assessment of · assessment of human-wildlife conflict ... this assessment. a household survey was...

Assessment ofHuman-Wildlife Conflictaround Protected Areas

DST_HWC_SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS.indd 1 27/06/18 2:55 PM

Project Partners

1) CentreforPeople’sForestry,Adilabad,Telangana2) GorakhpurEnvironmentalActionGroup,WestChamparan,Bihar3) HimalPrakriti,Pithoragarh,Uttarakhand4) Jagriti,Kullu,HimachalPradesh5) JagranJanVikasSamiti,Udaipur,Rajasthan6) JanSewaParishad,Hazaribagh,Jharkhand7) KhangchendzongaConservationCommittee,WestSikkim,Sikkim8) Laya,EastGodaveri,AndhraPradesh9) MadrasCrocodileBankTrust,Nicobar,AndamanandNicobarIslands10) ManasEverWelfareSociety,Baksa,Assam11) RiverResearchCentre,Thrissur,Kerala12) SholaTrust,Nilgiris,TamilNadu13) SocietyforRuralDevelopmentandAction,Mandi,HimachalPradesh14) SahyadriWildlifeandForestConservationTrust,UttarKannada,Karnataka15) ThembangBapuCCAManagementCommittee,WestKameng,ArunachalPradesh16) WWFIndia,SawaiMadhopur,Rajasthan

Thedatagiveninthisdocumenthasbeenprovidedbythepartnersmentionedabove.Fewofthepart-nershavesuccessfullydemonstratedlowcosttechnologytomitigatehumanwildlifeconflict.DSTandWWFIndiareallyappreciatetheirhardworkandattributethesuccessofthisinitiativetothepartners’determinationandsustainedengagementontheground.


Overview 1Current Situation 4 CropDamage 4 LivestockDamage 7 AttackonHumans 8 PropertyDamage 8 People’sPerception 8Trials for addressing HWC 9 Findings 9 BufferFencingandLighting 10 EarlyWarningSystem 10 BufferCrops 11 OtherMeasures 11Some Challenges 11Partner Wise Human Wildlife Conflict Data 12

Contents


Overview

Human-wildlifeconflictreferstointeractionbetweenwild animals and people and resultant negativeimpactonpeopleortheirresources,orwildanimalsor their habitat. Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)occurs when wildlife requirements overlap withthoseofhumanpopulations,creatingcostsbothtopeopleandwildanimals.Thismananimal conflicthasbeeninexistenceforaslongashumanshaveexisted andwild animals and people have sharedsamelandscapesandresources.

However, this conflict has now become a verycommon phenomenon. Direct contact with wildlifeoccursinbothurbanandruralareas,butitisgenerallymorecommon insideandaroundProtectedareas.Rapid urbanisation and development, increasinghumanpopulationandlandusechangeisshrinkingandfragmentingthehabitatsofwildanimalswhichis leading to increased human wildlife interactionwhichoftenleadstoconflict.Movementandrangingpatternsoflargemammalsarecontrolledessentiallybyavailabilityoffood,water,andsuitablehabitat.

In case of unavailability of any of these, thewild animals are forced to move out into humandominated landscapes and thus causing severalformsofconflict.Someofthemainreasonsbehindincreasinghumanwildlifeconflictare: • DeforestationandDegradation • LossandFragmentationofHabitat • LandUseChangeduetoUrbanisation • UnplannedDevelopment • DeclineinPreybase • InjuredorOldAnimal • GrowingHumanPopulation

Thecostsoftheabovewhichisoftenbornebylocalcommunitiesandwildlifeis: • CropDamage/Depredation • LivestockInjuryandDeath • LossofHumanLife • InjuriestoPeople • InjuriestoWildlife • LivestockDepredation

Oneofthemainobjectivesofthenetworkprogramme“People and Protected Areas: Conservation andSustainable Livelihoods in Partnership with LocalCommunities around Protected Areas, Phase 2”wastodevelopanunderstandingofhumanwildlifeconflict issuesatselectedsitesandpilotmitigationmeasures.Theprogrammehasbeenimplementedinvillagesinandaround16ProtectedAreas(PAs).Of the16PAs,partnersworking in9PAsreportedhuman wildlife conflict in the identified villages.Villages which reported more than 50% of thehouseholds affected by conflict were identified forthisassessment.

A household survey was carried in 30% of thehouseholdsrandomlyinthesevillagestounderstandtheextentofconflict.

The survey was carried out in 35 villages around9 PAs. The total number of households in thesevillagesis6807.TheHWCsurveywasconductedin2340HHsin35villages.

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2

79 79

65

Udaipur

65


3

32

15 145

12 3313 29

Deria

67

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Current Situation

Animals causing crop damage

Themajorcroplosswasduetowildboarsfollowedbymonkeys.Thetablegivenbelowliststhetypeofanimalwhichcauseddamagetothecrops.

Atotalof4728incidentsofcropdamageby 2033 householdswerereportedintheperiodof2010to2014.Themaximum incidentswere reportedby1301HHsin31villagesintheyear2013andaminimumof662HHsreportedincidencesin24 villagesin2014.

Crop Damage

The average area of crop damage during theperiod of 2010 to 2014was found to be1 acreperHH.The chart belowgives details of yearlyaverageofcropdamageinacres

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3 1

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1

1 1

6

2

2

1

2 2

4 4

6

2

1

6 6

1

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wildanimals.In9HHsaroundonePA,peoplearealsohired toguardcrops.The forestdepartmenthas funded 636 HHs for fire crackers to scareawaytheanimals.Almostallhouseholdsalsobearthecostsofbatteryand torcheson theirown forcropguarding.

