India, Aug. 17 -- A new PNAS Nexus study warns that high-risk human-elephant conflict zones in Southern Africa could grow by 33-100% by 2085, driven mainly by population growth, cropland expansion and climate-related drying.

Analysing records from Namibia and neighbouring countries, researchers link seasonal crop raiding to land-use change and water deficits, urging proactive planning and community-based mitigation to protect both elephants and rural livelihoods.

A study published in the journal PNAS Nexus forecasts that high-risk human-elephant conflict (HEC) areas in Southern Africa could expand by 33 per cent to 100 per cent by 2085, driven primarily by human population growth, expanding croplands and climate-related drying.

The fin...