Perception of Local People and Concerned Authority Regarding Poaching of Wild Animals (A case study of Chitwan National Park)

Abstract

This study entitled “Perception of Local People and Concerned Authority Regarding Poaching of Wild Animals (A case study of Chitwan National Park)” was conducted from December 2008 to March of 2010 with the broad objective to know the anti poaching activity that is prevailing in this park and its efficiency. The specific objective of this study were to know local peoples, park managers’ perception regarding poaching of wild animals, to prepare the documentation of the poaching hotspots in CNP, to analyze the gap in the process of antipoaching operation and to recommend the park for its effective antipoaching strategy.

Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. For primary data collection, questionnaire survey was conducted with local people of BZ, UGs members as well as group and individual discussion was done with park concerned authority. Informal interview was also done with local peoples, members of buffer zone and members of NGOs and INGOs working in these areas. Microsoft excel 2007 was used for the data analysis.

Chitwan National Park was found to be renowned for its unique diversity of flora and fauna and its outstanding natural beauty. But poaching was found to be its one of the biggest problem. Animals poaching were mainly due to deteoriation of laws and the situation caused by the insurgency in Nepal. So this study was proposed in order to know the cause of poaching activities, resolving and identifying the trade roots, to know the weep holes in the biodiversity conservation and to contribute for suitable biodiversity conservation. Data collected from the local people’s shows that the poaching problem was mainly due to high market value, lack of awareness, unemployment as well as other minor causes. Also most of them recommend for the improvement of prevailing security system and management of the park. They also told that the park and its APU units are mainly responsible for combating poaching problem along with the assistance from the local peoples. Data collected from the park’s concerned authority shows the prime location for the poaching were as khagendramalli, Bangara, Devital ,Island area, Sunachori,Madi, Churia hills etc. Poaching was done generally on the group of 1-5 peoples. Concerned authorities also focused on the improvement of the present laws and the working modality. They also wishes to have further technical support from NTNC, financial from WWF, administrative work from Nepal police as well as other administrative work from other offices and customs. Poachers were mainly found to use pitfall trapping, poison, spears, snares, firearms etc for the poaching activities. The main problems of antipoaching were as low manpower, geographical landscape, and lack of resources, climate and the local assistance. Information gathering, patrolling, reward and punishment system, awareness programme were found to be some of the methods of antipoaching operation. Nepal Army was also found to be one of the main role playing organs in antipoaching activities of CNP. For sustainability of the antipoaching programme, it is recommended to review and strengthening of security measures in all areas to minimize assess of poachers. APU members should be provided with necessary trainings. Reasonable renumeration and adequate security measure should be provided to BZ peoples and antipoaching unit members. With adequate provision of enough manpower, additional guard posts should be created within the short geographical distance. A public awareness Campion is required to educate the public giving them knowledge about wildlife facts, data and harmful effect of buying wildlife products. The rewards and punishment system should be publicized so that the local public will be aware of the rewards for the information leading to the capture of poachers and minimizing the poaching incident in the park.