Challenges and Strategies in Elephant Conservation: A Comprehensive Review of Land Use Impact and Management Approaches in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, India

Abstract

The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, a critical habitat for elephant conservation in the Dalma Landscape, is increasingly experiencing the multifaceted impacts of climate change. This study reviews secondary literature to examine the consequences of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes on elephant populations, emphasizing the exacerbating effects of climate-induced alterations. The sanctuary faces challenges like habitat degradation and fragmentation, which impede wildlife movement and intensify human-wildlife conflicts, particularly with elephants. These issues are now compounded by climate change, which is altering vegetation patterns, water availability, and seasonal behaviours of wildlife, further straining the delicate balance of this ecosystem. This paper methodically dissects the literature, highlighting how climate change interplays with existing environmental stressors, affecting the conservation strategies and viability of elephant corridors. The review also considers management strategies, underscoring the need for adaptive measures that address the dual challenges of habitat degradation and climate change. By broadening the scope to include the climate change dimension, this research not only underscores the researcher’s comprehensive understanding of the sanctuary’s ecological challenges but also aligns the study with global environmental concerns, making it relevant in the context of contemporary wildlife conservation efforts. Through a structured approach, the paper is divided into sections that explore the sanctuary’s ecological significance, the factors impacting elephant populations with a focus on climate change, and methods for studying human-elephant conflicts in the context of a changing climate. This comprehensive analysis aims to identify research gaps, propose adaptive conservation strategies, and contribute to the broader understanding of how climate change is reshaping wildlife conservation paradigms.