Abstract: Site-specific understanding of the peoples’ perception on the issue of human-elephant conflict has a great value in drawing the conservation planning which has been often given less priority. In Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve, detailed study was conducted around Manas National Park, but no emphasis was given to other part of the reserve. So, an attempt was undertaken between November, 2016 and May 2017 to find out the people perception on the status of human-elephant conflict in five villages under the Batabari Range of Baksa Forest Division of Assam, India. For this, a questionnaire was prepared covering different parameters on human-elephant conflict. Study found that majority (96%) of the people had an experience of human-wildlife conflict in this area. Elephants were identified as the major animal for conflict (100%) followed by non-human primates (66.7%). Majority of the respondent (70.8%) had received damage to house and household property followed by 33% of crop damage, 16.7% of shop and property damage, 12.5% livestock damage and 8.3% of stored grain loss due to human-elephant conflict. Shortage of food was identified as the major reason (34.6%) of conflict followed by anger due to human torture (30.8%), accidental damage due to fear (23.1%) and loss of corridor (11.5%). Though majority of them (70.37%) got ex-gratia for crop damage, the amount paid to them was very less in comparison to the actual economic loss. This practice may have developed negative attitude towards elephant that may impede the conservation of elephant in the near future.
Keywords: Human-elephant conflict, Asian Elephant, Elephus maximus, Manas National Park, Batabari Range.
Title: Status of human-elephant conflict in Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve of Assam, India
Author: Anindita Bhattacharya, Bandana Chetry, Prabal Sarkar
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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