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Policy Engagement
We at Holématthi Nature Foundation are dedicated to driving real conservation impact by bridging research and policy. We believe that scientific insights must translate into action, and the strongest measure of conservation success lies in what is upheld by law. By leveraging our research, we advocate for policy reforms that protect wildlife, restore habitats, empower communities and ensuring lasting change for Karnataka’s biodiversity.
Discontinuing the practice of burning wildlife carcasses
Background
For years, the carcasses of wildlife- including elephants, large carnivores, and herbivores- have been routinely burned, or buried even when found in their natural habitat. While this practice was carried out for sanitary and management reasons, it overlooked the critical role carcasses play in the ecosystem.
Wildlife carcasses are far more than lifeless remains. They are a vital source of sustenance for numerous species, including scavengers, arthropods, and bacteria. They contribute essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium back into the soil, enriching the ecosystem and supporting plant growth.
Critically endangered vultures, which depend on large carcasses for survival, have been particularly affected by the removal of this food source. Additionally, species like hyenas and porcupines rely on bones as a crucial source of calcium. Even herbivores practice osteophagia- chewing bones to obtain essential minerals missing from their plant-based diet.
Recent studies highlight the long-lasting impact of carcasses, showing that they enrich soil nutrients up to 1.5 feet deep and foster microbial communities for over 40 months. Their decomposition cycle supports an entire food web, proving that even in death, these animals continue to play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance.
Action Taken
In consideration of a proposal submitted by Holématthi Nature Foundation, and recognizing the significance of carcasses in ecosystem functioning, a groundbreaking policy change was introduced by the Karnataka Forest Department mandating that carcasses of wildlife (except in the cases of communicable diseases), should not be cremated if found in their natural habitat.
Impacts and Results
This progressive policy change is already showing promising results:
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Vulture Conservation: The availability of natural carcasses is aiding in the recovery of vulture populations, particularly in protected areas where they were once disappearing.
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Ecological Insights: The policy has allowed researchers and forest officials to observe rare and complex social behaviours of elephants in response to the death of their own species. Leading to observations that were previously impossible when carcasses were immediately burned.
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Ecosystem Health: Carcasses are naturally enriching the environment, supporting a diverse web of life from scavengers to soil microbes, and contributing to long-term ecological sustainability.
By ensuring that nature is allowed to take its course, this policy marks a significant step toward a more holistic and science-driven approach to conservation.
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​Balancing conservation and community needs with sustainable eco-sensitive zone management
Background
India is a land brimming with lush forests and vibrant wildlife. However, the areas surrounding India's precious national parks and sanctuaries have been facing a growing challenge for years. To address this, the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recognized the urgent need to create a ‘protective area’—a special zone to act as a shield—around these protected areas.
These Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) are notified under Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment Protection Act 1986. They are meant to be ‘shock absorbers’ for the protected areas to reduce the harmful impact of human activity on these fragile ecosystems.
In Karnataka, the government has so far notified the villages and forests within and around 34 national parks, project tiger areas, and wildlife sanctuaries as ESZs. As a result, ~1,275 villages in the state covering approximately 13,194 square kilometres (32,60,308 acres) come under the ESZs. In addition, the ESZs of another 20 wildlife sanctuaries are yet to be identified and notified.
One of the main purposes of declaring ESZs is to prevent the pressure on wildlife habitats due to the impact of activities such as industries, mining, stone quarrying, and unrestricted tourism. However, these restrictions often negatively affect the local people as they lose livelihood opportunities. This is causing many negative opinions among rural people about ESZs and protected areas. Hence, villages falling within the ESZs need to be incentivised to reduce their hardships and build a positive attitude towards wildlife and protected areas.
Since many of the villages within ESZs are closer to the forests, they face a higher degree of human-wildlife conflict that leads to crop loss, depredation of livestock, damages to properties, serious injuries and occasional loss of human lives. One of the key causes of deaths due to wildlife conflict is open defecation especially during dark hours or early mornings when visibility is poor. As per a 2023 report by The New Indian Express, 42 people have died from April to November as a result of wild animal attacks, with open defecation being a primary driver.
Action Taken
In view of this, Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF) proposed to the Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka, a policy to prioritise villages falling under ESZs for implementation of rural development schemes (e.g., toilet construction, street dog population control, organic farming, drinking water projects, solar electrification, school construction, lake rejuvenation, etc.). This will help to create a positive attitude among the people towards wildlife conservation and ESZs, and will also support the activities of the forest department.
Impacts and Results
As per HNF’s suggestions, a government circular has been issued to prioritise toilet construction funded by the Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj for households in the villages within the limits of ESZs under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) scheme.
This progressive policy change is projected to yield the following results:
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Boost community relations: The policy will foster a more positive attitude among local communities toward wildlife conservation and ESZs while reducing the negative sentiment that has been developing due to restrictions and human-wildlife conflict.
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Reduction in human-wildlife conflict: Improved sanitation will contribute to mitigating some aspects of human-wildlife conflict by reducing the accidental deaths caused by wildlife.
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Conservation support: By addressing the needs of the people living in these zones, the policy will indirectly support the activities of the forest department.
By working with the government, we can bring out long-term changes at large spatial scales.
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