Wild boar (Sus Scrofa Linnaeus,1758) and park-people conflicts in Thanapati VDC, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nuwakot, Nepal

Abstract

The study of park people conflict was conducted in Thanapati VDC of Nuwakot district, located adjacent to north-western side of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The whole VDC was represented the study area. The area was seriously affected by wild boar and other 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 2009/10. The survey was done in 121 households by both questionnaire and NAD method to assess crop and livestock depredation by wildlife for the year 2009-2010. 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. 14908.95 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 Thanapati 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.

Key Works: Wild boars, depredation, crops, conflicts and local people