A Study on the Economic Impact of Human-Animal Conflict on Selected Farmers in Sathyamangalam Forest Range of Erode District

Abstract

The negative interactions between human and wildlife leads to certain losses such as crop loss, property damage, livestock loss and loss of human lives is known as human – wildlife conflict. This study attempts to analyse the economic impact of human – wildlife conflict on farming communities living nearer to the Sathyamangalam forest range of Erode District, Tamil Nadu. The main objectives of the study are to examine the loss and damage value of crop, cattle, fencing and agricultural equipment and the effectiveness of compensation provided by the government to the affected farmers. There are two villages namely Pudhukuyyanur and Pudhuvadavalli in Sathyamangalam taluk of Erode District have been selected for this study. The snow ball sampling technique has been used to collect the primary data. Totally 43 samples were collected, from that 21 samples from Pudhukuyyanur and 22 samples from Pudhuvadavalli were derived. The study found that frequency of attacks is higher in Pudhukuyyanur, where incidents occur regularly throughout the year, while in Pudhuvadavalli, conflicts are relatively less frequent but more seasonal, particularly during summer. The most affected crops due to human – wild life conflict are banana and maize and the major animals responsible for the conflict are elephants and wild boars. The study concluded that farming communities living nearer to the forest areas are most affected due to human – wildlife conflicts. The existing mitigation strategies and compensation measures are ineffective to reduce these problems. The study suggested that there is a need for improved compensation schemes, stronger preventive measures, increased awareness and coordination between farmers and forest officials.