Livestock damage

A total 1064 livestock in 595 HHs in 24 villagesaround 7 PAS were attacked by the carnivoresduring the period of 2010-2014. A total of 344poultry,254goats,235sheeps,194cows,17bulls/oxand19buffaloeswereattacked.

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It was estimated that 1905 households in theaffected villages were using various mitigationmeasures toprotect theircrops fromwildanimals.Someofthemitigationmeasuresusedarevarioustypesof fencing, trenchesandmachans.Manyofthe households are using a combination of thesemethods.Thevarioustypesof fencingusedinthecropfieldsasreportedare:

• 222HHshaveusedelectric fencingtoprotecttheircrop • 546 HHs used Bamboo/woodenfencing, • 624HHsusednaturalhedges.

SomeoftheHHsalsousedbarbedwireandsolarfencestoprotecttheircrops.856HHsusedearthenandcementtrenches,792HHsin19villagesaround6PAsusedmachanstoprotecttheircropsfromwildanimals.

Around236HH in10villagesaround4PAsusedlightsand445HHsof11villagesaround4PAsarealsousingscarecrowsintheirfieldstofrightenthe

2 1

12

99

7 7

94

16531

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TEL/T/KAW

KAR/T/DAN

BIH/T/VAL

UTT/S/ASK

HP/S/NAR

RAJ/T/RAN

ASS/N/MAN

SIK/S/BAR

RAJ/S/JAI

ElectricFence:2WoodenBambooFence:5Barbedwirefence:5NaturalHedges:13Machan:67Groundshed:17Lights:7 Scarecrow:67

ElectricFences:2NaturalHedges:2Scarecrow:25 WoodenBamboo

Fence:218Barbedwirefence:218NaturalHedges:218Machan:218Groundshed:218Opentochangeincropgrowntoreducecropdamage:218

CementTrenches:636Machan:165Groundshed:165

WoodenBambooFence:28Barbedwirefence:1NaturalHedges:5Machan:22Groundshed:1Lights:1GuardingAnimals:53Opentochangeincropgrowntoreducecropdamage:16

NaturalHedges:287

Guardinganimals:359

Hiringpersonstoguardcrops:5

WoodenBambooFence:15NaturalHedges:25SolarFence:19EarthTrenches:1CementTrenches:1Machan:25GroundShed:13Scarecrow:1GuardingAnimals:12

WoodenBambooFence:271NaturalHedges:1SolarFence:3Machan:299GroundShed:5Lights:4Opentochangeincropgrowntoreducecropdamage:231

e

AllunitsrefertoHHsfromacrossdifferent villagesthatfallunderrespectiveareas.

Scarecrow:359

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Map not to Scale

Types of Mitigation Measures Used

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Opentochangeincrop:359


Maximumnumberofincidentsoflivestocklosswerereported in 2012, when 309 livestock were killed.While the leastnumbersofanimalswereaffectedin2010,when106domesticanimalswereattacked.501 (21%)HH from2340HHsgrazeabout1827livestockintheforest.Howeveronly5%attacksonlivestock have taken place in the forest and 95%attackonlivestocktookplaceinvillage.

Outofthe2340households,itwasfoundthatonly5householdsclaimedand receivedcompensation forlivestockloss.

Attack on Humans

Duringtheperiodof2010-14,4incidentsofattacksonthevillagelocalsbywildanimalswerereportedby4HHsin3villagesaround2PAs.Thevictimswereonlyinjuredandtherewasnodeath.2(1inBassoKhurd&1inBhuriPahari)householdsaroundRanthambhoreTigerReservereceivedcompensation.

Property Damage

A total number of 42 incidents of property damagewere reported by the 3 project villages during theperiodof2010to2014(4HHinMysampetVillageinKawalTigerReserve,CPFand37HHsin2villagesPalsiguriandBarengaBariinManasTigerReserve,MEWS). It was reported that property worth Rs.2,78,000/-wasdamaged in these42 incidents. Allthe 37 incidents around Manas were caused byelephants.

Peoples’ Perception

A total of 1268 HH have reported that HWCincidents have increased over the years Thereasonsgiven for the increase in incidentswerevariedandaregivenbelow:-629HH(50%)havestatedhumaninterference-357HH(28%)blamethebanningoflivestockgrazinginforest-253HH(20%)statedincreaseinwildanimalpopulationand-29HH(2%)respondedthatwildlifeprotectionbyForestDepartmenthasbeendone.

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Trials for addressing HWC SelectpilottrialshavebeenundertakeninafewsitesaroundPAsbyWWFIndiaaswellasNGOpartnerstoaddresstheissueofHWCthroughtechnologicalinterventions 1. BARRIERS FOR CONFLICT REDUCTION

2. EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

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3. ANTI-DEPREDATION SQUADS

TorchandCrackerSquadandMachans

4. LIVESTOCK PENS

PredatorproofCorrals

Buffer Fencing and Lighting

ManasEverWelfareSociety,apartner,dida trial in twovillagesaroundtheManasNationalPark,BaksaDistrict,Asaam. They undertook a demonstration by promotinggreen energy in the form of solar lights and biofencingwhichwasalsoabuffercrop.

These villages are affected by crop depredation byelephantsmainly.Aneffortwasmadetoreducethecropdamagebyplantingthornylemontreesandinstallingsolarstreetlights.

