People’s perception on human-elephant conflict in Rani-Garbhanga reserve forest of Assam, India

Abstract

Large scale destruction of the forest along with encroachments has resulted in higher incidences of human-elephant conflict in Northeast India. People living in proximity to the forests are the worst victim. A study was carried out during 2018–19 to find out the people’s perception on human-elephant conflict in 10 selected fringe villages of the Rani-Garbhanga area of Assam, India. A questionnaire was prepared covering different parameters on human-elephant conflict (HEC). Study found that elephants were attracted the most by paddy, followed by home garden vegetables, stored grain, country liquor, and mud chulla (mud-oven used in village kitchens). An increasing trend of conflict over the period was observed where the majority of the respondents experienced significant crop damage annually. Most of the respondents were not very happy with the compensation practices for crop loss through ex-gratia payment from the government agencies which is often delayed or not paid at all. This delay or non-payment of ex-gratia has resulted in intensifying negative attitudes towards elephant and thus one-third of the total people of the area consider elephants as enemies, and do not vouch for their conservation. An immediate conservation initiative is suggested to conserve Asiatic elephants of this region.