Mitigating human-wildlife conflict in Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Mitigating human-wildlife conflict in Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is located in the suburbs of Mumbai, India’s 2nd largest city. Over 2 mio. people live within two km of the park boundaries. The park has many illegal human settlements and one of the world’s highest densities of leopards. Park managers take a two-pronged approach to tackle the frequent human-wildlife conflicts: They release alternate prey, such as deer, and they capture and relocate leopards. They also conduct public education campaigns.

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Turning the Tide: Transforming Illegal Fishers into Guardians of Coastal Resources

In Masbate City, the Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary once faced severe degradation from dynamite fishing and destructive practices driven by poverty and lack of livelihood opportunities. To address this, the Local Government Unit organized former illegal fishers into SAMAPUSI Inc. in 2008 through continuous dialogue and community engagement. The initiative focused on transforming fishers into “Sea Guardians” through capacity building, eco-tourism livelihood support, and community-based coastal enforcement. Members became active protectors and managers of the sanctuary, shifting from resource exploiters to conservation partners. The effort resulted in significant ecological recovery, including improved fish biomass and increased coral cover from 27.5% in 2002 to 57.11% in 2016. Socio-economically, members gained stable income that helped support their families and send their children to college. The initiative demonstrates that empowering communities is vital to sustaining marine ecosystems and improving livelihoods. 

Protecting Bauan’s Seas: Stronger Enforcement Meets Responsible Tourism

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Empowering Woman through Enterprise for Conservation

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The information campaign carried out by CAMP Alatoo PF under the Eco-Education, Forest Management and Value Chain components

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