The human-animal conflict has become a significant concern, with daily reports of human fatalities caused by wildlife assaults in protected and neighboring regions. Human-wildlife conflicts occur often in national and community forests, as well as in surrounding territories. Conservation areas were established in 2030 BS to protect both natural species and human life in a balanced manner, covering areas in the Mountain, Hilly, and Terai regions. This includes six protected areas, a hunting reserve, a wildlife reserve, and twelve national parks. 13 areas have been designated as intermediate areas. Forest management schemes include national, communal, confessional, and collaborative forests. The National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act of 2029 designates 26 mammal species, 9 bird species, and 3 reptile species as protected wildlife. Forests cover 45.31 percent of Nepal's total land area (including bushes and shrubs). Protected areas account for 23.39 percent of the total land area. The annual report from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Protection states that the increasing human population density in park and reserve areas, along with a lack of suitable food sources for wild animals, has increased the frequency of wild animal assaults on human settlements. According to the department's annual report, 200 humans have died from wild animal attacks in the five years since 2075-076. During this time, 17756 livestock were lost. Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve have seen the largest human and cattle casualties. The National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department has compensated Rs 64.49 million for human and material damage caused by wild animals in the country during the last five years. In the fiscal year 2079-80, Rs 20.3 million was granted as compensation for damage caused by wild animals in Chitwan National Park. Similarly, Rs 20.15 million and Rs 10.97 million were given away as compensation for damages caused by wild animals in Bardia National Park and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, respectively. Similarly, 150 wild animals were poached during this period, according to National Parks and Wildlife Reserves' yearly statistics.
Chart 1: Damage Caused by Wild Animal Attacks in the Last 5 Years
Source: Annual Report (various years), Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
Reasons for Land Encroachment and Poaching
When humans and wild animals’ cross paths while working for their own sustenance, a battle begins. Encroaching on another's land causes conflict. Conservation and intermediate regions contain human settlements. More than 1,142,000 people dwell in these places. Residents of protected and intermediate regions are susceptible to wild animal assaults. Even inhabitants living near national and community forests are vulnerable to wild animal attacks.
Main Reason for Conflicts:
- Increased population in the intermediate areas
- Dependence on the park for grass, firewood, and forest produce
- Illegal poaching and trade of wildlife
- Settlement expansion and land encroachment
- Lack of adequate food for wildlife
- Degradation and fragmentation of wildlife biological pathways.
- Sense of revenge in people
The forest provides the majority of the revenue for the families that live in and around the protected area. They rely on the forest for their everyday needs, including grazing and firewood. This makes them vulnerable to wildlife attacks. Elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, and wild boars have claimed the most human lives. According to a research study, elephants and rhinoceros enter and attack human communities, whereas tigers attack within forest areas. Animals such as monkeys, wild boars, and deer harm crops in the hilly region, which affects the community forest. It is also difficult to secure harvests from wild elephants in the areas surrounding the Terai National Park. The fragmentation and destruction of biological routes have resulted in a conflict between humans and wildlife. As the number of wild animals in the protected region grows and their food source diminishes, these animals are compelled to enter the human-populated area. According to a 2022 census conducted by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department, 355 tigers live in five parks of Terai and some community forests in Nepal. Similarly, there are 265 elephants. Nepal also has a huge population of elephants that have immigrated from India.
The number of poached rhinos, tigers, chitals, and wild boars has increased dramatically during the last five years. During fiscal year 2078/079, 27 chitals were unlawfully taken and hunted. There has also been an increase in wildlife casualties due to wire nets, traps, and other natural causes. To discourage unlawful poaching, the Nepalese Army has placed 8 Ganas and 7 Gulmas in the conservation region from 2032 BS. Forest harvesting, illegal poaching, and illicit wildlife trading are all seen to be contributing factors to the rise in human-animal conflict. According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation's annual report, the primary sources of conflict are settlement expansion and land encroachment inside the boundaries of protected areas and national forests. The Auditor General's 61st annual report states that 104,000 hectares of forest have been encroached across the country. Out of this, 4,221.67 hectares of encroached land are protected. This year, 182.55 hectares of encroached land in Shivpuri Nagarjuna National Park and Banke National Park were restored.
