Livestock depredation by large carnivores in the Indian trans-Himalaya: conflict perceptions and conservation prospects

• Published in: Environmental Conservation
• Main Author: MISHRA, CHARUDUTT
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1997
• Subjects: Indian; Canis lupus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0376892997000441; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0376892997000441

Livestock depredation by the snow leopard, Uncia uncia , and the wolf, Canis lupus , has resulted in a human-wildlife conflict that hinders the conservation of these globally-threatened species throughout their range. This paper analyses the alleged economic loss due to livestock depredation by these carnivores, and the retaliatory responses of an agro-pastoral community around Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in the Indian trans-Himalaya. The three villages studied (80 households) attributed a total of 189 livestock deaths (18% of the livestock holding) over a period of 18 months to wild predators, and this would amount to a loss per household equivalent to half the average annual per capita income. The financial compensation received by the villagers from the Government amounted to 3% of the perceived annual loss. Recent intensification of the conflict seems related to a 37.7% increase in livestock holding in the last decade. Villagers have been killing the wolf, though apparently not the snow leopard. A self-financed compensation scheme, and modification of existing livestock pens are suggested as area-specific short-term measures to reduce the conflict. The need to address the problem of increasing livestock holding in the long run is emphasized.