Effectiveness of Human-wildlife Conflict (HWC) Mitigation Strategies and Preventive Measures in Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) Region, Karnataka

AbstractHuman-wildlife conflicts results in crop damage, livestock predation, property damage, and threats to human life, injuries and as well as loss of life to wild animals. We surveyed 426 farmers from villages in ecosensitive zone of Bannerghatta national park (BNP). Total eleven measures were adopted by farmers to mitigate HWCs which were classified into mechanical, biological and chemical measures. Crackers were lit in the field by 70.4 per cent of the farmers and stone-wall fence is a high-cost prevention method adopted by very few farmers but all farmers agreed that it is the most effective mitigation measure. Least cost preventive measure was flagging of paper and clothes, where each farmer spent on an average Rs 282 per year. Shouting and guarding were the most common biological measure adopted by 73.3 per cent of farmers while chemical measures such as repellents were not reported by any farmers. Elephant proof trench (EPT), solar fence, rail-line barricade, and guards were employed by Karnataka forest department (KFD) in BNP region to prevent HWCs. The rail line barricade was more effective in the eyes of 92 per cent of farmers. Farmers did not receive training or advice to mitigate HWC, and providing training will promote the adoption of biological measures to reduce losses. Further combined research and extension from agriculture and wildlife conservation experts will yield new feasible solutions to HWC.