Crop Depradation by Wildlife in Tarakeshwor Unicipality of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Kathmandu, Nepal
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Central Department Of Zoology
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