Assessment of Crop Damage by Protected Wild Mammalian Herbivores on the Western Boundary of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Central India

Abstract

Crop raiding by wild herbivores close to an area of protected wildlife is a serious problem that can potentially undermine conservation efforts. Since there is orders of magnitude difference between farmers’ perception of damage and the compensation given by the government, an objective and realistic estimate of damage was found essential. We employed four different approaches to estimate the extent of and patterns in crop damage by wild herbivores along the western boundary of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the state of Maharashtra, central India. These approaches highlight different aspects of the problem but converge on an estimated damage of over 50% for the fields adjacent to the forest, gradually reducing in intensity with distance. We found that the visual damage assessment method currently employed by the government for paying compensation to farmers was uncorrelated to and grossly underestimated actual damage. The findings necessitate a radical rethinking of policies to assess, mitigate as well as compensate for crop damage caused by protected wildlife species.

Human-Wild Mammal Conflict in a Human Dominated Midhill Landscape: A Case Study From Panchase Area in Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal

“…Animal husbandry and agriculture are important part of household's livelihoods and incomes in human dominated mid-hills that creates competition between local communities and wildlife for the use of natural resources, that creates escalating conflict (Bayani et al 2016). Total loss of livestock predation per household in ACA at US $ 95 in 2009 and US$ 42 in 2010, with leopards blamed for 94.9 % of the losses (Koirala et al 2012).…”

A tale of two species: human and peafowl interactions in human dominated landscape influence each other’s behaviour

“…Some of the damaged parts may regenerate but there is nevertheless a substantial amount of loss in terms of total yield (Bayani et al 2016). In contrast, for some crops such as chickpea, herbivory in first 20 days after sowing may actually lead to greater branching resulting in more number of seeds.…”

“…In contrast, for some crops such as chickpea, herbivory in first 20 days after sowing may actually lead to greater branching resulting in more number of seeds. However, herbivory beyond a threshold in pre-flowering stage is known to decrease crop yield even in chickpea by as much as 67% (Bayani et al 2016).…”

Energy access transitions in South Asia: a study of positive deviance and the enabling mechanisms for social change at the community level

“…Most of these families are Scheduled Tribe (48%) or Scheduled Caste (11%) 11 , with 41% recorded as other caste. Villagers located in the buffer zone of TATR have, historically, relied predominantly on agriculture for livelihoods (Bayani et al, 2016). Village members typically intercrop rice and soybean in the monsoon season (referred to as kharif crops), with wheat and chickpea in the winter season (rabi crops).…”

“…Whilst government authorities are expected to compensate farmers for the loss of crop damage from wildlife in these buffer zones, a recent study found that the assessment method typically employed grossly underestimates actual damage. Hence, compensation often falls well short of the actual loss incurred (Bayani et al, 2016), a trend that has been found to be consistent across India (Ogra andBadola, 2008, Mishra, 2002), and elsewhere (Barua et al, 2013). Recognizing the reinforcing role of agricultural practices and increased risk of human-wildlife conflict, in addition to known pitfalls and limitations of compensation schemes (African Elephant Specialty Group of IUCN, 2000), the 13 "RI" corresponds to the research informant, whilst "FP" in subsequent quotes corresponds to focus group participant.…”