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

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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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the villagers of entire Rani-Garbhanga area of Assam and staff of the forest department for extending their help and support during the study period. The authors are also thankful to the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions. The authorities of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, and Assam University, Silchar (India) is also highly acknowledged for their encouragement.

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  1. Department of Earth Science, University of Science & Technology, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, India

    Biren Ch. Borah & Anindita Bhattacharya

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Science & Technology, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, India

    Prabal Sarkar

  3. Wildlife Conservation Research Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India

    Parthankar Choudhury

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AB, PS and PC conceptualized the idea and designed the research. BCB and PS conducted the field survey. AB conducted the data analysis. AB and PS drafted the manuscript, while PC finalized it. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Parthankar Choudhury.

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Borah, B.C., Bhattacharya, A., Sarkar, P. et al. People’s perception on human-elephant conflict in Rani-Garbhanga reserve forest of Assam, India. GeoJournal 87, 4127–4141 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10491-6

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