An initialsurveywasconducted in thisvillage to identifythepathsandpointswhichwereusedbytheelephantstoenter thevillages.Thesewere then identifiedasconflictpointsandthesolarstreetlightswerestrategicallyplacedin these areas for better illumination. Six solar streetlightswere installedon thesepointsalong theSouthernboundaryof theNationalPark.Afterseeing thesuccessofthesesix,anadditionaltwentysixlightswereinstalledthroughother fundingsourcesall along theboundaryofthePAtodeteranimalsfromcomingintovillagesandtheirfields.Theinstallationofsolarlightshasbeeneffectiveasitgivesbettervisibilityandconfidencetothecommunitytopatroltheircropsespeciallypaddyduringnighttime.

Elephantshavealsostartedavoidingareaswhere lightsareinstalled.Thelightalsoenablespeopletomovearoundin thevillageatnightwithoutcoming incontactwith thewildlife.

Lemon bio fencing has also been introduced in the twovillages ina totalareaof2acres.Thishas reduced theelephantsfromcomingintothefieldsaswellasgeneratedadditional livelihoodopportunities for 10HHs. It has ledtoan increase in incomebyRs. 4800/- perHH in year.Lemonplantationhasledtodecreaseincropdamageduetoelephantsastheyavoidthornybushes.

Allofthisabovehasledtoa60%decreaseinelephantscomingintovillagesandanaveragesavingofRs10,250ofcropsperhouseholdperyearfromdepredation.

Thismodelhasbeenquitesuccessfuland isnowbeingreplicatedinothervillagesinthesamearea.

Early Warning System

Crop damage by herbivores is an enormous challengeacrossallPAs.Thecommonlyusedmethodsofmitigationandpreventionofcropdamageincludephysicalseparationof conflicting species and resources through fencing/enclosingorguardingofassets.Forguardingofcrops,thefarmersinIndiausuallywatchthefieldsatnightinmakeshift structures called machans and use noise throughcrackersorothermeanstoscareawaythecropraiders. WWF India is trying to find viable low cost solutionsto address the issue of crop damage especially fromlargeherbivores.Theideaistodetectthepresenceofaherbivorebeforeitentersthesystemandthen

Findings

Itwasseenthatafewtrialsweresuccessfulinbringingdown HWC in a select villages. These are describedbelowandalsoneedtobetriedatscaleandforalongerduration to demonstrate its effectiveness to reducehumanwildlifeconflict.


generatearesponseeitherintheformofinformingotherfarmers i.e. broadcast of detectionor in the formof avisualoracousticoutcomethatunnervestheanimalandhencerepelsitaway.OnesuchsystemhasbeentestedatthevillageMankanthpur,Nainital,Uttarakhand.

Thesystemundertesting,isknownasANIDERS(AnimalIntrusionDetectionandRepellantSystem)andusesaPassiveInfraredmotionsensortodetectanimals.

AresponseisgeneratedintheformofsoundthroughahooterandLEDlightwhenananimalisdetected.

Each sensor has a range of around 10-12 meterswith 180 degrees coverage. As the system functionson motions sensors, wild boars and deers are oftendetectedfrom12mfarandelephantsduetotheirslowerpacearetypicallydetectedat5to7meters.Thesystemhas a larger range for detection of lateral movementthananimalsmovingdirectlytowardsit.

TwounitsoftheANIDERSsystem,onehavingasinglesensorandtheotherwithadoublesensor,havebeeninstalledatthetrialsite.Thesystemsarebeingtestedandmodificationsarebeingdonewith thehelpof thefarmerssothatitismoreeffective.

Buffer Crops

WWF-India is promoting crop less vulnerable andresistant to attacks by wildlife in four villages in theKotabaghblock(Nainitaldistrict)ofUttarakhand.Specieslike Phyllanthus amarus (Bhumiamla), Desmodium gangeticum (Shalaparni) and Matricaria recutita (Chamomile)havebeencultivatedinUttarakhand.

Atrialwasdonein2014and2015toseewhetherthesecrops were raided or browsed by herbivores. It wasfoundout that crops likeShalaparni,Bhumi amlaandchamomileareunpalatableandwerenotdamagedbyherbivores.Inaddition,thesecropsalsogaveadecentyieldandfarmerswereabletoaugmenttheirincomes.Asanexample,Shalaparniwasplantedin1.4acresandgaveayieldof206kgs.ThiscouldbesoldforRs.5,150.SimilarlyBhumiamlagaveayieldof293kgsfrom2.2acresandwassoldforRs.10,255.

However,themarketforthesevaryandunlessthereissupport inasystemofbuyback, farmersare reluctanttoplant theseas theirmajor crop.Thesealsohavealimitedshelflifeandneedtobestoredcarefullysothatthereisnodeteriorationinqualityandtheproductgetssoldatagoodprice.WWFIndiaisstillworkingontheselinkagesandtryingtoestablishadependablebuybackmechanismso that the farmerscanbeencouraged toplantthesebuffercrops.

Other Measures

Some easy ways that can be used by farmers forprotectingtheircropsespeciallyfromtheelephants.

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Chillipastedropes:Elephantsareextremelysensitivetochilli as it irritates their eyes and nostrils.A spicy chillimixtureactsasagoodbarrieragainstthepachyderms.ThelocalvarietyofGunturchilliorthespicygreenchilliis considered the best.A spicy variety of chilli pods ispowdered and a thick paste is made with grease andengineoil.Thisisappliedtoacoirrope.Theropecanbehungaroundtheboundaries.Chillicurtainscanalsobemadeusingthesamemethod;andoldclothesdippedinchillimixturecanalsobehungoncoirrope.

