尼泊尔巴迪亚国家公园缓冲区的人象冲突

亚洲象(Elephasmaximus)是尼泊尔特莱(Terai)低地保护区重要的大型动物之一,它们经常在保护区森林边界附近遇到人类及其生计支持活动。人象冲突一直是保护区附近人类居住区的主要问题之一,每年都会造成经济损失,甚至威胁人类的生命安全,这一问题阻碍了保护区的可持续管理。本研究的目的是分析巴迪亚国家公园缓冲区人象冲突的原因,并评估人们对这种大型动物的感知。为此,在巴迪亚国家公园缓冲区内的三个市镇进行了结构化问卷调查。此外,作为问卷调查的补充,还对关键知情人士进行了访谈。结果显示,93%的受访者在过去三年中曾遭遇大象的袭击。由于大象袭击,去年每个家庭平均损失了大约9690尼泊尔卢比。大象的攻击行为大多数发生在7月至9月,其次是10月至12月。这表明大象对作物的偏好是研究区大象发起攻击/袭击行为的主要原因。大象袭击的第二个重要原因是由于农田向森林的扩张而导致大象食物不足。90%的受访者对大象攻击的反应是驱赶它们(使用火或噪音);51%的受访者接受人象共存,他们认为大象具有生物学和经济价值;然而,还有41%的人拒绝与大象共存,因为大象对当地居民及其生计构成了威胁。人象冲突已对保护区管理活动产生了负面影响,因此,必须通过保护区、当地居民和行政利益相关者的合作来解决相关问题。建议以后开展更多的研究,以了解大象在森林边界和邻近定居点附近人们的居住和迁徙模式。

Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Paschim Kusaha Village of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Sunsari District, Nepal

Human-wildlife conflict has been one of the most trouble-causing issues in many areas of Nepal including Eastern Nepal. This study assessed the human-wildlife conflict status in Paschim Kusaha Village of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve(KTWR), Sunsari District, Nepal. Data were collected from 47 respondents of different households through questionnaire surveys and formal and informal interviews. Results revealed that the most destructive wild animals were wild elephants, wild boar,and wild water buffalo and the most raided crops were paddy(63.83 %), maize(19.15%), and potato(17.02%). Most of the encounters between humans and wildlife were recorded at night(after dusk and before dawn)(78.72%). Local people were suffering from damage of physical properties, human harassment or nuisance, and depredation of cropland due to wild animals.A total of 70% of respondents had a positive attitude towards conservation despite disturbing human mortality records(22deaths in the last five years) from the reserve area and surrounding. Awareness of wildlife behavior together with conservation and easy access to compensation schemes were suggested to minimize conflicts in the area.