Authors : Ashfakur Rahman; Dr. Sunil Kumar

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 10 - October

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3j22edmh

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct1148

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Abstract : In this research paper, I have thoroughly described the topic “Human-Wildlife Conflict and its Impact on Tourism in Manas and Kaziranga National Parks.” Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in Assam’s Manas and Kaziranga National Parks—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—poses a significant threat to biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism. These parks, home to endangered species like the one-horned Rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, and Asian elephant, face escalating conflicts due to habitat fragmentation, agricultural expansion, and climate-induced flooding. Such conflicts result in crop damage, livestock predation, and human fatalities, triggering retaliatory killings and strained community relations. The tourism sector, a vital economic driver, suffers due to safety concerns, declining wildlife visibility, and infrastructure damage. Data reveals a 15% drop in Kaziranga’s peak-season tourism and a 20% decline in foreign visitors to Manas over five years, leading to annual revenue losses of INR 2 cr. and INR 80 lakh, respectively. Poaching exacerbates the crisis, with Kaziranga reporting 25+ incidents in five years, while infrastructure damages cost INR 1.5 cr. (Kaziranga) and INR 50 lakh (Manas) in 2022 alone. Mitigation strategies—such as eco-tourism zones, drone surveillance, and community compensation (INR 4 lakh per fatality)—show promise but require scaling. Effective solutions demand integrated approaches: habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, and participatory conservation programs. Balancing ecological integrity with tourism growth is critical to safeguarding these parks’ global significance, ensuring economic stability 1 for local communities, and preserving India’s natural heritage. Without urgent intervention, persistent conflicts risk further tourism decline, undermining both conservation and livelihoods in these ecologically fragile regions.

Keywords : Human-Wildlife Conflict, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Fragmentation, Crop Damage, Livestock Predation, Human Fatalities.

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