Chilli smoke: An old used tin can is hung on theboundaries. These tins should contain coal, tobacco,driedhay,humanhairandchillipodswithburningpapertocausechillismokespreadthroughtheair.Suchburningtinsontheboundariescankeepelephantsaway.

Burningchillidung:Freshcowdungismixedwithbrokenchilli pods, tobacco, and human hair to make a dungcake.Thedungcakesareplacedonthefarmboundaryonawoodenpole.Whenthedungcakesarelit,thechillismokepersistsfor2-3hours.

Trip alarm: To set up a trip alarm, a farmer needs topurchasea thin nylon ropeandadoor bell.Thenylonropeisplacedontheborderofthefarm.Oneendoftheropeisattachedtothetoggleswitchofadoorbellthatisinstalledonthetree-watchtower.Atnightwhenelephantstrytoenterthefarm,theropegetspulledandsetsoffanalarmforthefarmerstotakeevasiveaction,probablybyusingchillismoke.

(Source:Protectingtheircropsfromtheelephants:PrachiMehta, Sangram Parida, Peeyush Sekhsaria, DevidasKaitkar,2014,HowtoProtectyourCropsfromElephants.AHandyGuideforFarmersandForestDepartment.)

Some of the encouraging results that have beenimplemented in the field byWWF India aswell as theNGOpartnerswillbescaledupinPhase3ofthenetworkprogramme.

Thereisacrucialneedtointensifyoureffortstocarryouttrialsanddemonstrationsonmitigatingconflictespeciallycropdamage.Animalslikemonkeys,wildboaranddeerareverydifficulttostopfromenteringthefieldsastheydonotgetdeterredbyfencesoreventrenches.Farmersarealsoreluctanttochangetheircropsastheyareunsureofthemarketaswellinsomeneedcapacitybuildingonhowtogrownewcropsinaneffectiveandefficientmanner.

ThisaspectneedstobelookedatinmoredetailandwherefeasibleKVKsandotherpartnersneedtobeinvolvedforfindinga longtermsolutionofmanaginghumanwildlifeconflictinamorescientificandeffectivemanner.

Some Challenges


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Livestock attack by Carnivores: There were 14incidents of attacks on domestic livestock by thewild animals.All these incidentswere reported fromGandigopalpur. Nearly 3 incidents took place everyyear in 2010 & 2012 and 4 each in 2013 & 2014.Domesticlivestockweremainlyattackedbyleopards,tigers, wild dogs and wild boars. No compensationclaim was filed for livestock loss by any HH in theprojectvillages.

Types of Enclosures:Atotalof46householdskepttheir livestock in different kinds of enclosures. Thetablebelowgivethelistsofvariousenclosures.Outof46HH,only37HHkepttheirenclosurelitduringnight;29HHinMysampet,5HHinGandigopalpur&3HHinIslampur.

Centre for Peoples Forestry (CPF)

A total number of 241 households (HH) weresurveyed for HumanWildlife Conflicts (HWC) byCPF in 3 project villages. These 3 villages wereGandigopalpur with 93 HHs, Islampur with 100HHsandMysampetwith48HHs.

AccordingtothesurveyconductedbyCPF,therewere 243 incidents of crop damage that werereported by 111 HHs in the period from 2010 to2014. The highest number of incidents of cropdamage(109incidents)wasreportedby62HHin2013&leastnumberofincidents(17incidents)wasreportedby17HHsin2010.Onanaverage,36%ofcropsperHHoftheprojectvillagewerelostduetoHWC.Thecostofcroplossintermsofaveragerupees is Rs. 4206/- per HH. Mysampet villagesufferedthemostwithcroplossofRs.5083/-peryearforHH.

Crop damage by wild animals: It was reportedthatdeer,monkeys,andwildboarswerethemostproblematic animals in the project villages. Atotalnumberof112HHand54HHreportedcropdamagebywildboarsanddeerrespectively.

Mitigation measures used by HHs: According tothe survey, out of 241 HH, 171 HH usedmitigationmeasures; 65 HH used machans, 60 HH usedscarecrows, 17HH used ground sheds, 2HH usedelectric fencing,5HHusedwood/bamboofencing,2HHusedbarbedwire,13HHusednaturalhedgesand7HHused light asamitigationmeasure.Almost allthehouseholdshadtobearthecostoftorch,batteryand fuel. No household was funded by the ForestDepartment.

Partner Wise Human-Wildlife Conflict Data


Attack on Humans: OnehouseholdfromMysampetreported that the family members were attackedby a carnivorous animalwhile trying to save theirlivestock. 1 HH reported attack on a 25 year oldman by a wild animal. TheHH did not claim anycompensation from the Forest Department. Theinjured person was also not covered under anyinsurance.

Damage to Property: 3 HHs from Mysampetreported damage to their house by a wild animaland1HHreporteddamagetotheirshedbyawildanimal.The total costofpropertydamagebywildanimalswasRs.19000/-.NoneoftheaffectedHHclaimedcompensationfordamagefromtheForestDepartment. Only 2 households in the projectvillageswereawareofanyinsuranceschemes.

According to the survey, bear, wild boars, tigersanddeerweretheanimalswhichposeddangertothe crops aswell as human beings in the projectvillages.1HHreportedmovementrestrictionwithinvillage and 1 HH reported that theirmovement isrestrictedinforestduetopresenceofwildlife.

9householdsreporteddecreaseand1HHreportedincreaseintheincidentsofhumanwildlifeconflictinpast3Years.TheyfeelthatthedecreaseinHWCincidentsduetothedecreaseinforestarea.

Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG)

A total number of 329 households (HH) weresurveyed for Human Wildlife Conflicts (HWC)by GEAG in 5 project villages. The 5 villageswere Belwaha with 84 HHs, Madanpur-90HHs, Rampur-37 HHs, Bateysara-50 HHs, andVinvalia-68HHs.

Crop Damage by Wild Animals: According tothesurveyconductedbyGEAG,therewere1263incidentsofcropdamageintheperiodof2010to2014whichaffected319HHs.Thehighestnumberofincidentsofcropdamagewasreportedin2011with319 incidents& leastnumberof incidents (1incident)wasreportedin2014.Onanaverage,31%ofcropsperHHoftheprojectvillagewerelostduetoHWC.Thecostofcroplossintermsofaveragerupees was Rs. 3498/- per HH. Rampur villagesufferedthemaximumcroplossofRs.5330/-peryearforHH.

Manywild animals like gaur, deer,monkeys, andwild boar were the most problematic animals inthe project villages. A total number of 315 HHsreportedcropdamagebywildboars,314HHsbymonkeys,275HHsbydeerand94HHsreportedcropdamagebygaur(Bison)respectively.

Type of Enclosure Number of HHs Name of the village

Tiedtheirlivestockinopenenclosure 31 Mysampet 1 Islampur

Openenclosurewithhedge/thornyshrubs 1 Mysampet

Openenclosurewiththatchroof 1 Gandigopalpur 1 Mysampet 2 Islampur

Openenclosuremadewithmudwalls 1 Gandigopalpur 1 Mysampet

Enclosuremadeofmudwalls&thatchroof 5 Gandigopalpur 2 Islampur

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Mitigation Measures used by HHs: Out of 329HHs, 230 HHs used mitigation measures; 300HHsusedmachans,271HHsusedbamboo/woodfencing and 231HHs changed their crop patternasamitigationmeasure.Allthehouseholdshadtobearthecostoftorch,battery,andfuel.NoHHwasfundedbytheForestDepartment.

Livestock attacked by Carnivores: Therewere40 incidents of attacks reported by 34 HHs ondomesticlivestockbythewildanimalsinthetimeperiod from2010 to2014.Maximum incidentsofattacks on livestock (21 incidents)were reportedfromBelwahaintheyear2014.NocompensationclaimwasfiledforlivestocklossbyanyHH.

Types of Enclosures: Outof329HHs,230HHskepttheir livestockindifferentkindsofenclosure.220HHskepttheirlivestockinanopenenclosuremade of hedges/thorny shrubs, 8HHs kept theirlivestock in an open enclosure made with mudwalls. 1HHeachkept their animals inenclosuremadeofmudwallwiththatchroof&madeofbrickwithtiledroof.

84HHsinBelwahaand77HHsinMadanpurtiedtheir livestock in an open enclosure. 37 HHs inRampurkeptlivestockinanopenenclosuremadewith hedges/thorny shrubs. 91HHs in Bateysara& 3 HHs in Vinvalia kept livestock in an openenclosure. In Rampur, 7HHs & only one HH inBateysarakeptlivestockinanopenenclosurewithmudwalls.InBateysara,oneHHkeptitslivestockinanenclosuremadeofmudwallsandthatchroof.OneHHofRampurkeptitsanimalsinanenclosuremadeofbrick/concreteandtiledroof.

Attack on humans: No attack on humans hasbeenreported

Property Damage: Nopropertydamagehasbeenreported

Allthe329HHsreportedincreaseintheincidentsof humanwildlife conflict in thepast 3 years.Noreason for increase has been reported by thepartners.

327 HHs reported movement restriction withinvillage, 322 HHs reported restriction till villageperipheryand110HHsreportedthattheirmovementisrestrictedinforestduetothepresenceofwildlife.

Himal Prakriti

A total number of 174 households (HH) weresurveyedforHumanandWildlifeConflicts(HWC)byHimalPrakritiin3projectvillages.ThesevillageswereKhartoliwith30HHs,Patonwith79HHsandShillingwith65HHs.

Crop Damage by Wild Animals:Therewere874incidents of crop damage reported by 172 HHsin the timeperiod2010 to2014.Highestnumberof incidents (124 incidents) of crop damagewasreported by 124HHs in 2013& least number ofincidents (82 incidents) was reported in 2014 by82HHs.Onanaverage,7.72%ofcropsperHHoftheprojectvillagewerelostduetoHWC.Thecostof crop loss in termsof average rupeeswasRs.1021/-perHH.PatonvillagesufferedthemostwithcroplossofRs.424/-peryearforHH.

ManywildanimalslikeHimalayanlangur,monkey,porcupineandwildboarwerethemostproblematicanimalsintheprojectvillages.58HHsreportedcropdamagebywildboars,118HHsfrommonkeys,28by deer, 106 HHs by Himalayan langur and 112HHsbyporcupine.

Mitigation Methods Used by Households: Outof174HHsofthesurveyedvillages,30HHsusedmitigationmeasures.

Atotalnumberof25HHsusedscarecrows,2HHsusedelectricfencingand3HHsusednaturalhedgesasamitigationmeasure.Almostallthehouseholdshadtobearthecostoftorch,battery,andfuel.NoHHwasfundedbytheForestDepartment.


