Human wildlife conflict in Nepal (Doctorate project/2015 - 2018)
The overall objective of this study is to examine spatial and temporal patterns of human-wildlife conflict based on the five year-long national database of human wildlife conflict (2010-2014) and assess influence of the human density, disturbance and habitat fragmentation on the pattern of conflict.
Nepal has an impressive network reserves that covers nearly 23% of area of the country. Outside of the protected areas, about 11% of land is protected under Forest Act of 1992. This has led successfully reestablishing some of the locally extirpated wildlife populations (e.g., common leopards in midhills). Various reports suggest increasing incidences of human causalities and injuries in the previously unreported areas. In many places, human–wildlife conflicts are increasing, as burgeoning human populations encroach previously uninhabited areas. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand spatial temporal dynamics of conflict in the form of human causalities and injuries in Nepal.
Studies have linked human-wildlife conflict (HWC) to habitat fragmentation, hunting of prey species and human population. Large mammals such as tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), one horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus) are widely distributed in Nepal and are recognized as major large animals causing human causalities and deaths. A detailed understanding of spatial and temporal variations in the occurrence of conflict is critical for developing mitigation measures.
Major research themes are
- Human-wildlife conflict in Nepal: pattern of injury or death of people
- Dynamics of human-wildlife conflict in Nepal: challenges and future conservation needs
- Does forest conservation lead HWC?
Relevant institutions:
- Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Nepal
- University of Hamburg, Germany (UHH)
UHH contribution:
- Supervision and logistic support
Project duration:
- June 2015 to May 2018
Funding: Self
Contact: Krishna Prasad Acharya
Email: kpacharya1@hotmail.com