Balance must between people and wildlife

Sir,

This refers to the recent observations made by Dr. Javeed Nayeem in Star of Mysore and a recent High Court remark highlighting the growing problem of human-wildlife conflict.

While wildlife conservation is essential, it cannot come at the cost of human lives and livelihoods. Across many villages surrounded by forests, people live in constant fear due to frequent intrusion of elephants, tigers and other wild animals.

Crop destruction, loss of property and, tragically, loss of human life have become disturbingly common. For villagers who depend on agriculture and daily labour, this fear is a harsh reality, not an abstract debate.

In India, wildlife laws are among the most stringent in the world. While these laws were framed with good intentions, their rigid implementation often leaves affected citizens helpless, even when their lives are under direct threat. Protecting animals should not mean abandoning the fundamental right of people to safety and dignity.

Several countries with strong conservation records have adopted balanced approaches that protect wildlife while prioritising human safety through relocation, compensation and controlled intervention. India too must urgently move towards such practical and humane solutions.

A rational, compassionate policy that respects both environmental protection and human survival is the need of the hour. Ignoring the daily suffering of people living near forests will only deepen resentment    and conflict.

– Altaf Ahmed, S.S. Nagar, 13.1.2026

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