify compensation procedures, increase payouts and improve monitoring of elephant movement. However, experts argue that long-term solutions will require stronger crop protection measures, faster relief mechanisms and better coexistence strategies between wildlife and rural communities.

Keywords: Jharkhand elephant attacks, human wildlife conflict India, crop damage by elephants, tribal farmers Jharkhand, compensation for crop loss, Latehar elephant raid, nilgai crop destruction, wildlife conservation, rural livelihoods, agriculture crisis in Jharkhand.

Global study highlights the importance of soil biodiversity, climate resilience and environmental science education

In a breakthrough for environmental science and climate research, an international team of scientists has created the first comprehensive global map of underground fungal networks, revealing a vast biological system stretching an estimated 110 quadrillion kilometres beneath Earth's surface.

The study, led by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), analysed more than 16,000 soil samples using advanced machine learning models to map the distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, microscopic organisms that form vital partnerships with plant roots.

Researchers found that the underground fungal threads collectively weigh around 300 megatons, making them four to six times heavier than the total mass of all humans on Earth. The densest fungal networks were identified in ecosystems such as wetlands, grasslands and floodplains, including hotspots in the Everglades, the Sudd Wetlands and the Tibetan Plateau.

Why the Discovery Matters

Scientists say the findings have significant implications for climate science, biodiversity conservation and environmental education. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with nearly 70% of the world's land plants, extending root systems and helping plants absorb essential nutrients such as phosphorus.

The networks also play a major role in carbon storage. According to researchers, these fungi transfer approximately 4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent into soils annually, helping remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and supporting global climate regulation.

Often referred to as the underground "wood wide web," these fungal systems connect plants, enabling nutrient exchange and strengthening ecosystem resilience.

Warning for Agriculture and Conservation

The study also found that agricultural land contains nearly 50% fewer fungal networks than natural ecosystems due to intensive farming practices, including excessive tilling and fertiliser use.

Researchers warn that wild grasslands, which contain around 40% of global fungal biomass, are disappearing rapidly as land is converted for agriculture. More than 90% of identified fungal biodiversity hotspots currently fall outside protected areas, raising concerns about long-term ecosystem health.

Experts say the newly developed Mycorrhizal Infrastructure Map will serve as an important educational and research resource, helping students, scientists, and policymakers better understand the role of soil biodiversity in climate resilience and sustainable land management.

As India faces increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, a new report has raised concerns that the country's budgetary priorities are yet to fully address the growing climate and public health emergency. The study found that India still lacks a dedicated national funding framework specifically focused on heatwave preparedness, climate adaptation, public health protection, and heat resilience.

The report, Standing the Heat: An Analysis of Heatwave Financing in India’s Union Budget, was jointly released by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA), Greenpeace India, and Budget Analysis and Research Centre (BARC) Trust. Researchers analysed Union Budget allocations between 2020-21 and 2026-27 across 130 schemes administered by 16 ministries.

According to the findings, only 27 schemes were identified as directly relevant to managing heat-related risks. Between 88% and 93% of expenditure flowed through broader development programmes rather than dedicated heatwave mitigation and response initiatives.

The report highlights significant implications for education, research, healthcare and workforce productivity. With rising temperatures disrupting classrooms, affecting student health, and increasing risks for outdoor workers and farming communities, experts argue that climate resilience must become a central component of future public policy.

A key concern flagged in the report is the lack of dedicated heat-related programmes under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Similarly, the Ministry of Labour has no specific occupational heat protection scheme or compensation framework for workers exposed to extreme temperatures.

The report also points to underutilisation of health preparedness funds. In 2024-25, only ₹14.92 crore was spent under the Health Sector Disaster Preparedness and Response Scheme against an allocation of ₹94 crore.

Researchers further noted that the Ministry of Science and Technology received zero allocation for identified heat-relevant schemes from 2025-26 onward. This could affect climate research, heat forecasting, innovation and evidence-based policymaking at a time when changing El Niño and La Niña patterns are making heatwave prediction more challenging.

Experts believe the findings underscore the need for stronger investment in climate education, environmental research, public health preparedness, agricultural resilience, and disaster management to protect vulnerable populations from the escalating impacts of extreme heat.

What began as a small agricultural experiment in 1992 has evolved into one of India's most successful horticulture success stories. Today, strawberry farming in Mahabaleshwar supports thousands of farmers across Maharashtra, with many growers reportedly earning between ₹10 lakh and ₹12 lakh per acre during a successful harvest season.

The transformation can be traced back to Balasaheb Bhilare, a farmer from Bhilar village near Mahabaleshwar, who imported Chandler strawberry seedlings from California in 1992. His experiment proved highly successful, encouraging other farmers in the region to adopt strawberry cultivation. Over the years, Bhilar, Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar emerged as India's leading strawberry-producing belt.

Agriculture experts attribute the success of strawberry cultivation in Maharashtra to the region's unique geographical and climatic conditions. Cool temperatures, moderate sunshine and dry weather during the growing season help produce sweet and flavourful berries. The area's distinctive red, iron-rich soil further enhances crop quality and productivity.

A major milestone came in 2010 when the Mahabaleshwar Strawberry received a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. The recognition strengthened the fruit's market identity, improved consumer trust and enhanced its commercial value across domestic markets.

