- Why in news
- On 5 August 2026, the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Environment Ministry met in New Delhi under Bhupender Yadav to discuss human-wildlife conflict. It noted the new Centre of Excellence at SACON, Coimbatore, and the National Human–Wildlife Conflict Portal.
- What it is
- Human-wildlife conflict is harm caused by wild animals to people, crops and property, and retaliation against the animals. Its pattern differs by landscape and species, such as elephants, tigers and leopards. The Centre of Excellence on Human–Wildlife Conflict is a national institution for research, technology, policy support, capacity building and community-centred approaches.
- Centre of Excellence (CoE-HWC)
- It is set up at SACON, WII South Centre, Coimbatore, as a national institution for research, technology, policy support and capacity building. The Prime Minister announced it at the 7th National Board for Wildlife meeting.
- Regional Action Plan on elephants
- A Regional Action Plan on Elephant Conservation for South India has been approved.
- Kerala's framework
- Kerala declared human-wildlife conflict a State-Specific Disaster and identified 273 conflict-affected Panchayats.
- Uttarakhand helpline
- Uttarakhand runs a 24×7 helpline, 1926, with an Integrated Command and Control Centre.
Don’t confuse with SACON vs WII: SACON is the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History in Coimbatore. The Wildlife Institute of India is a separate body in Dehradun; here the CoE sits at WII's South Centre at SACON.
Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.
Why it matters
- A national centre and portal give data-driven, shared strategies for a problem that varies by landscape.
- Reducing conflict protects lives and livelihoods and builds local support for conservation.
Problems
- Conflict patterns differ by species and landscape, so one national template may not fit.
- Compensation delivery is slow, and frontline staff capacity is limited.
Way forward
- Adopt common SOPs, restore corridors and coordinate between States on transboundary elephant herds.
- Study habitat carrying capacity and spread proven models such as early warning systems and community volunteer networks.
Put in your answer
Kerala model: Kerala treats conflict as a State-Specific Disaster, with rapid response teams and community groups such as SARPA volunteers.
Karnataka six-pillar model: Karnataka uses AI surveillance, command centres, rapid response teams and e-Parihara digital compensation, and proposed a National HWC Mission.
- 2022Prelims Q89Wildlife laws: ownership, equal protection, capture of dangerous animals
- 2023Prelims Q38Community Reserve: governing authority, hunting, NTFP collection, traditional agriculture
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic with new Centre of Excellence at SACON, Coimbatore; consultative committee meeting itself has no decision, so no question likely.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.