Human coexistence with leopards and elephants: Losses and coping strategies in an Indian tiger reserve

Abstract

Conflicts between humans and wildlife, particularly involving common leopards (Panthera pardus) and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the Himalayan region, pose significant challenges for both communities and conservation efforts. This study fills crucial gaps in existing research, extending beyond landscape-level predictors of these conflicts. By examining patterns of losses due to leopard and elephant encounters and assessing the effectiveness of coping strategies, along with socio-economic factors associated with these conflicts in the Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR), this study aims to inform more targeted policy approaches for forest communities. Conducting face-to-face interviews with 345 households across 10 forest villages in the BTR, the study revealed that leopards predominantly target cows during the day and goats during both day and night, while elephants raid crops, particularly during crucial agricultural phases like paddy transplantation and harvesting. Financial losses prompt the adoption of coping strategies, with traditional measures showing limited effectiveness. Visual deterrents like flashing bright LED torchlights for elephants and night lights for leopards prove more promising. Larger households with substantial livestock are more vulnerable to leopard attacks, and rice cultivation areas and the eastern division of the BTR face heightened elephant-related crop damage. The study recommends immediate measures like visual deterrents and long-term strategies such as sustainable livelihood support and habitat restoration to mitigate conflicts. Its global significance lies in advocating for tailored policies worldwide that balance conservation with livelihood protection.