An attitude assessment of human-elephant conflict in a critical wildlife corridor within the Terai Arc Landscape, India

Jasmine, Biba; Ghose, Dipankar; Das, Sanjay Keshari

doi:10.11609/jott.o3914.6843-52

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Similar to studies in other areas of high human-elephant conflict [ 21 ], most plantation owners in this study reported having tried more than one deterrence method to keep elephants out of their fields, with noise and explosives being most commonly utilized and considered most effective. These methods were considered more effective than electric fences which were used by just under half of the plantation owners and generally considered to be only “semi-effective.” Well-maintained electric fences are effective in some situations [ 22 ], but their overall effectiveness depends on the maintenance [ 23 ] and design of the structure, the clearance of vegetation along the fence that can disrupt the power supply [ 21 ], and the learned behavior of the elephants to destroy or avoid the electric fence [ 18 ]. Furthermore, linear barriers such as electric fences, trenches, and other such large barriers may reduce habitat connectivity [ 24 ] and limit elephant movement with negative implications on biodiversity and ecological processes [ 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

“…An important result of this study was the finding that people who perceive benefits from living near wild elephants were more likely to support their coexistence in the area, a positive association also found in India [ 21 ], Cameroon [ 3 ], Congo [ 14 ] and Kenya [ 4 ]. Perceived benefits mentioned by respondents were not just financial- they included community development, feelings of pride from hosting volunteers, and feelings of satisfaction/pride in doing conservation work.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

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Human-elephant conflict in western Thailand: Socio-economic drivers and potential mitigation strategies

Water

Matteson

2018

PLoS ONE

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Understanding human-wildlife conflict is an important first step in the conservation of highly endangered species that can have adverse effects on human communities, such as elephants. To gain insights into variables that shape attitudes toward elephant conservation in Asia, we surveyed 410 households and 46 plantation owners in seven villages around the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary in western Thailand, an area of high human-elephant conflict. We sought to evaluate how past experiences with elephants (positive or negative), as well as socio-economic variables (age, income level, gender, and employment type) affect attitudes toward elephant conservation and coexistence in this area. In addition, we quantified deterrence methods currently used and identify potential mitigation strategies supported by community members. In general, less supportive attitudes toward elephant conservation and coexistence were held by individuals older than 35 years of age, those who had previously had experienced negative interactions with elephants, those with lower incomes, and those working in the agricultural sector. Conversely, those who had received benefits from living near elephants (e.g., supplemental income or feelings of pride from hosting volunteers or participating in conservation work) had more supportive views of elephant coexistence. Plantation owners reported using a variety of deterrence methods with varying success, with firecrackers being the most commonly utilized method. Community members identified several potentially beneficial mitigation strategies including forest restorations and patrol teams, adding water sources to wild elephant habitat, and education of local school and community groups. Overall, our results highlight the value of community members receiving benefits from living near elephants and suggest that special incentives may be needed for demographic groups disproportionately affected by elephants (e.g. those at lower income levels, those working in agriculture). A combination of these and other approaches will be required if human-elephant coexistence in western Thailand is to be realized.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Human-elephant conflict in western Thailand: Socio-economic drivers and potential mitigation strategies

Water

Matteson

2018

PLoS ONE

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“…As indicated earlier, since most of the studies on HWC in the region were local, they were not able to take up the issue on a transboundary level. While it is a fact that instances of HWC in and around PAs and corridors in a transboundary complex such as the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) between India and Nepal have been reported (Balodi & Anwar, 2018;Jasmine et al, 2015), no significant intercountry collaboration has yet taken place to tackle the problem (MoFSC, 2015). This lack of cross-border partnerships and understanding about the transboundary nature of HWC is a glaring gap in HWC research in the region; not enough studies have explored the migratory bent or the compulsion of wild animals which takes them across national borders (ICIMOD, WCD, GBPNIHESD, RECAST 2017; Sharma et al, 2020).…”

Section: Spatial Scale and Themementioning

confidence: 99%

Human–wildlife conflict in the roof of the world: Understanding multidimensional perspectives through a systematic review

Sharma

Chettri

Wangchuk

2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Human–wildlife conflicts have intensified by many folds and at different levels in recent years. The same is true in the case of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), the roof of the world, and a region known for its wealth in biodiversity. We present a systematic literature review (SLR) using the search, appraisal, synthesis, and analysis (SALSA) framework; and for spatial and network analysis, we employed the VOSviewer software. The review—covering 240 peer—articles within a span of 27 years (from 1982 to 2019)—revealed that in the last decade, there was a 57% increase in publications but with a disproportionate geographical and thematic focus. About 82% of the research concentrated on protected areas and large carnivores and mega herbivores played a big role in such conflicts. About 53% of the studies were based on questionnaires, and the main driver reported was habitat disturbance of animals due to land‐cover change, urbanization, and increase in human population. On the management front, the studies reported the use of traditional protection techniques like guarding and fencing. Our analysis of 681 keywords revealed a prominent focus on ‘human‐wildlife conflict,’ ‘Nepal,’ ‘Bhutan,’ ‘Snow Leopard,’ and ‘Leopard’ indicating the issue linked with these species and countries. The involvement of 640 authors from 36 countries indicates increasing interest, and Nepal and India are playing key roles in the region. As for the spatial analysis that was conducted, while it showed regional variations, there were conspicuous limitations in terms of having a transboundary focus. Thus, particular attention ought to be paid to building transboundary partnerships and improving management interventions; there is also a pressing need to understand the patterns of human–wildlife convergence, especially involving meso‐mammals.

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“…Human-elephant conflict (HEC) represents a widespread, complex, and intractable challenge to conservation (Das, Lahkar andTalukdar, 2012 Chen, 2016;Chang'a, 2016;Dabare, 2015;Goswami, Vasudev and Oli, 2014;Gubbi, 2014;Hoare, 2001;Jasmine, Ghose and Das, 2015;Panja and Mistri, 2018;Sitati, 2003;Thapa and Dhakal, 2014;Wilson, 2013). It is well established that HEC results in crop damage by elephants, damage to the house and household properties and injury or death to people (Ngure, 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The notion of HEC has received importance in Assam (Das, Lahkar and Talukdar, 2012;Wilson, 2013). Nevertheless, there has been serious concerns worldwide as to how to minimise damage both for humans and the elephants arising as a result of HEC (Chen, 2016;Chang'a, 2016;Dabare, 2015;Goswami, Vasudev and Oli, 2014;Gubbi, 2014;Hoare, 2001;Jasmine, Ghose and Das, 2015). Studies have put forward various suggestions to reduce the HEC conflict.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Pachyderm Dread: A Case Study of Human-Elephant Conflict in the Fringe Areas of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

Bhaskarjyoti

Kar

2018

SACI

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The conflict between man and animal has been a problem since time immemorial. However, this problem has been increasing day by day with the advancement of technology like the construction of rail and road networks through the forest, establishing stone quarries near the forest, etc. and the increase of population. Human-animal conflict may occur with leopard, wild buffalos, tigers or even with rhinos. However, the most common encounter of human occurs with the largest mammal on earth, the pachyderm. Perhaps, a conflict with wild elephant kills more people than the others. The Asiatic elephant is gradually becoming an endangered species due to the fast decrease of its population. Human-elephant conflict is one of the major causes of decreasing elephant population. Moreover, loss of animal habitat even in protected area poses a threat to their habitat and also becomes a cause for a decrease of the elephant population. Sonai-Rupai Wildlife sanctuary is one of the most suitable abodes of Asiatic elephant. However, rapid deforestation has compelled the elephants to enter into the human settlements, which leads to human-elephant conflict. This study attempts to understand the nature of the human-elephant conflict in the fringe areas of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary and to explore the reasons behind such conflicts. It focuses mostly on those human-wildlife conflicts that result from a direct interaction among humans and wildlife.

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An attitude assessment of human-elephant conflict in a critical wildlife corridor within the Terai Arc Landscape, India

Cited by 16 publications

References 0 publications

Human-elephant conflict in western Thailand: Socio-economic drivers and potential mitigation strategies

Human-elephant conflict in western Thailand: Socio-economic drivers and potential mitigation strategies

Human–wildlife conflict in the roof of the world: Understanding multidimensional perspectives through a systematic review

The Pachyderm Dread: A Case Study of Human-Elephant Conflict in the Fringe Areas of Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

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