Crop Depradation by Wildlife in Tarakeshwor Unicipality of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Park-People Conflict (PPC) is defined as any event in which park inhabiting animals injure, destroy or damage human life or property (including the destruction of crops) and are killed, injured, captured or otherwise harmed as a result – i.e. both humans and animals suffer from the interaction with each other. Retaliatory killing and loss of habitat are threats to the survival of many species around the world. This thesis explain the various aspects of PPC in the residing village of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. During March and April 2016 data were collected using combination of semi-structured questionnaire survey methods, focal group discussions, formal and informal interviews and key informant interviews. The major crops grown in the area were Maize, Wheat, Paddy and Vegetable. The average yield of maize per Household (HH) per year was 836.8 kg which was highest, than that of Wheat and of Mustard. The average yield of these crops indicates that the land was highly fertile. The people in Tarkeshwor Municipality, specially two study sites (Kavresthali and Dharmasthali) perceived that crop depredation was the major problem caused by the wild animals. Most destructive wild animals were Wild Boar, Monkey, Porcupine and Common Leopard. The average number of livestock per Household (HH) was around 12. The average number of goat and chickens was highest along with cattle and buffalo. Most respondents believed that the populations of these problem animals like monkey were increasing and incident of human-wildlife conflict was also increasing. Among crops, the damage to Maize was the highest. Regarding the measures to mitigate PPC, most of them have applied different local technologies. Conservation awareness program and public participation are other major aspects that should be considered to mitigate the PPC.

Key words: Crop Depredation, Conflict, Livestock, Wild animals, Protected areas