Research

Assessment of Human-Wildlife Conflict in Chitwan National Park. Author: Mohan Prakash Shrestha B.Sc.Ag Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science Tribhuwan University, Nepal Email: mohanprakashshrestha@gmail.com Abstract Human-wildlife conflict is one of the critical issues of Chitwan National Park, a world heritage site. Time and again, incidences of loss of crop, livestock and even injuries and death of people have been reported in the park and buffer zone. Conservation efforts in the park cannot be sustainable and effective unless this critical issue is addressed effectively. A study was conducted to assess the status of human-wildlife conflict in the park and buffer zone, significance of adopted practices to reduce the conflict and suggest effective measures to mitigate the problem. Relevant information and data on human casualties such as number of deaths and injuries, wild animals responsible incidents, reason for the incident and compensation received after the incident were collected from the park buffer zone offices, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, and the buffer zone management committee. Some victims were visited to observe their living situation after the incident. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to gather first hand information from the victims and buffer zone committee members. It was found that rhino, wild elephant and tiger are the major attackers on human and wealth in the area. Madi region is enraged by the attack of wild elephants. Similarly, rest of the region is entangled by frequent attack of rhino. 5-10 incidences of rhino attack are reported in the region yearly. Many people loss their lives by attack of tiger, rhino and elephant yearly. Grazing of rhino and elephant in agricultural farm is common. Altogether 202 cases were reported in the fiscal year 2010/2011 in which 9, 26, 95, 31 and 41 were human death, human injury, livestock loss, destruction of houses and animal sheds; and fruit orchards/vegetable garden damage cases respectively. The current compensation scheme to the victim of the attack is worthless. It was found that compensation of only Rs. 2,000-50,000 could be provided to the injured and in case of death, only Rs. 1.5 lakhs is provided to the victim family. Effective measures to reduce conflict are not in practice. For effective management of the park, mitigation of human-wildlife conflict is must. The compensation value must be increased and it must be quick and effective. An emergency fund must be established for providing compensation to the victims. Human intervention inside the park should be checked. Buffer zone management is crucial in this matter. Investment in the community helps to reduce poverty and thus dependence of people in the park. Electric fencing and barring, trenching, watch towers and check posts at scientific distance should be established in the park. Management of grassland ecosystem, wetland and fire land inside the park is must. Key Words: Human-wildlife conflict, victim, mitigation, compensation, intervention, management