The Mysuru–Chamarajanagar belt in Karnataka, known for its rich forest ecosystems and wildlife corridors connecting Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, is witnessing a worrying rise in human-animal conflicts. Experts attribute this trend to widespread habitat disturbance, encroachment, and rapid urban expansion around forest fringes.

A recent study by wildlife researchers and the Karnataka Forest Department highlights that shrinking forest buffers and unregulated development are pushing elephants, leopards, and wild boars out of their natural habitats in search of food and water. This has led to more frequent incidents of crop destruction, property damage, and even human fatalities in the region’s rural areas.

In the past five years alone, Mysuru and its neighboring districts have recorded a 30–40% rise in wildlife-related incidents, with elephants responsible for the majority of reported conflicts. The study notes that agricultural expansion into elephant corridors and the proliferation of roads, resorts, and human settlements near protected areas have fragmented traditional migration routes.

Wildlife biologists emphasize that habitat disturbance disrupts the delicate ecological balance, leading animals to enter farmlands and human habitations. “When natural food sources diminish or are fenced off, animals follow their instincts — they move toward water and crops. The conflict is a symptom of habitat loss, not animal aggression,” says a senior forest official from Bandipur.

The Karnataka Forest Department has been increasing its mitigation efforts, deploying rapid response teams, installing early-warning systems, and promoting eco-barriers such as solar fencing. However, conservationists argue that long-term solutions must include habitat restoration, corridor protection, and community-based coexistence programs.

Local farmers are also calling for better compensation schemes and awareness programs to prevent retaliatory actions against wildlife. Non-governmental organizations working in the region stress the need for participatory planning — where communities become active partners in conservation, rather than victims of it.

Experts warn that if current land-use patterns continue unchecked, Mysuru’s fragile human-wildlife interface could worsen, threatening not only the safety of rural populations but also the survival of key species such as elephants, leopards, and deer.

The study concludes that balancing development with ecological integrity is essential for ensuring sustainable coexistence in Karnataka’s wildlife-rich Mysuru belt.