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

Abstract

Aim: Wildlife and their interaction human or human-wildlife conflict, though reported throughout human prehistory, its severity and complexity have increased in recent years. The Hindu Kush Himalaya region, rich and biodiversity and known as roof of the world have gained recognition for many conservation success but also with increasing trends of human-wildlife conflict. But, they are sparsely documented and the severity of its impacts are not known for the region. Hence, we present a systematic review on human-wildlife conflict from the roof of the world. Methods: We followed the systematic literature review (SLR) approach of qualitative content analysis, using Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis (SALSA) framework and also used VOSViewer for spatial and network analysis.. Results: Our results based on 240 peer-reviewed articles till 2019 showed 57% increase of publications in the last decades but with disproportionate geographical and thematic focus. About 82% of the research reported cases are from protected area with large carnivores and mega-herbivores as major causes of the conflict. About 53% of the studies were questionnaire-based household and the results highlight habitat disturbance through land cover change, urbanization, and human population increase as major drivers of human-wildlife conflict. Traditional management techniques like guarding and fencing along with improvement in plans and policies have been reported. Our analysis of 681 keywords revealed prominent focus on ‘human-wildlife conflict’, ‘Nepal’, ‘Bhutan’, ‘Snow Leopard’ and ‘Leopard’ indicating the issue are linked with these species and countries. The involvement of 640 authors from 36 countries indicates increasing interest and Nepal and India are playing key role from the region. Main conclusions: There is spatial variation in research with limited regional and transboundary focus. Attention is needed on understanding the pattern of interactions including meso animals along with improved management interventions through integrated and transboundary cooperation for tackling the issue.

People, Wildlife and Contest for Space in Okomu National Park, Nigeria: The Experience of the Host Communities and Managerial Perspective

“…Acharya et al, 2017;Adedoyin et al, 2018;Akinsorotan et al, 2021;Carter & Linnell, 2016;Digun-Aweto & Van Der Merwe, 2019;Odunlami & Osumenya, 2020;Wester et al, 2019). However, a recent study showed that about 87% of HWC studies concentrated on the Asian countries (Sharma et al, 2021). This indicates a dearth of research in Africa region and other continents.…”

“…While cases of HWC date back to antediluvian eras (Gordon, 2009), its severity has increased lately (Sharma et al, 2021), affecting both developed and developing nations (Lamarque et al, 2009). The developing countries are nevertheless, more vulnerable to HWC and, particularly, HWC has become more severe in Africa where majority of the people depends on agriculture, which accelerates the conversion of wildlife habitat to agricultural fields (Fairet, 2012).…”

“…Evidence has it that more than half of the earth's land surface has been transformed by human activity (Benjamin-Fink, 2019). Land-use change has been linked to some wildlife disappearance, changes in species diversity, declines in air and water quality, increases in carbon dioxide emissions, and climate change (Sharma et al, 2021). Human infringement into protected areas is evidenced among other things, in Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa (Benjamin-Fink, 2019).…”

“…Alleviation of HWC is vital to biodiversity conservation, human safety, and environmental health (Sharma et al, 2021). However, this requires a thoughtful understanding of the types, nature and salient causes besides interrelated socio-ecological elements such as the past and current land management practices as well as complex social, political and economic processes.…”

“…First, there are pieces of evidences of HWC in Nigeria, particularly in the study area (Akinsorotan et al, 2021;Digun-Aweto et al, 2015). Second, there is dearth of HWC studies in the Sub-Saharan Africa (Sharma et al, 2021). Third is the fact that Nigeria, particularly the study area accounts for consequential collections of biodiversity (CBD, n.d.) and these are being endangered by urbanization, expansion of agriculture and industrialization.…”