Exploring the Dynamic Coexistence of Humans and Wildlife: Understanding Causes, Nature, and Strategies for Managing Human-Wildlife Interactions in Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir Javid Mohsin*, Ahmad Khursheed, Ahmad Imtiyaz1, Naqash Rashid1, Rahmani Asad R.2 Division of Wildlife Sciences, Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology Kashmir, Srinagar, 191 201, India 1Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir Government, Srinagar, 190 001, India 2Former Director, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai-400 001, India *E-mail: mjavid@myamu.ac.in
Online Published on 20 February, 2024. Abstract This study addresses the rising Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in the human-dominated landscape of Ganderbal district, Jammu, and Kashmir, India, enhanced by human population growth, land-use changes, and increased wildlife populations. This study initiated in response to a specific incident in July 2021 when leopard lifted a girl child and the research spans from July to December 2021. Camera trap installation, questioner surveys, interviews, field observations, and conflict data from the Wildlife Protection Department. The study provides comprehensive insights into the nature, magnitude, and causes of HWC. Out of the eight species recorded in 13,00 captures of camera trap, the highest encounter rates were observed for the Indian crested porcupine and Red fox, while the Kashmir gray langur and common leopard showed the lowest rates. Conflicts were predominantly associated with the Himalayan black bear, peaking during crop harvest in September and October. Questionnaire surveys with 150 individuals and households revealed that land-use conversion from agriculture to horticulture contributed significantly to conflict, constituting 36% of all studied conflict types. Between 2015 and 2021, leopard/bear attacks resulted in 23 injuries and two deaths, predominantly occurring within 3 km of forests or dense plantations. Only 17% of respondents received compensation and reported satisfaction with human-wildlife coexistence. Predation on goats and sheep during winter was attributed to the Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, and leopard, while Golden jackals and red foxes targeted poultry. Traditional methods were employed by farmers for crop and livestock protection. The study underscores the critical need for effective mitigation strategies and highlights the complex interplay between human activities, land-use changes, and wildlife conservation in the context of. Top Keywords Compensation, Human-wildlife conflict, Mitigation, Camera traps, Land-use change. Top |