Is it only the wolves claiming the lives of these children, or are we turning a blind eye to the deeper issue?

As of September 11, 2024, at least 10 people have lost their lives, and over 30 have been injured in a series of wolf attacks. These incidents have thrust around 50 villages in Mahasi Tehsil, Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh—situated along the floodplains of the Ghaghara River—into the spotlight. The nearby forests and grasslands are home to wolf populations that use the dense sugarcane fields as cover, making these villages vulnerable to attack.

What is the reason for these attacks?

The main cause of these attacks is the growing human-wildlife conflict, worsened by recent floods that forced wolves to migrate closer to human settlements in search of prey.

The critical question remains: why are villagers unable to protect their children from these attacks? The answer lies in the inadequate housing conditions. Most villagers live in simple, temporary shelters made of mud, thatch, and wood, which are highly vulnerable to wildlife intrusions. The lack of proper housing and infrastructure in these rural areas leaves families exposed to both environmental dangers and threats from wildlife.

Clearly, these homes are insufficient in safeguarding children, and safer, more durable housing solutions are urgently needed. Another issue compounding the problem is the lack of proper lighting in common areas at night, allowing wolves to move freely under the cover of darkness.

This issue extends far beyond Bahraich. According to the latest available data, nearly 30 million families in India live in thatched huts or other temporary structures. The Census of India 2011 reports that about 17.3% of the rural population resides in homes made from non-permanent materials such as thatch, bamboo, mud, and other organic resources. Updated census information is still awaited.

It’s important to recognize that this is the country’s most vulnerable population, in desperate need of support. Providing them with safe and decent housing is an urgent priority.

Decent housing is an integral part of 7 SDG goals:

1. Goal 1: No poverty
2. Goal 3: Good Health and wellbeing
3. Goal 5: Gender equality
4. Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
5. Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
6. Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
7. Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

The most important goal to consider for this community in Bahraich is Goal 11 that is making cities and humanities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

How can CSR initiatives effectively support these communities? Immediate action is needed to address the challenges in these 50 villages. Key steps include:

1. Conducting vulnerability assessments of the settlements to identify areas most at risk.
2. Mapping the settlements and evaluating the water and sanitation infrastructure to understand gaps and needs.
3. Engaging experts in planning to design homes that ensure proper ventilation, lighting, privacy for women, and adequate sanitation facilities.
4. Connecting vulnerable families to government housing schemes like PMAY or Mukhiya Mantri Awas Yojana by facilitating proper documentation and approvals from authorities.
5. Ensuring women’s equal access to housing and land rights by including them in housing schemes, securing their long-term protection and rights.
6. Building local capacity by training residents in basic construction skills like masonry and bar bending, enabling them to contribute to housing efforts and secure employment.
7. Empowering women through permanent homes, which can serve as a base for home-based businesses, providing economic opportunities.
8. Providing safe, permanent housing that protects against environmental hazards such as floods, heat, and extreme weather, leading to better health outcomes, especially for infants and the elderly.
9. Promoting green buildings and training the community on sustainable energy practices to ensure long-term environmental benefits.
10. Ensuring the construction of sanitation units in every household to improve health and hygiene.

These actions will create safer, more resilient communities while improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable.

Ensuring proper housing will reduces inequality, build resilience and protect against climate change and natural disasters. Adequate and affordable housing has time and again demonstrated benefits in health, education and economic opportunities. It has contributed to both human development index and multidimensional poverty index with demonstrated reduction in child and adult mortality due to better living conditions.