Pattern of human dhole interaction in buffer area of Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve

Phub Dorji

doi:10.18535/ijsrm/v9i03.fe01

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict is a serious problem to conservation efforts worldwide. This is also true for Bhutan, where carnivores depredate livestock of farmers, affecting farmer’s livelihood, however, there is sparse documentation on the extent of human dhole interaction in Bhutan’s some of the important areas of conservation interest. Therefore the aim of this research was to evaluate the extent of human dhole interaction, income lost due to depredation and the perception of the farmers towards dhole conservation. Data were collected from 160 households within two strata of rural and semi-urban area in western Bhutan through semi-structured questionnaire and focused group discussions. Livestock depredation involved seven predators, which caused loss of 5% of the total average annual income of the farmers; which were significantly different between the predators involved. Dhole killed significantly more livestock than other predators and maximum kills were made in rural area than semi urban area. 60% of the incomes lost due to wild predators were caused by dhole with major impact in rural area. Majority of the respondents from rural area exhibited negative attitude towards dhole conservation. They suggested livestock depredation compensation schemes and other livelihood alternatives to minimize the impact of conflict, whereas majority of the respondents from semi-urban suggested electric fencing around their village as measures to reduce human wildlife conflict. Livestock compensation and insurance schemes, integrated conservation development programs, educational outreach programs with other livelihood alternatives such as ecotourism are recommended as intervention strategies to minimize human dhole conflict and create harmonic co-existence.

Highlights

Human dhole interaction involves where the human encroach the dhole habitat and dhole come into the human-dominated periphery and cause threat or competition to the livelihood of the farmers
An increase in dhole population causes the livestock depredation, which results in a negative attitude of the farmers towards dhole, thereby killing the dhole in retaliation and impacting the dhole conservation (Tshering and Thinley, 2017). 72% of the respondents in the protected area of Thailand believe that increase in human dhole conflict was due to its habitat destruction by the alignment of roads (Jenks et al 2014)
This research was aimed to evaluate the extent of human dhole conflict, income lost due to depredation, and the perception of the farmers towards dhole conservation

Summary

Introduction

Human dhole interaction involves where the human encroach the dhole habitat and dhole come into the human-dominated periphery and cause threat or competition to the livelihood of the farmers. An increase in dhole population causes the livestock depredation, which results in a negative attitude of the farmers towards dhole, thereby killing the dhole in retaliation and impacting the dhole conservation (Tshering and Thinley, 2017). Livestock depredations are common in areas where livestock holding forms the an integral part of farmer's livelihood ( Sangay and Vernes, 2014, Katel et al 2014). Dhole caused a major negative impact on the livestock holding communities' livelihood (Dar et al 2009, Sangay and Vernes, 2008). Human dhole interaction in form of livestock depredation has led to a threat to the dhole population by the farmers involved with the livestock rearing in its distribution ranges (Thinley et al 2011). In Bhutan, dholes were nearly extirpated in the 1970s due to

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