Human–Wild Boar (Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758) Conflict in Western Nepal

Abstract

While human–wild boar conflict is common in conservation areas, there is a lack of information about aspects of conflict and conservation outside the protected areas. The study aimed to report on the crop damage and human casualties caused by wild boar in the western region of Nepal. Simple random sampling was used to collect the data on crop damage and human casualties caused by wild boar. Structured questionnaires were administered in face-to-face interviews with household heads in 219 households. The economic values of crops were calculated based on the local market rate. One-way ANOVA test was conducted to investigate the relationship between crop losses among different study areas, and the Pearson Chi square test was used to examine the perception held by local people about wild boar conservation. The total crop damage by wild boar was estimated to be NPR 26, 06,156 (US$23,962). Damaged agricultural crops included paddy, wheat, maize, mustard, pulses, vegetables, and others. Pulses (8.8%) and vegetables (8.7%) were the most affected crops. There were 10 human injuries among individuals aged 15 years and over. Our study found the majority of respondents (84%) had a negative attitude towards wild boar conservation. Furthermore, this study revealed that local people used deterrents and scare crows as measures to control wild boar. The current findings indicated food shortage and a loss of income caused by wild boar were the factors affecting peoples’ livelihoods, and the majority of respondents were against wild boar conservation. The awareness programme was found to be the best method to reduce human–wild boar conflict. The findings from this study suggest that the development and cultivation of alternative crops should be considered, because crop loss may be reduced by changes in cropping patterns and the cultivation of crops that wild boar do not prefer.