Emergence of a Resident Asian Elephant Population in Himachal Pradesh: Assessing Possibilities and Challenges in a Non-traditional Range

The State of Himachal Pradesh is situated in Northern Himalayan landscape of India. Sporadic annual movement of elephants has been reported historically from Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand to Col. Sherjung National Park, contiguous to Paonta Sahib in Himachal and adjoining Kalesar National Park, Haryana. Presence of resident population in this area however is a recent phenomenon since the last few years. Presently, a resident population of 14-16 Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) has established in Sal forests of Paonta Sahib Forest Division, in a non-traditional range, highlighting adaptability to fragmented landscapes. This has enhanced cases of human elephant conflict (HEC) with increased crop raid, damage and human fatality. Efforts have been made by Forest Department with financial assistance under Project Elephant in taking the conversation from conflict to coexistence. The article offers a case study for managing small, isolated herds to balance conservation and coexistence in a human-dominated landscape.