According to a study conducted by the National Concerns and Coordination Committee under the National Assembly, the main reasons for the conflict were identified as the shrinking habitat area of wildlife, the reduction in food sources for wild animals, fires and forest fires, the lack of accessible biological corridors in protected areas, and the development of a sense of revenge among people. (Study report on human-wildlife conflicts in national parks and wildlife reserves and intermediate areas (2080) National Concerns and Coordination Committee, National Assembly)The increase of settlements and encroachment of land in protected areas has made the management of the protected areas more challenging as per the study conducted by the National Planning Commission on the impact of protected areas on the economy of Nepal concluded in 2079.
Economic and Non-economic Benefits
According to the National Planning Commission's assessment, protected areas have a substantial impact on the country's environmental, social, and economic elements. Nepal has 118 ecosystems, 80 of which are protected. Conservation areas are essential for ecosystems’ protection and management. Conserving natural resources and biodiversity has helped to strengthen the tourism industry. Conversation areas boost agricultural output, offer natural fertilizer, and aid in flood control. Protected areas have made it easier to gather raw materials for the community. It has even been the main source of livelihood for many. The integrated community development initiative in the center has helped local inhabitants. Around half of National Parks' earnings are spent on conservation, management, and community development projects.
The National Planning Commission made a report on the influence of protected areas on Nepal's economy in 2079, which showed that protected areas contributed 1.10% to the country's GDP. Out of all international tourists visiting Nepal, 60% visit protected areas. Shivpuri National Park received 1.898 million visitors, Chitwan National Park received 1.836 million, and Annapurna Conservation Area received 1.222 million visitors over the last decade. Overall, 6.139 million domestic and international tourists have visited the protected area. This period saw a total revenue collection of Rs 5.62 billion.
Chart 2: Tourist Arrivals and Revenue Collection in Protected Areas During the Five Years
Source: Annual Report (2080), Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
Policy Implementation and Effectiveness
Under Article 51 (g) 5 of the Constitution, the state must pursue a policy of sustainable use of forests, wildlife, birds, vegetation, and biodiversity while minimizing the negative effects of industrialization and physical development and raising public awareness about environmental cleanliness. The National Wetlands Policy 2069 strives to maintain biodiversity and the environment by safeguarding, restoring, and successfully managing wetlands. The conservation area is protected by four acts: the National Parks and Species Protection Act 2029, Act 2073 to regulate and limit international trade in endangered species and flora, the Environment Protection Act 2076, and the Forest Act 2076. The Forest Encroachment Strategy 2068 stresses the protection of Nepal's forests, ensuring that they do not fall below 40% of the country's total land area. This strategy highlights the necessity of protecting forests from invasion on a national scale.The Forest Sector Strategy 2072 also addresses protected areas. Nepal has signed eight international agreements in the areas of biodiversity, the environment, and wildlife conservation.
Table 1: Details of International Treaties and Agreements Regarding Biological Diversity and Environmental Protection of Which Nepal is a Part of
Source: Annual Report (2080) Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
The 16th five-year plan aims to create coexistence between humans and wild animals by protecting wildlife. This year's budget includes efforts to prevent human-wildlife conflict, safeguard biological corridors, and construct infrastructure to support wild animal migration. This program aims to fund the building of electric fences and fences with mesh to decrease damage caused by wildlife.
Conclusion
Protecting biodiversity, conserving animals, and ensuring human security should all be approached in a balanced manner. The number of wild elephants, tigers, and bears has increased, as has the number of attacks on human lives. The scarcity of food in the protected regions has led them to travel into human settlements. Educating residents on the benefits of wildlife conservation and sharing the benefits of these areas can help lessen the dispute. Adoption of alternative farming techniques in regions around parks and community forests can help to prevent crop damage from wild animals. The construction of electric fences, barbed wire, and trenches to separate agricultural and residential areas from forests can help to prevent human-wildlife conflict. The responsibility of local governments to mitigate wildlife-related incidents should be expanded by broadening the scope of compensation for wild animal attacks.
