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Man-Animal Conflict in UP - Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

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April 26, 2018

What is the issue?

  • An adult, male tiger was beaten to death by villagers living next to Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.
  • The continuing man-animal conflict near the reserve area calls for understanding the reasons and for concerted actions.

What is the concern?

  • Dudhwa and Pilibhit tiger reserves are the last remaining protected habitats for tigers and leopards in UP.
  • The contest for space and retaliation between humans and animals has been a case for long.
  • Pilibhit, in particular, is known for the higher rate of human fatalities due to animal attacks.
  • Around 21 were killed in Pilibhit in 2017.
  • One tiger was declared a man-eater and subsequently captured.
  • It is mistakenly believed that bloodthirsty tigers in Pilibhit are actively seeking out humans and venturing far out of the forest.
  • However, a closer look into the nature of attacks proves this wrong.

What do the attacks suggest?

  • Over half of the tiger attacks took place inside the forest or in the fringe areas.
  • This is followed by attacks in farmlands, particularly sugarcane fields.
  • Sugarcane fields occupy about a third of the district’s sown area.
  • A closer look reveals that around 80% of the victims are males.
  • Victims generally include those who enter forest to collect firewood.
  • Those who work in fields and defecate near the forest are victims too.
  • Most attacks took place during the day, when the forest-dependent communities are most active.
  • All these suggest that tigers are not actively seeking out human beings as prey.
  • Most encounters are caused by humans accidentally disturbing tigers that are resting during the day.

What are the reasons?

  • Human beings are not a part of the tigers’ food chain.
  • The attacks clearly take place due to shortfalls in management.
  • The forest and fields are not separated by a buffer zone.
  • Herbivores, the natural prey of big cats, enter the crop fields in search of food.
  • This is when tigers enter the farmland too.
  • The situation is further complicated by sugar cane fields.
  • The crop provides ample cover for big cats.
  • It allows them to inhabit the space undisturbed for months.

What is the case with leopard attacks?

  • Victims of tiger attacks are mostly adult males venturing into forests to a greater degree.
  • However, leopards are more prone to attacking children below 10 years of age.
  • Most of these attacks are concentrated in the adjacent villages.
  • They take place inside or near homes, in the peripheral areas and fields.
  • Notably, leopard attacks are relatively lesser in the fields.
  • Reason - Tigers cohabit with leopards.
  • Naturally, leopards compete with its larger and more powerful tigers.
  • As they have to survive with limited prey that is available.
  • Notably, leopards are known to avoid large prey, which could injure it.
  • So vulnerable children become easy targets.
  • Being opportunistic predators, leopards often prey on livestock and dogs.
  • But most of these incidents remain undetected.

What should be done?

  • Changes in human behaviour could help reduce the number of attacks.
  • Not entering forests alone, not leaving children unattended, and building toilets at home, etc have to be ensured.
  • A more long-term measure is the introduction of mechanical harvesters for sugar cane.
  • This can greatly reduce attacks on humans during harvesting.
  • Introduction of harvesters is likely to lead to people losing their jobs.
  • But in such a scenario, there is a need to find a middle ground.
  • Successful conservation efforts have led to a spike in big cats population.
  • It has also led to an increase in the number of conflict cases.
  • The state has to be prepared for any eventualities.
  • The most important aspect is to involve the community.
  • They have to be better equipped to live alongside these large carnivores.
  • This could be the most important long-term initiative.

 

Source: Indian Express

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