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Livestock attacked by Carnivores: Accordingtothesurvey,therewere390incidentsofattacksonthedomestic livestockbywildanimalsinthetimeperiod2010to2014.Maximumincidentsofattackon livestock (i.e. 376)were reported fromPaton,Shillingreported14incidentswhereasnoincidentswerereportedfromKhartoli.235sheep,154goatsand 1 Horse was attacked by the carnivorousanimals. Maximum numbers (96) of animalswere attacked in the year 2011 and minimumnumbersofanimals(54)wereattackedin2014.NocompensationclaimwerefiledforlivestocklossbyanyHHintheprojectvillages

Type of Enclosures: A totalnumberof143HHskepttheirlivestockindifferentkindofenclosures.5HHskepttheirlivestockinanopenenclosure,2HHskeptlivestockinanopenenclosuremadewithmudwalls.136HHskepttheiranimalsinanenclosuremadeofbrickwithtiledroof.1HHinKhartoli&4inShillingtiedtheirlivestockinanopenenclosure.2HHsinShilling,24HHsinKhartoliand60HHsinPatonhavekeptlivestockinopenenclosuremadeofmudwalls. InShilling,52HHkept theanimalsinenclosuremadeofbrick/concreteandtiledroof.Outof143HHs,noneofthemkepttheirenclosurelitduringnight.


Property Damage:Nopropertydamagehasbeenreported

As per the study, bear and wild boars the wildanimals which posed danger to the crops andhumanbeingsintheprojectvillages.

21HHsreportedthattheirmovementwasrestrictedin the village and forest area due to presenceofwildlife.

150HHsreporteddecreaseinand24HHsreportedincreaseintheincidentsofhumanwildlifeconflictinthepast3years.145HHsfeelsthatincreaseinhumanpopulation is reasonbehind thedecreaseinincidents.

Jagran Jan Vikas Samiti (JJVS)

A total number of 714 households (HH) weresurveyed for Human Wildlife Conflicts (HWC) byJJVS in 5 project villages.These 5 villageswereAdwaswith333HHs,Ajbrawith112HHs,Bagurwawith128HHs,Dawanawith68HHsandJunijarwith73HHs.

Crop Damage by Wild Animals:783incidentsofcropdamagewerereportedby708HHsintheperiodfrom 2010 to 2014. The highest number of cropdamagewas reported in 2012with 177 incidentsby159HHs.&leastnumberofcropdamagewasreportedin2014with89incidentsby83HHs.Onan average, 32% of crops per HH of the projectvillagewerelostduetoHWC.ThecostofcroplossintermsofaveragerupeeswasRs.1994/-perHH.Ajbra,Dawana&JunijarvillagessufferedthemostwithcroplossofRs.2000/-peryearforHH.

Animalslikebluebullandwildboarwerethemostproblematicanimals in theprojectvillages.A totalnumberof637HHsreportedcropdamagebywildboarandbluebull.

Mitigation Measures by HHs: Out of 714 HHs,637HHsusedmitigationmeasures.637HHsusedcement trenches and 165 HHs used machans &groundshedseach.Almostallthehouseholdshadtobearthecostoftorch,battery,andfuel.

MITIGATION MEASURES USED BY HHs


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Livestock attacked by carnivore: Atotalnumberof158incidentsofattacksondomesticlivestockbywildanimalswerereportedinthetimeperiod2010to2014by153HHs.Maximumincidentsofattackon livestock were (i.e. 78) reported fromAdwas.Nearly 15 incidentswere reported fromAjbra, 23fromBagurwa,18fromDawanaand24fromJunijar.NocompensationclaimwasfiledforlivestocklossbyanyHHintheprojectvillages.

Type of Enclosure: A total number of 633 HHskept their livestock in an open enclosuremadeof hedges/thorny shrubs. None of HH kept theenclosurelitduringnight.


Property Damage:Nopropertydamagehasbeenreported

Allthe714HHsreportedthattheirmovementwasrestrictedwithinthevillageandthevillageperipheryduetothepresenceofwildlife.

Allthe714HHsreportedincreaseintheincidentsofhumanwildlifeconflictinthepast3yearsandtheyblamehumaninterferencebehindit.

Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC) A total number of 367 households (HH) weresurveyed for Human Wildlife Conflicts (HWC) byKCC in 4 project villages. These villages wereGumpadarawith91HHs,KumukSepiwith42HHs,Sopakhawith124HHsandUpperMukurungwith110HHs.

Crop Damage by Wild Animals: According tothe survey, 1059 incidents of crop damage werereported in the period from 2010 to 2014 by 351HHs.Highest number of incidents (492 incidents)ofcropdamagewasreportedin2014by143HHs.& least number of incidents (2 incidents) of cropdamage was reported in 2011 by 2 HHs. On anaverage,8%ofcropsperHHofprojectvillagewerelost due to HWC. The cost of crop loss in termsof average rupeeswasRs. 1231- perHH.UpperMukurungvillagesufferedthemostwithcrop lossofRs.1378/-peryearforHH.

KumukSepi sufferedminimumcropdamagewithRs.1085/-.Monkeysandwildboarswerereportedtobe themostproblematicanimals in theprojectvillages.

Mitigation Measures used by HHs: Outofthe367HHs, 359 HHs used using mitigation measures.Scarecrows,naturalhedges,changingcrop,hiringa person were some of the mitigation measuresadoptedbythese359households.

Livestock attacked by Carnivores: As per thesurvey, 305 incidents of attacks by wild animalson domestic livestock were reported by 303HHs for period of 2010-14.A total number of 68incidentswerereportedfromGumpadara,30fromKumuk Sepi, 103 from Sopakha & 104 incidentswere reported from Upper Mukurung. In all the343 incidents, only poultry was attacked by thecarnivorousanimals.1incidentwasreportedinyear2010,15werereportedin2011,50werereportedin2012,119 incidentswere reported in2013andintheyear2014thenumberofincidentsraisedto158.Fox/Yellowthroatedmartenwasinvolvedinalltheseattacks.NocompensationclaimwasfiledforlivestocklossbyanyHHintheprojectvillages.

