Assessment of human-carnivore conflict in Chitral, Pakistan

Othman Ahmad

doi:10.15421/2020_258

Abstract

Human-carnivore conflict is considered to be a major conservation and livelihood issue (Dar et al., 2009). The present study was conducted to assessed human carnivores’ conflict, its causes, severity and recommending conflict mitigation suggestions. Conflict in the study area was assessed through interview questionnaire, focus group discussions, pasture’s visits and observations. Results showed that 19% respondents had experienced conflict with carnivores. Carnivores depredation on livestock and poultry was the main cause of conflict. Wolves and Foxes are among most blamed carnivores in the study area. Last seven years depredation cases indicated that wolfs are the most destructive and lethal predator of livestock among all. In the pastures wolfs contributed 90% of the total damage. While In the adjacent village’s foxes contributed 73% of the total poultry depredation cases. No records of snow leopard depredation cases were found in the last 7 years. Depredation cases of lynx and jackal were very few. Most of the livestock depredation reported during the summer months from May to September while most of poultry depredation w0ere reported during the winter months from September to March. Respondents revealed that no compensation had given to the affected households, not from the responsible authorities nor from NGOs, that’s why their perception towards carnivore is not good. Of the total 28% recommended killing of carnivores, 22% were in favor of paying compensation for losses to affect. While few recommended improving of sheds/corals, employee youth as a guard, understand carnivore’s habitat to reduce conflict. Results indicates that human carnivore conflict is intense in the area. However, it could be reduced by multi-prolonged conservation programs includes compensation, insurance programs, awareness creation and Improving the livestock and poultry Corals/Sheds. Introducing trophy hunting in the area can also play a vital role in mitigating conflict. The money generated from hunting can be utilized for losses compensation and developmental purposes in the area.

Highlights

Since ages, the human populations are dependent on the natural resources for their livelihood
When the respondents were asked about reasons of depredation, 28% of the respondents attributed livestock depredation to lack of prey in pastures, 25% were of the view that poor quality of livestock and poultry sheds, 6% respondents were of the view that negligent herding practices is the main reasons, 16% were of the view that increasing population of the carnivores is the main reason, and 9% were of the view that over grazing is the reason
Most of the livestock depredation cases reported during summer months from May to September while poultry depredation cases were occurred during winters from September to March (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

The human populations are dependent on the natural resources for their livelihood. Conflict causes a substantial financial effect on rural people Because those who live near to forest or pastures, which is the natural habitat of carnivores tend to or likely to be with lower income source, they are mostly dependent on these natural resources for their livelihood. This issue lessens the tolerance of these people towards carnivores, as a result some time people wrongly identify the culprit and kill other species. Livestock or poultry losses can harm local people’s livelihood (Satterfield, 2009) These depredations on livestock and poultry cases are the cause of human-carnivore conflict and results in threat to large carnivores all over the world (Treves and Karanth, 2003). The objectives of the study were to estimate livestock and poultry losses based on carnivore conflict during (2011-2017), to investigate the human perception towards carnivores in the study area, and propose mitigation measures to minimize conflict

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion