Wildlife and Infrastructure Expansion |
Where and how can the landscape accommodate India’s need for infrastructure?
Development of linear infrastructure has emerged as the single largest threat to the demographic viability of tigers and many other endangered species. The rapid pace of growth of linear infrastructure in India (22 kilometers of roads per day with plans to increase it to 41 kilometers/day) presents an immediate challenge which requires urgent solutions to preserve connectivity for wild animals. This session will focus on identifying the major problems and potential solutions to mitigate the negative impacts on connectivity. More importantly, we need to come to a consensus on finding different ways to mainstream the solutions so that they are implemented effectively. |
One Health |
One Health: An integrative approach to human and ecosystem health
'One Health', is an approach to design and implement research and policies, that recognizes that the health of humans, livestock, wildlife and ecosystems is interconnected. Increasing human population, intensive agriculture and changing natural landscapes are altering functioning of natural ecosystems, increasing potential of zoonosis, and impacting human well-being. Addressing these interconnected issues requires collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, ecologists, policy makers and many others. In this session, we will have talks on public health, wildlife disease, food security and related topics. This will be followed by a discussion on 'One Health', challenges involved in adopting such an approach and identifying research gaps and areas where such an approach can be applied. |
Changing Livelihoods |
What approaches are effective to promote alternative livelihoods for local people in the landscape?
Alternate stable incomes provide for rural development alongside reductions in unsustainable natural resource use. Diversification of rural livelihoods alongside the growing number of small towns and urbanization in the central Indian landscapes can aid people and wildlife. We consider the goal of well-being and the goals of wildlife conservation must be considered jointly to seek long-term stable alternate incomes for people in central India. In this session, we will approach changing livelihoods from a whole landscape perspective to find actionable pathways to enhanced well-being alongside maintenance of natural resources and wildlife conservation. An actionable science break-out session will follow talks to identify possible collaborations to further scientific pilots and activate our results on-the-ground. |
Forests for Water |
Central India as the water tower: Can forests benefit water supply?
Water resources are essential for the well-being of local populations as well as conservation in Central India. This session evaluates the state of knowledge on water requirements and availability in Central India with a focus on the role of forests for sustaining water resources. Case studies on how to sustain water resources, links with forest cover and outcomes from other region are welcome. |
Human-Wildlife Conflict |
Human-wildlife conflict: Futures for coexistence in Central India
Human wildlife conflict is documented as one of the major threats to wildlife populations across the world. This issue has attained a challenging status in India and more so ever in Central India due to combined factors of human population growth and encroachment of forest and other natural resources to meet development demands. This has caused a dramatic change from co-existence to conflict which could reverse the gains achieved in wildlife conservation in past several decades, if not addressed properly. Central India is one of the hot-spots of large carnivores and ungulate conflicts with human due to shared fragmented resources for both wildlife and people. This session will build on the learnings from past two symposia and discuss the way forward in reducing human-wildlife conflicts in Central India. |
