Efficiency of mitigation measures against crop raiding wild animals in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Loading...
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Wildlife Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara
Abstract
A field study was conducted to map and document the human-wildlife conflict
(HWC) mitigation measures being followed in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and to
examine the effectiveness of the various intervention measures used in mitigating the
human-wildlife conflict at WWS. The study was conducted from September 2018 to
May 2019 in all the four ranges of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary viz., Muthanga,
Sulthan Bathery, Kurichiyat and Tholpetty. The mitigation measures such as Solar
Power Electric Fence, Elephant-proof Trench and Elephant-proof Wall were mapped
using the software QGIS ver. 2.18. Sanctuary level and range-wise maps were
prepared. Socio-economic survey of the local communities residing near the forest
fnnges was also conducted for understanding the extent of human-wildlife conflict,
conflict mitigation measures and their effectiveness, attitude and perception of the
people towards the HWC mitigation measures etc. The Land Use Land Cover Change
(LULCC) analysis was also carried out by using Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) and remote sensing technology, both inside the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and
in a 5 km buffer area outside the sanctuary during 2005-2006 and 2014-2015.
The solar power electric fence was established along with the elephant-proof
trench. A total of 190.265 km of fence-trench combination that was taken at Wayanad
was mapped. The combination of solar power electric fence and elephant-proof trench
surveyed was more in Muthanga range (56.535 km), followed by Kurichiyat range
(46.626 km), Sulthan Bathery range (46.052 km) and Tholpetty range (41.052 km).
The elephant-proof wall erected at Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary were less than 200 m
and the total length of the elephant-proof wall that could be mapped was only 654.16 m.
According to the socio-economic survey that is conducted at Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary, 99.17 percent of the respondents were the victim of crop damage, 45.83
percent of the respondents suffered from livestock loss and 40.83 percent of the
respondents experienced threat to human life. Human-wildlife conflict was more due
to Asian Elephants (91.67%), followed by Spotted Deer (89.17%) and Wild Boar
(87.50%). 75 percent of the respondents has experienced crop loss and property
damage due to Bonnet Macaque. Threat to livestock loss due to tiger/leopard attack
was faced by 32.50 percent of the respondents. 26.67 percent of the respondents opined
on that the damage caused by the Malabar Giant Squirrel on coconuts.
In Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, mostly, a combination of elephant proof trench
and solar power electric fence were established. The trenches and the electric fences
are poorly maintained and thus they are less effective. The barriers also suffer a high
rate of failure as people deliberately break them for accessing the forests for various
reasons. Elephant-proof walls cause major ecological challenges, as it completely
fragments the habitat and even affect the ecology and behaviour of several non-target
species of wild animals too. Moreover, it has also been found to be highly ineffective
as in almost all the sites the Elephant-proof walls were broken by the elephants.
Biological barriers were also found to be ineffective to mitigate the human-wildlife
conflict. Despite of a huge implementation of the mitigation measures, the overall
conflict incidents has increased substantially.
Based on the Land Use Land Cover change analysis, it was foimd that there is
an increase in the built-up area inside the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, especially in
Kidanganad area of Kurichiyat range over the 10 years. Increment in the built-up area
is found to be more in the buffer area (213.26 ha). There is a significant increase in
built-up area and cropping area within and on the fringes of the sanctuary. This change
in land use has been done primarily by the conversion of the natural vayals in and
around sanctuary. This change in the land use pattern and the increase in the
agricultural land area could be one of the reasons for the increased human-wildlife
conflict incidents in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Description
PG
Keywords
null