Park-People Conflict in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park: A Case Study of Sundarijal Village Development Committee, Kathmandu District, Nepal

Abstract

The study of park people conflict was conducted in Sundarijal VDC of Kathmandu district, located adjacent to north-eastern side of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The whole VDC was represented the study area. The area was seriously affected by wildlife. The problems are increasing year by year. The research aimed to identify the level of conflict between local people and wildlife carried out in 2010/11. The survey was done in 121 households by both questionnaire and NAD method to assess crop and livestock depredation by wildlife for the year 2010-2011. Crop damage amounting 101152.94 kg was found due to wildlife in the study area. The study estimated economic loss of crop was RS. 1803982.68 of which 11.05% to paddy, 3.45% to wheat, 20.38% to maize, 5.20% to millet, 4.22% to mustard and 55.70% to potato. The economic loss was Rs. 14,908.95 per household on an average.

As wild boar was a serious pest species of crop, 32.07% followed by porcupine (17.56%), rats (14.15%), monkey (13.42%), deer (12.89%), bear (5.87%) and birds (4.04%). The total economic loss of livestock and avian stock was Rs. 293400 in Sundarijal VDC and average loss was Rs. 2446.44 per household. Traditional preventive measures include machan, fence and various types of scaring devices, which are partially successful to chase wild animals. The conflict between the park and the local people arose by the both sides.