Role Of Community Forests In Faunal Diversity Conservation: A Case Study of The Community Forests Within Satbariya Range Post of Dang District, Nepal
Date
2007
Authors
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faculty of environmental science
Abstract
This study was conducted to identify the role of community forests in the conservation of
faunal diversity in various community forests practiced in Lamahi bottleneck area of Terai
Arc Landscape in Dang district, Nepal. The study aimed to understand and evaluate the role
of community forests in biodiversity, especially faunal conservation efforts. Different
methods such as questionnaire survey, group discussion and faunal survey in transect line was
used to collect data for the determination of faunal diversity, abundance and distribution
pattern of wild animal, vegetation type and wildlife-people conflict. The variance to mean
ratio was used to determine distribution pattern and chi-square test was used to test hypothesis
that the prominent wildlife species were uniformly distributed in all habitat types in the study
area.
Study shows that the major mammalian species found are; wild boar, barking deer, spotted
deer, four horned antelope, sambar deer, common leopard, leopard cat, jungle cat, sloth bear,
hyaena, and jackal. Tiger comes seasonally specially in the winter season in the area. A total
of 251 signs of wild fauna was encountered in ten transect taken in the area. Among these
signs, the highest signs encountered in the area are 75 which is of barking deer, 72 of wild
boar, 23 of sloth bear, 14 of common leopard, 9 of hyaena, 6 of spotted deer, 5 of four horned
antelope, 4 of sambar deer along with the sign of common monitor, common langur,
porcupine, jungle cat, small civet and hare. The result shows two types of distribution pattern
of major wildlife species such as barking deer, wild boar and sloth bear shows clumped type
of distribution pattern and common leopard shows the uniform type of distribution pattern.
Seasonal visit of wild elephant and blue bull to the area are some positive sign of
development of suitable habitat for wildlife as they are not seen before the establishment of
the community forest. Almost 99% respondents agree with the appearance of wild elephant in
their community forest and only 14.6% agree with blue bull. Blue bull is reported only in the
western part of the study area i.e. Ameliya and Jalkundi area which is close to the extension
area of Bardia National Park.
Major bird species found are; Indian Peafowl, Kalij Pheasant, Red jungle fowl, and other
common birds (Appendix VI). Indian Grey hornbill and Oriental Pied hornbill are frequently
found besides, some people also told about the occurrence of great hornbill in the area. Cobra,
Common krait, Asiatic rat-snake, Common monitor, Golden monitor etc are common reptiles
found in the area. Rock python is also found in the area. Gharial corcodile and Mugger
crocodile both are found in the Rapti River. Turtles are found in Rapti Rivers and also in
forest areas during rainy season.
Major vegetation found in the area are; Shorea robusta, Acacia catechu, Dalbergia latifolia,
Anogeissus latifolius, Adina cordifolia, Terminalia alata, Mallotus philippensis, Phoenix
sylvestris, Berberis etc (Appendix VII). And based on the general observation three forest
types such as Sal forest, Mixed forest and Riverine forest are recorded in the area. During the
study it is found that spotted deer are distributed mainly eastern part of the study area where
Sal forest is dominated. Barking deer and four horned antelope are distributed mainly western
part of the area which has relatively rough terrain and Mixed forest type. However, other
animals like leopard, wild boar and sloth bear are distributed in all the areas.
Peoples are suffered from economic loss due to the increasing number of wildlife in the
community forest as the wild animal damages their crops and kill their livestock. Among the
respondent, 93.8% told about the increase of wildlife in the area, 81.25% told about the
agriculture land visit by wildlife and 89.2% told about the livestock damage. Wild boar, wild
elephant, spotted deer, barking deer, leopard, jackal, jungle cat and sloth bear are the major
animals due to which conflict rises in the community. Elephant comes seasonally but made
large scale damage. The extent of people wildlife conflict is comparatively higher especially
within the settlements located near the forest area.
Poaching is high in these community forests. Among the respondent, 72.9% were agreed with
poaching that occurs in the area. During this study, groups of poachers were also encountered
within the forest with gun and other weapons. Common langur and Rhesus monkey are
disappeared from the community forest due to poaching. Their dried meat is sold in the
market through their fake identity. Among the birds, vultures are disappearing nowadays. It is
mainly due to two reasons first is poison, used in dead body of domestic animal and the
second is felling down of large and tall trees by forest user groups which are very essential for
the vultures for roosting and nesting.
Description
Keywords
Community Forests, Faunal Diversity