Short Film: A Doctor’s Fight for Human Coexistence with India’s Wildlife

Summary

The film 'Wild Harmony' highlights the conservation efforts of Dr. Krithi Karanth, who is dedicated to resolving human-wildlife conflicts in India, a country with a rich biodiversity and a population of 1.4 billion. Through initiatives like Wild Seve, a helpline for villagers facing wildlife threats, and Wild Shaale, an education program fostering empathy for wildlife, Dr. Karanth works to help communities coexist with animals. The documentary explores the challenges posed by habitat loss, zoonotic diseases, and the importance of empowering local communities, particularly women, in the conservation process.

Takeaways

• 🌍 India is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 91,000 animal species and 40,000 plant species, coexisting with a population of 1.4 billion people.
• 🦁 Human-wildlife encounters in India vary, with some being peaceful and others leading to conflicts that impact both humans and animals.
• 👩‍🔬 Dr. Krithi Karanth leads efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts through Wildlife Seve, aiming for peaceful coexistence.
• 🌾 Conflict areas include crop loss, livestock predation, and occasionally human injuries and fatalities.
• 📞 Wild Seve, meaning 'in service of,' is a toll-free hotline to report wildlife encounters, helping people access government support.
• 🏫 Wild Shaale ('school' in Kannada) is a conservation education program for kids, aiming to instill empathy for wildlife and provide safety tips.
• 💉 COVID-19 highlighted the importance of preventing zoonotic diseases by protecting wildlife habitats and reducing human intrusion.
• 🛡️ Wild Surakshe ('safety') promotes public safety education on zoonotic diseases, working with government frontline staff near wildlife zones.
• 👩‍🌾 Women bear the brunt of human-wildlife conflict impacts in rural India, losing crops and livestock, and often facing unique challenges.
• 📢 Dr. Karanth is optimistic that increased awareness, storytelling, and citizen science will help protect wildlife and preserve ecosystems.

Q & A

What makes India one of the most megadiverse countries in the world?

India is considered one of the most megadiverse countries due to its vast variety of species, including over 91,000 species of animals and 40,000 different kinds of plants.

Who is Dr. Krithi Karanth, and what is her role in wildlife conservation?

Dr. Krithi Karanth is a wildlife conservationist leading the Wild Seve program, dedicated to resolving conflicts between humans and animals in India, helping farmers restore their livelihoods, and promoting coexistence between people and wildlife.

What challenges does India face with regards to human-wildlife conflict?

India, with its 1.4 billion people, faces challenges in managing human-wildlife conflict, as only 5% of the land is set aside for wildlife. The conflicts include crop loss, livestock predation, property damage, and sometimes human injury or death.

What is the purpose of the Wild Seve program?

The Wild Seve program aims to provide a service for communities to report wildlife encounters, such as leopards or tigers threatening farms. The program helps assess damage and ensures compensation claims are properly filed with the government.

How has Dr. Karanth’s childhood influenced her career in wildlife conservation?

Dr. Karanth’s childhood experiences, traveling to parks across India and learning about animals through hands-on activities like setting camera traps and tracking tigers, fostered her passion for wildlife and influenced her career in conservation.

How does human-wildlife conflict affect women in particular?

Women in rural communities often bear the brunt of human-wildlife conflict, losing crops or livestock, and sometimes having family members injured. This affects their livelihoods and daily lives significantly.

What is the purpose of the Wild Shaale program?

The Wild Shaale program aims to educate children living near wildlife reserves about wildlife conservation. It instills empathy for wildlife, inspires care for wild places, and teaches basic safety mechanisms for conflict situations.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced conservation efforts according to Dr. Karanth?

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the interconnectedness between human activities and nature. It underscored the importance of managing zoonotic diseases and inspired the launch of the Wild Surakshe program, which addresses public safety and wildlife health.

What is the focus of the Wild Surakshe program?

The Wild Surakshe program focuses on educating communities and frontline government staff about zoonotic diseases transmitted between wildlife and humans, aiming to keep both people and wildlife safe.

Why does Dr. Karanth believe storytelling and citizen science are important for conservation?

Dr. Karanth sees the power of storytelling and the rise of citizen science as key factors in engaging more people in wildlife conservation. She believes these tools will inspire more people to fight to protect wildlife and natural habitats.