Type of Enclosure:Allofthe327HHsoftheprojectvillages kept their livestock in an open enclosurewith thatch roof. 74 HHs in Gumpadara, 30 inKumukSepi,117inSopakha&106HHsinUpperMukurung.None of theHH kept the enclosure litduringnight.

Attack on humans: Noattackonhumanshasbeenreported



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None of theHHs has reported that theirmovementhasrestrictedduetothepresenceofwildlife.

357HHshavereporteddecreaseand10HHsreportedincrease in the HWC incidents in the past 3 years.Theysay that isdue tobanningof livestockgrazinginsidetheforestasareasonofdecrease.

Manas Ever Welfare Society (MEWS)

Atotalnumberof218householdsweresurveyedforHumanWildlifeConflictbyMEWSin2projectvillages.These villageswereBarengaBariwith 96HHsandPalsiguriwith122HHs. Crop Damage by Wild Animals: Asperthesurvey,397 incidents of crop damage were reported inthe period from 2011 to 2013 by 218HHs. Highestnumberof incidents (152 incidents)of cropdamagewasreportedin2013by152HHs&leastnumberofincidentsof(106incidents)cropdamagewasreportedin2011by106HHs.Onanaverage,21%ofcropsperHHofprojectvillagewerelostduetoHWC.ThecostofcroplossintermsofaveragerupeesisRs.6125/-perHH.BarengaBari villagesuffered themostwithcroplossofRs.6567/-peryearforHH.

Somewildanimalslikeelephantsandboarswerethemain problematic animals in the project villages. Atotalnumberof206HHs(88fromBarengaBari&118fromPalsiguri)reportedcropdamagebyelephants&147HHs(Barengabari-65,Palsiguri-82)reportedcropdamagebywildboars.

Mitigation Measures used by HHs: Allthe218HHwereusingmitigationmeasures likeusingmachans,fences,groundsheds&changingcrops.Outof218HHs,150HHs(BarengaBari-56,Palsiguri-94)hadtobear the cost of torch, battery and 134HHs had tobearthecostfirecrackers&Fuel.NoHHwasfundedbytheforestdepartment.

Livestock attacked by carnivores: No incidentsof attacks on domestic livestock by wild animalswere reported.Nocompensation claimwas filed forlivestocklossbyanyHHintheprojectvillages.

Type of enclosure: All the218HHs(BarengaBari-96, Palsiguri-122) of the project villages kept theirlivestockinanopenenclosure.NoneoftheHHkepttheirenclosurelitduringnight.

Attacks on Humans: NoHH reported attacks onfamilymembersbycarnivorousanimalwhiletryingto save their livestock. There have also been noattacksonhumanbeingsbywildanimalinthelast3years.

Property Damage: As per the survey, 37 HHs(BarengaBari-17,Palsiguri-20)reporteddamagetotheirhousebywildanimals.ThetotalcostofpropertydamagebywildanimalswasRs.2,59,000/-.NoneoftheaffectedHHclaimedcompensationfordamagefromtheForestDepartment.

218 HHs reported movement restriction withinvillage,peripheryandforestduetothepresenceofwildlife. 218 HHs reported increase in the incidents ofhumanwildlifeconflictinthepast3years.Theyfeeltolossofhabitatofthewildanimalsisthecauseforincreaseofincidents.

WWF India

A total number of 122 households (HH) weresurveyed for Human andWildlife Conflicts (HWC)byWWFIndia in4projectvillages.ThesevillageswereBassoKhurdwith30HHs,BhuriPahariwith30HHs,Dungriwith30HHsandTaldawith32HHs.

Crop Damage by Wild Animals: Asperthesurveyconducted by WWF India, 161 incidents of cropdamagewere reported in the period from2010 to2014by112HHs.Highestnumberofincidents(92incidents) of cropdamage reported in 2012by83HHs & least number of incidents (8 incidents) ofcropdamagewerereported in2011by8HHs.Onanaverage,23%ofcropsperHHofprojectvillagewerelostduetoHWC.Thecostofcroplossintermsof average rupees was Rs. 3346/- per HH. BhuriPaharivillagesufferedthemostwithcroplossofRs.6037/-peryearforHH.

Many wild animals like deer and boar were themainproblematicanimalsintheprojectvillagesassurveyedbyWWFIndia.

Mitigation Measures used by HHs: Atotalnumberof 37 HHs used wooden/Bamboo fencing, 1 HHusedwirefencing,5HHsusednaturalhedges,22usedmachans,1HHusedgroundshed,7HHsusedlight,53HHsusedanimalstoguardtheircropsasamitigationmeasure.


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Livestock attacked by carnivores: Atotalnumberof98 incidentsofattacksondomestic livestockbywild animals were reported by 61 HHs.MaximumincidentswerereportedfromBassoKhurdi.e.52;23fromBhuriPahari,17fromDungriand6fromTalda.Domesticlivestockweremainlyattackedbyleopards,tigersandwolfs. 2HHsclaimedcompensation forlivestocklossandreceivedthecompensation.

Type of Enclosure: A total number of 109 HHskept their livestock in different kind of enclosures.ThetablebelowliststhevarioustypesofenclosuresusedbyHHs.Only4HHsoftheTaldavillagekepttheirenclosurelitduringnight.

