Chhattisgarh, blessed with vast forests and thriving biodiversity, is home to a rich variety of wildlife including tigers, elephants, blackbucks, and numerous bird species. However, this chhattisgarh wildlife faces growing threats due to human encroachment, habitat fragmentation, and conflicts, especially the human-elephant conflict. Efforts to restore ecological balance and conserve wildlife corridors have become critical to the state’s environmental health. One such significant grassroots initiative making a difference is “Gaj Dastak,” which means “Elephant Knock.” This movement not only tackles the human-elephant conflict but also works to restore critical elephant corridors, allowing elephants and other wildlife to move safely and live sustainably.

Current Threats to Chhattisgarh Wildlife

Chhattisgarh’s forests cover about 44.21% of its geographical area, hosting vital wildlife habitats. Yet the state’s wildlife is under pressure from multiple fronts:

• Habitat Fragmentation: Expansion of agriculture, roadways, and human settlements has sliced continuous forests into isolated patches, disrupting animal movement.

• Human-Elephant Conflict: Increasing encounters between villagers and elephants lead to crop damage, property loss, and sometimes injuries or death on both sides, creating fear and retaliation risk.

• Poaching and Disturbance: Despite conservation laws, poaching and human disturbances threaten species like tigers and blackbucks.

• Resource Competition: With more human activity inside and around forests, competition for resources such as water and grazing grounds intensifies.

In recent years, tiger numbers have seen a positive increase—doubling to 35 by 2025 in tiger reserves like Achanakmar—reflecting some conservation success. However, elephant numbers near villages have also grown close to 400, amplifying the conflict challenge.​

The Human-Elephant Conflict

Elephants require large territories and traditional migratory routes, many of which now pass through human-dense landscapes. Straying elephants destroy crops and property, leading to economic losses for farmers. Fearful villagers may resort to harmful methods against elephants, further endangering the species.

In response, local and state authorities, alongside conservation groups, emphasize non-lethal, community-based strategies to mitigate conflicts. This is where Gaj Dastak steps in effectively.

Gaj Dastak: A Community-Led Solution

Gaj Dastak is a well-organized community effort focusing on coexistence between humans and elephants through awareness, education, and corridor protection.

• Awareness Campaigns: Educating villagers about elephant behavior and promoting safety measures.

• Elephant Monitoring: Volunteers and forest officials track elephant movements to anticipate and prevent potential conflicts.

• Non-lethal Deterrents: Use of lights, noise devices, and watchtowers instead of harmful methods.

• Coordination: Establishing rapid response teams to manage emergent situations.

This approach builds trust and cooperation between conservationists and local communities, making conservation sustainable and inclusive.

Elephant Corridor Conservation: Key to Success

Elephant corridors are natural passages used by herds to access food, water, and mating grounds safely. Blocking or degrading these corridors forces elephants into villages and farmlands.

Gaj Dastak works extensively to identify, legally protect, and restore these corridors. Effectively managed corridors:

• Maintain genetic diversity among elephant populations by connecting fragmented forests.

• Reduce human-elephant encounters, limiting damage and casualties.

• Support other wildlife species that share these habitats.

State government initiatives complement Gaj Dastak by declaring new reserves and enhancing protections. For instance, the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla area became India’s 56th tiger reserve in 2025, bolstering ecological connectivity.​

Broader Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Chhattisgarh’s conservation progress is notable across species beyond elephants:

• Tiger Population Growth: Increased from 17 in 2022 to 35 in 2025, largely due to habitat protection, anti-poaching efforts, and strategic translocations.

• Blackbuck Revival: After near extinction in the 2010s, blackbucks have been successfully reintroduced in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary with 190 individuals now thriving under a five-year restoration project.

• Bird Conservation: Initiatives like Myna Mitra promote monitoring of the state bird, the Hill Myna.

These successes illustrate the state’s integrated approach to wildlife protection, which benefits both biodiversity and livelihoods through eco-tourism and local employment.​

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite progress, challenges persist:

• Enforcement against illegal activities remains crucial.

• Ensuring corridors remain free of disruptive infrastructure projects is an ongoing hurdle.

• Balancing developmental needs with conservation requires adaptive policies.

• Climate change impacts on forest ecosystems also demand long-term strategies.

Going forward, scaling up community involvement like Gaj Dastak and expanding corridor networks will be critical. Increased government funding, research collaboration, and use of technology (camera traps, GIS mapping) can strengthen these efforts.

Conclusion

Chhattisgarh stands at a hopeful crossroads in wildlife conservation. The combination of rising tiger numbers, blackbuck revival, and the impactful Gaj Dastak initiative shows the power of community engagement and scientific conservation. Protecting elephant corridors and resolving human-elephant conflicts not only help safeguard iconic species but also enrich local communities by fostering coexistence.

For enduring success, continuous vigilance, inclusive planning, and collective action will be key. Chhattisgarh’s wildlife heritage can thrive if people and nature are seen as partners in a shared landscape rather than adversaries.