India, Dec. 4 -- Droughts and irrigation ponds in Odisha are drawing elephants into farmlands.

Traditional migratory routes have been blocked by encroachment and land-use change.

Research shows water availability near croplands is a major attractant for elephants.

Regions in Africa face similar pressures as climate change alters elephant movement.

Odisha is trying mitigation measures, from palm plantations to behaviour-change campaigns.

When it comes to human-elephant conflict, water shapes the story, both its abundance and its absence. In drought-prone areas, the rapid spread of farm ponds and paddy fields is drawing elephants into human settlements, and trapping them there.

Elephants migrate long distances in search of food, water...