TYPE OF ENCLOSURE #HH

Tiedlivestockin 15openenclosure

Enclosuremade 18withhedges/thornyshrubs

Openenclosure 28withthatchroofs

Openenclosure 11withmudwalls

Enclosuremadeof 13mudwallsandthatchroof

Enclosuremadeof 16brick/concretewiththatchedroof

Enclosuremadewith 8brick/concreteandtiledroof

Attack on Humans: 4 HHs fromTalda reportedattacks on the family members by carnivorousanimalwhiletryingtosavetheirlivestock.

3HHsreportedattacksonhumanbeingsbywildanimal in the last 3 years. The victim was a 30yrs. old male. The 2 HHs claimed and receivedcompensation from the Forest Department. Theinjuredpersonwasnotcoveredunderinsurance.

Property Damage:Nopropertydamagehasbeenreported.

Only8HHs reportedmovement restrictionwithinvillage and its periphery due to the presence ofwildlife.

120HHsreportedincreaseandonly2HHsreporteddecreaseintheincidentsofhumanwildlifeconflictin thepast3years.Thecommunityreportedthattheyfeelthatincreaseinhumanpopulationmaybethereasonbehindtheincreaseinconflict.

Almost all the HHs had to the bear cost of torch,battery,andfuel.NoHHwasfundedbytheForestDepartment.


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Society for Rural Development and Action (SRDA)

Atotalnumberof110households(HH)weresurveyedfor Human Wildlife Conflict by SRDA in 5 projectvillages. These villages were Boching with 34 HHs,Galluwith20HHs,Lachkandiwith23HHs,Ranganwith8HHsandSachanwith25HHs.

OnlyCropdamagehasbeenreportedasaconflictinthesevillages.

Crop Damage by Wild Animals: Asperthesurvey,550 incidentsof cropdamagewere reportedby110HHsintheperiodfrom2010to2014.Onanaverage,23%ofcropsperHHofprojectvillagewerelostduetoHWC.ThecostofcroplossintermsofaveragerupeeswasRs.6699/-perHH.GalluvillagesufferedthemostwithcroplossofRs.9210/-peryearforHH.

Manywildanimals likemonkeysandwildboarwerethemostproblematicanimalstheinprojectvillages.Atotalof110HHsreportedincidentsofcropdamagebywildboarsandmonkeys.

Livestock attack by Carnivores:NoLivestockattackhasbeenreported

Attack on humans: Noattackonhumanshasbeenreported

Property Damage: No property damage has beenreported

Sahyadri Wildlife and Conservation Trust (SWIFT)

Atotalnumberof65households(HH)weresurveyedfor Human Wildlife Conflict by SWIFT in 4 projectvillages.ThesevillageswereAsuliwith15HHs,Deriawith12HHs,Katelwith13HHs,Teraliwith25HHs.

Crop Damage by Wild Animals:Asperthesurvey,66incidentsofcropdamagewerereportedfrom51HHs(Asuli-15HHs,Deria-12andTerali-24HHs)from2010to 2014. Highest number of incidents (28 incidents)wasreported in2013& leastnumberof incidents (4incidents)wasreportedin2014.

Onanaverage,20%of cropsperHHof theprojectvillagearelostduetoHWC.TheaveragecostofcroplosswasRs.4642/-perHH.TeralivillagesufferedthemostwithcroplossofRs.5040/-peryearperHH.

AsperthesurveyconductedbySWIFT,manywildanimalslikeelephants,gaurs,monkeys,deer,boarandharewerethemostproblematicanimalsintheprojectvillages.Atotalnumberof51HHsreportedcropdamagebywildboarsandmonkeys,46HHbydeer,47HHbygaurand36HHbyhare. Mitigation Measures used by HHs: Out of the65 HHs villages, 15 HHs used wooden/bamboofencing, 10 HHs used natural hedges, 19 HHsusedsolarfencesand21HHsusedmachansasamitigationmeasure.Almostallthehouseholdshadtobearthecostoftorch,battery,andfuel.NoHHwasfundedbytheForestDepartment.

Livestock attacked by animals: A totalnumberof21incidentsofattacksondomesticlivestockbywild animalswere reported.Total of 13 incidentswere reported fromAsuli,6 fromDeria,&2 fromTeralivillage.4incidentswerereportedintheyear2011,6intheyear2012,9intheyear2013and2werereportedintheyear2014.Domesticlivestockwasmainlyattackedbyleopardsandtigers.3HHfiled compensation claimand received the sameforlivestockloss.

Type of enclosures:13HHkepttheiranimalsinanopenenclosurewiththatchroofandopenenclosurewith mud walls, 2 HH had enclosures with mudwallandthatchroof,4HHhadenclosuresmadeofbrickwiththatchedroof,9HHhadenclosureswithtiledroof.NoHHkepttheenclosurelitduringnight.




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23HH reportedmovement restrictionwithinvillage,51HHreportedrestrictiontillvillageperipheryand16HHreportedthattheirmovementisrestrictedintheforestduetothepresenceofwildlife.

52HH reported increase in the incidentsofhumanwildlifeconflictinthepast3years.Itisreportedthatincreaseinwildlifeandincreaseinwildlifeprotectionbyforestdepartmenthasledtotheincreaseinhumanwildlifeincidents


Mr Chander Mohan/ Dr Sunil K. AgarwalScience For Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division,Department of Science & Technology,Ministry of Science & Technology. Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi -110016Tele: 011-26590693Email: [email protected]

WWF India172 B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi 110003Tele: 011-41504775Email: [email protected]: www.wwfindia.org

Contact Details:


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