Today, farmers cultivate several popular varieties, including Nebula, Melissa, R1, Sweet Sensation and imported varieties such as Winter Dawn and Camarosa. With approximately 25,000 saplings planted per acre, strawberry farming has emerged as a lucrative alternative to traditional crops.

The industry's success has also expanded beyond fresh fruit sales. Many farmer families now operate processing units producing strawberry pulp, toppings, frozen fruits and other value-added products, creating additional income streams and reducing post-harvest losses.

The growth of strawberry farming has become an important case study for agricultural students and rural entrepreneurship programmes, demonstrating how innovation, crop diversification and market linkages can transform local economies.

As demand for fresh strawberries and processed products continues to rise, the Mahabaleshwar model is increasingly being viewed as an example of how scientific farming practices can generate sustainable livelihoods and boost farmer incomes across India.

Rising human-elephant conflict in West Bengal is emerging as a major challenge for rural livelihoods, with thousands of farmers reporting severe crop losses as elephant herds increasingly enter agricultural fields in search of food. While community-led conservation initiatives in parts of north Bengal have significantly reduced crop damage, farmers in south Bengal continue to face growing threats to their harvests and incomes.

Districts such as Jhargram, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Purulia, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar have witnessed frequent elephant raids on paddy, corn, mustard, potato and vegetable fields. Farmers say repeated crop destruction is pushing many families into debt and uncertainty.

According to wildlife experts, the problem has intensified due to a combination of rising elephant populations, shrinking habitats and fragmented elephant corridors. West Bengal currently has around 800 elephants, with nearly 630 in north Bengal and over 200 in south Bengal. The population has nearly doubled over the last two decades, increasing pressure on forest resources and bringing elephants closer to human settlements.

The economic impact is substantial. The West Bengal Forest Department spends nearly ₹10 crore annually on compensation related to human-elephant conflict. During 2023-24 alone, compensation payments reached ₹12.7 crore, much of it linked to agricultural losses.

However, a community-based model in north Bengal is offering hope. In vulnerable areas of Jalpaiguri district, farmers and local organisations have formed Quick Response Teams (QRTs) that patrol fields at night, monitor elephant movement and share real-time alerts using walkie-talkies. The initiative, supported by conservation groups and forest officials, has reportedly reduced crop damage by up to 90 per cent in some villages.

Farmers say the programme has encouraged many residents to resume cultivation after years of losses. Experts attribute the success to coordinated monitoring, community participation and efforts to keep elephant corridors free from encroachment.

In contrast, south Bengal faces unique challenges. Elephants frequently enter villages throughout the year due to limited forest habitat and continuous availability of crops. Unlike north Bengal, where elephant movement is often seasonal, south Bengal experiences year-round conflict, making monitoring and prevention more difficult.

Wildlife conservationists argue that long-term solutions require habitat restoration, protection of elephant corridors and improved forest fodder availability. While measures such as solar fencing, compensation schemes and elephant micro-habitats provide temporary relief, experts warn that sustainable coexistence will depend on addressing the root causes of human-elephant conflict.

As climate challenges, resource scarcity and rising production costs reshape the global food industry, agricultural byproducts once treated as waste are emerging as valuable business assets. Companies across the agri-food sector are increasingly adopting circular economy models that transform discarded materials into new revenue streams while reducing environmental impact.

For decades, industrial agricultural processing followed a linear approach—harvest crops, process them and dispose of residual materials. However, growing pressure to improve sustainability and strengthen supply chain resilience is driving a major shift in how companies view agricultural waste.

Industry experts note that materials such as almond hulls, citrus peels, pistachio shells and other processing residues are no longer seen as disposal challenges. Instead, they are being repurposed into high-value products including bio-based plastics, cosmetic ingredients, functional foods and specialised livestock feed.

The transition reflects a broader trend in corporate sustainability, where businesses are seeking opportunities to combine environmental responsibility with commercial growth. By extracting additional value from agricultural residues, companies can reduce dependence on expensive raw materials and improve profitability.

In India, several major agribusinesses have already integrated circular practices into their operations.

ITC Limited, through its Paperboards and Speciality Papers division, uses agricultural residues such as wheat straw and sugarcane bagasse in paper manufacturing. The approach reduces reliance on virgin wood pulp while creating productive uses for crop waste.

Similarly, Godrej Agrovet processes oil palm and poultry waste streams to produce animal feed ingredients and organic fertilisers. The company’s strategy focuses on maximising value from every stage of production.

Poultry major Suguna Foods has also adopted closed-loop systems that convert organic manufacturing waste into high-protein animal meals and specialised poultry fats, helping lower feed formulation costs.

Despite the economic benefits, scaling circular agriculture remains a complex task. Agricultural residues are often seasonal, perishable and geographically dispersed, requiring sophisticated collection, storage and processing systems.

Experts point out that one of the biggest challenges lies in aligning unpredictable farm-level production with the standardised requirements of industrial buyers. Variations in weather, crop yields and quality can complicate efforts to maintain consistent supply chains.

Looking ahead, investment in agricultural technology, waste-reduction systems and alternative ingredients is expected to accelerate. Although biological innovation often requires years of research, testing and regulatory approvals, industry leaders believe that efficient utilisation of agricultural byproducts will become a key competitive advantage.

As global food systems face mounting resource constraints, the ability to convert waste into wealth may define the next generation of successful agribusiness enterprises.