Title: Ritualistic hunting in selected districts of West Bengal (India): implications on wildlife diversity and conservation

Authors: Anirban Baitalik; Tanmoyee Bhattacharjee; Dibakar Bera; Alolika Paladhi; Rinku Rani Kar; Monimala Ojha; Akash Hazra; Marufa Dilwara Begum; Rahul Lohar; Moupriya Karan; Rajesh Dandapat

Addresses: Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Teacher's Education Department, Yogoda Satsanga Palpara Mahavidyalaya (Palpara College), East Medinipur – 721458, West Bengal, India; PG Department of Education, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore – 756019, Odisha, India; Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Department of Sociology, Vidyasagar University, West Medinipur – 721102, West Bengal, India ' Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India ' Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Midnapore City College, West Medinipur – 721129, West Bengal, India

Abstract: This study examines the impact of ritualistic hunting practices on wildlife diversity and conservation at the local level in the context of West Bengal, India. In the name of 'Ritualistic Hunting', lots of globally threatened wild animals are killed each and every year, especially by the local Santhal communities. As a result, the wildlife diversity has declaimed drastically in many parts of the state especially in the western part of West Bengal (locally known as Jungle Mahal). The study revealed that in spite of decreasing forest health and wildlife richness, people lack interest in wildlife conservation practices. Therefore, the implications of the study regarding drivers of illegal hunting, tendencies to stop hunting, awareness about wildlife protection among the local tribal community will be beneficial to policy makers and conservation scientists for identifying a common ground in minimising conflict between traditional culture (ritualistic hunting) and wildlife conservation practices.

Keywords: conservation; diversity; hunting; Jungle Mahal; Santhal tribes; wildlife; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2025.150931

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2025 Vol.24 No.2, pp.85 - 117

Received: 13 May 2023
Accepted: 12 Feb 2024
Published online: 05 Jan 2026 *

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