Human-Elephant Conflict In The Adjoining Areas Of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Eastern Nepal

Abstract

Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) has worsened in the past decade and has had its influence till now. There has been a significant increase in human-elephant conflict for land and resources, which has important implications for their respective distributions. This study aims to explore the elephant occurrence, pattern, causes, and impact of human elephant conflict on humans and also explore the relationship of HEC with farming practice using a questionnaire and sign survey. The pattern of human-elephant conflict was analyzed using the secondary data reported to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve from 2017 to 2019. During three years of study period a total of 1,119 incidents of human-elephant conflict was recorded. Overall nineteen signs of elephant were reported during the study period out of which seventeen new footprints and two fresh dung were recorded which revealed the occurrence of wild elephants near water bodies and agricultural field. Elephant behaviour and inadequacy of preventive measures were the foremost reasons for conflict. Variables such as nearest forest and water sources showed a significant association between conflicts. This study reported seventy-four incidents of crop damage, fifty-eight incidents of property damage, and only a case of human casualty during three years. Total economic loss from crop damage was US$ 80.850 per household (HH) and property damage was US$ 81.296 per household (HH) in three years. Traditional farming practice such as paddy, maize, wheat increases the higher chances of elephant attacks. This study has also shown that crop damage is most intense in November at night whereas property damage and human casualties were peak on January. Moreover, Kusaha- Lauki and Prakashpur Buffer Zone User Committees were very much affected by conflict. Hence, understanding the ecological behavior of elephants and reducing the human interference inside the reserve would be the most useful method to reduce conflict.