Human–Leopard Conflict in Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

In present scenario, the topic human-leopard conflict has attracted a great attention. In Nepal, common leopards (Panthera pardus) are widely distributed in different protected areas as well as human dominated landscape. The main objective of this study was to assess the human leopard conflict in Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park. Specific objectives were to find out the present situation and techniques to minimize conflict, livestock depredation and human casualties and quantify it in terms of economic loss and lastly the perception of local people towards leopard conservation. I collected data on livestock depredation, leopard death and human casualties using questionnaire survey (n= 210) in the buffer zone of SNNP and analyzed it in SPSS. The houses were selected by random sampling method. In some of the areas I used Snowball sampling method to know about the people whose livestock were recently depredated by leopard. Only four leopards were found dead and one got injured because of various reasons. The possible reasons repeatedly loss of livestock, road accidents at night time and one was due to the electric current. The total number of livestock depredated by leopard was 131, among them 88 were goats, 32 dogs, six hens, one buffalo, three cow and a calf and also few human beings were injured or attacked by common leopard within 5 years. The total estimated economic loss was U$ 9,600 whereas only five people got compensation of U$ 530 .The number of leopard visiting to human settlements area had been decreased as well as livestock depredation after a devastating earthquake of 2072 BS. This was mainly due to the destruction of old houses, people movement towards city areas and loss of livestock because of earthquake. Most of the people preferred fencing (37.14%) for the minimization of conflict whereas 12.86% and 10.48% also answered killing and threatening; respectively. Around 30% of respondents believed that conservation of leopard helped in tourism. As, my study area was located in the Kathmandu where there was high literacy rate, every people were aware about the benefits of leopard conservation. So, the different caste group (Brahmin, Chhetri, Newars, and Tamangs) inhabiting in the buffer zone and different age group of people showed positive perception.