Characterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal

With the intent to better management human wildlife conflict (HWC) and wildlife conservation in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal, we analyzed the patterns and drivers of HWC. Using data collected from literature, government records and questionnaire survey, we investigate...

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Autores principales: Kedar Baral, Hari P. Sharma, Bhagawat Rimal, Khum Thapa-Magar, Rameshwar Bhattarai, Ripu M. Kunwar, Achyut Aryal, Weihong Ji
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Publicado: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2021
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spelling oai:doaj.org-article:56b47f09376b4960be82ddee6f44c9022021-11-25T06:19:32ZCharacterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal1932-6203https://doaj.org/article/56b47f09376b4960be82ddee6f44c9022021-01-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8604285/?tool=EBIhttps://doaj.org/toc/1932-6203With the intent to better management human wildlife conflict (HWC) and wildlife conservation in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal, we analyzed the patterns and drivers of HWC. Using data collected from literature, government records and questionnaire survey, we investigated temporal, seasonal and spatial distribution of human casualties caused by wildlife attacks. We also appraised the perception of local people towards wildlife conservation. We have recorded 77 cases (69 human injuries and 8 mortalities) during the period of nine year between 2011 and 2019. The number of wildlife attacks increased over this period. Wildlife attacks were more frequent in winter with 50% (42) of attacks occurred between September and December. Common leopard (Panthera pardus) and Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger) were the major species involved in these conflicts. Common leopard was the most feared species that causes highest number of human mortalities (87%, n = 67); the most severe type of HWC outcome. Forty-eight percent (n = 37) attacks were reported at human settlement areas followed by 27% attacks in agriculture land (n = 21) and 24% (n = 19) in forest. Generalized linear model analysis on spatial variables showed that the probability of human attacks increases with decreasing elevation (β = -0.0021, Z = -1.762, p = 0.078) and distance from the forest (β = -0.608, Z = -0.789, p = 0.429). We recommend to decrease habitat degradation / fragmentation, carry out habitat management program within forest to increase prey availability to decrease the wildlife invasion into human settlement area, and decrease dependency of people on forest resources by providing alternative livelihood opportunities. Simplified relief fund distribution mechanism at local level also helps alleviate the impact of HWC. The knowledge obtained by this study and management measures are important for better human-wildlife co-existence.Kedar BaralHari P. SharmaBhagawat RimalKhum Thapa-MagarRameshwar BhattaraiRipu M. KunwarAchyut AryalWeihong JiPublic Library of Science (PLoS)articleMedicineRScienceQENPLoS ONE, Vol 16, Iss 11 (2021)
institution DOAJ
collection DOAJ
language EN
topic Medicine
R
Science
Q
spellingShingle Medicine
R
Science
Q
Kedar Baral
Hari P. Sharma
Bhagawat Rimal
Khum Thapa-Magar
Rameshwar Bhattarai
Ripu M. Kunwar
Achyut Aryal
Weihong Ji
Characterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal
description With the intent to better management human wildlife conflict (HWC) and wildlife conservation in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal, we analyzed the patterns and drivers of HWC. Using data collected from literature, government records and questionnaire survey, we investigated temporal, seasonal and spatial distribution of human casualties caused by wildlife attacks. We also appraised the perception of local people towards wildlife conservation. We have recorded 77 cases (69 human injuries and 8 mortalities) during the period of nine year between 2011 and 2019. The number of wildlife attacks increased over this period. Wildlife attacks were more frequent in winter with 50% (42) of attacks occurred between September and December. Common leopard (Panthera pardus) and Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger) were the major species involved in these conflicts. Common leopard was the most feared species that causes highest number of human mortalities (87%, n = 67); the most severe type of HWC outcome. Forty-eight percent (n = 37) attacks were reported at human settlement areas followed by 27% attacks in agriculture land (n = 21) and 24% (n = 19) in forest. Generalized linear model analysis on spatial variables showed that the probability of human attacks increases with decreasing elevation (β = -0.0021, Z = -1.762, p = 0.078) and distance from the forest (β = -0.608, Z = -0.789, p = 0.429). We recommend to decrease habitat degradation / fragmentation, carry out habitat management program within forest to increase prey availability to decrease the wildlife invasion into human settlement area, and decrease dependency of people on forest resources by providing alternative livelihood opportunities. Simplified relief fund distribution mechanism at local level also helps alleviate the impact of HWC. The knowledge obtained by this study and management measures are important for better human-wildlife co-existence.
format article
author Kedar Baral
Hari P. Sharma
Bhagawat Rimal
Khum Thapa-Magar
Rameshwar Bhattarai
Ripu M. Kunwar
Achyut Aryal
Weihong Ji
author_facet Kedar Baral
Hari P. Sharma
Bhagawat Rimal
Khum Thapa-Magar
Rameshwar Bhattarai
Ripu M. Kunwar
Achyut Aryal
Weihong Ji
author_sort Kedar Baral
title Characterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal
title_short Characterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal
title_full Characterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal
title_fullStr Characterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Characterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of Gandaki province, Nepal
title_sort characterization and management of human-wildlife conflicts in mid-hills outside protected areas of gandaki province, nepal
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
publishDate 2021
url https://doaj.org/article/56b47f09376b4960be82ddee6f44c902
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