ThaiNGO

Background

Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is a complex issue. It is not a simple, linear relationship between damage, attitudes, and actions. It is influenced by multiple diverse factors, which need to be considered in each strategy for effective conflict management.  C2C: Conflict to Coexistence-Approach offers a framework for an integrated, holistic and inclusive approach to manage HWC on a landscape level and includes a step-wise methodology and tools for implementation, monitoring, and adaptation.

The C2C: Conflict to Coexistence-Approach is an attempt to enable systematic HWC management planning, implementation and monitoring with a step-wise approach. 

The framework of the C2C: Conflict to Coexistence-Approach approach defines five prerequisites that need to be met:

• All four outcomes (see Figure below inner circle) need to be achieved to manage HWC effectively
• The four outcomes are achieved by implementing actions within the context of the six HWC management elements (see Figure below middle circle) and actions can vary from context to context
• The six HWC management elements are interconnected and all of them need to be implemented in an integrated way. None can be implemented in isolation; actions and lessons in each element inform and reinforce actions in other elements
• The implementation of the six management elements follows defined principles (see Figure below outer circle)

Figure below illustrates the steps to implement the C2C: Conflict to Coexistence-Approach in an iterative process to ensure effective and sustainable HWC management. The steps include context and stakeholder analysis, HWC assessment, co-creation of a HWC management strategy with communities, strategy implementation, monitoring/evaluation and adaptation. The product of each step informs the detailed design of the next step and the co-designing of culturally relevant and context specific HWC management strategies.

WWF Thailand and human wildlife conflict management effort

WWF Thailand’s long experience in elephant conservation has established it as a well-respected voice in this arena; our work has received strong praise from our DNP partners, who see us as innovators in human elephant conflict (HEC) management. Throughout the years, WWF has strengthened its collaboration with government agencies, the private sector and local communities to protect key elephant habitats. WWF and its partners wish to determine whether traditional conflict management methods are effective or financially viable.

It may be that few or no protected areas in the nation that have lost their elephant populations over time retain suitable conditions for population recovery, but evaluation of existing and potential ecological corridors nationwide is essential. Future elephant conservation will require actions to restore elephant habitat and movement corridors, and to expand ongoing efforts to manage HEC. We are increasingly focusing on habitat connectivity for elephants and other species through assessment of lands suitable for designation as protected areas or OECMs (Other Area-Based Effective Conservation Measures). C2C Conflict to Coexistence is a new, holistic approach to support the Thai government in its efforts to systematize HWC management planning, implementation and monitoring.

Dong Phayayen – Khao Yai Forest Complex focusing ThapLan National Park

Spanning 230 km between Ta Phraya National Park on the Cambodian border in the east and Khao Yai National Park in the west, the Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai Forest Complex comprises 5 protected areas totaling 6,150 km 2. This forest complex supports approximately 520 elephants. It experiences the highest level of tourism of any elephant habitat in the nation, heavy vehicular traffic both within the Park and on nearby highways, and accelerating road and tourism development. The Thai Government has invested heavily in wildlife crossings on a major route that bisects the Complex and has documented elephant use of the crossings between protected areas. ThapLan National Park is the second largest national park in Thailand. The Park provides core wildlife habitat and supports almost 300 elephants and more than 20 tigers. Elephant incursion into agriculture lands by both large herds and single elephants is rapidly increasing. To confront this challenge, we are testing WWF’s C2C: Conflict to Coexistence management approach.

Scope of work

The broader scope of work for the consultancy is

Understand the C2C: Conflict to Coexistence Approach in detail and implement steps 1-4 and support a workshop for key stakeholders on the C2C: Conflict to Coexistence Approach

Specific tasks 

• Complete the context screening form based on existing information and in consultation with key stakeholders
• Conduct a broader stakeholder identification along with the context screening and during field consultation conduct a detailed stakeholder identification and analysis using the existing matrix
• Support the team on preparation and facilitation of a C2C:Conflict to Coexistence workshop that will be conducted during the first week of March with Department officials and other key stakeholders
• Conduct HWC assessment with key stakeholders (in the form of FGDs, individual interviews and household surveys) based on the questions and format provided. The information will be collected using an online application system, the details of which will be shared with the consultant later
• Based on the HWC assessment and all the prior information obtained through step 1 and 2 of the C2C method, co-design site specific HWC management strategies with communities and other key stakeholders

Deliverables

• Filled context screening form
• Filled stakeholder identification and analysis matrix
• HWC assessment data
• Analysis report for HWC assessment
• Report on the process documentation and learning
• Final output - site specific HWC management strategies

Timeline

(Timeline for the consultancy is Feb 1 – May 30^th)

• Signing of contract – End of January
• February – context screening and broad stakeholder identification, support for workshop preparation
• March and April – Support for facilitation of workshop, HWC assessment including detailed stakeholder analysis
• April and May – codesigning of HWC strategies and finalization of report