The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability has stressed the need to expedite the formulation of a national policy to address the human-elephant conflict.

The committee discussed research findings and policy recommendations on managing the conflict, meeting the food and water needs of wild elephants, improving habitats and increasing community participation in conservation.

It also called for the expedited gazetting of six identified elephant corridors and measures to reduce elephants entering human settlements due to shortages of food and water.

The committee emphasised the need for science-based action, stronger coordination among state institutions and the use of research and data to address environmental issues.