Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26
December 2019 | 11(15): 14979–14988
Understanding
people’s perception and attitudes towards mammalian fauna using qualitative
data: a case study in Barail Wildlife Sanctuary,
India
Amir Sohail
Choudhury 1, Rofik Ahmed Barbhuiya 2 & Parthankar
Choudhury 3
1,2,3 Wildlife
Conservation Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam
University, Silchar, Assam 788011, India.
1amirsohailhk@gmail.com,
2rofikahmed5@gmail.com,3 parthankar@rediffmail.com (corresponding author)
doi: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5283.11.15.14979-14988
Editor: Priya Davidar, Sigur Nature Trust, Nilgiris, India. Date of
publication: 26 December 2019 (online & print)
Manuscript details: #5283 | Received 28 July 2019 | Final received 21 November 2019 |
Finally accepted 01 December 2019
Citation: Choudhury, A.S., R.A. Barbhuiya & P. Choudhury (2019). Understanding people’s perception and attitudes
towards mammalian fauna using qualitative data: a case study in Barail Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 11(15): 14979–14988. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5283.11.15.14979-14988
Copyright: © Choudhury et
al. 2019. Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction,
and distribution of this article in any medium by adequate credit to the
author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: Our research is not
funded by any agency or organization.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing
interests.
Author details: Mr.
Amir Sohail Choudhury is interested in
studying population and distribution pattern of birds and mammal (especially
non-human primate and ungulates) in Assam. Currently, he is a research scholar
of Assam University, Silchar doing research in
non-human primate and ungulates of Barail Wildlife
sanctuary. He is also a freelancer,
having interest in wildlife photography.
Mr. Rofik
Ahmed Barbhuiya is a research scholar doing
research on one of the threatened primates namely Capped Langur of Barail wildlife sanctuary at Assam University, Silchar. He is also interested in studying behavioural ecology of non-human primates of Assam. He is
involved in raising awareness for the protection of wildlife in schools and
colleges. Prof. Parthankar
Choudhury is a professor in
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar (India). He
is involved in various wildlife conservation and ecological research in India
especially in the northeastern India. He also played an active role in framing
awareness camps regarding the protection of biodiversity in entire southern
Assam.
Author contribution: ASC—design of
the concept, writing of manuscript, analysis and data collection. RAB—data
collection, design of the concept. PC—writing of manuscript, analysis of data.
Acknowledgements:
We express our gratitude to large
number of people especially village headmen, villagers, forest officials
(especially chief conservator of forest and district forest officer), Dr. Khairrujjaman Mazumder, Syed Asad Hussain who
helped us in completion of this survey.
We also owe our deep appreciation to the Department of Ecology and
Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar for
creating the platform for research.
Other noteworthy mentions are Biswajit Singh, Tanmaya
Chakrabartee, Deborah Daolagupu,
Nazimur Rahman Talukdar, Yasmin Choudhury, Sajjad
Choudhury, Shamima Choudhury, Sharika Choudhury, Syed
Ahan Hussain, and Puja Das for their constant
suggestions, support and encouragement in this work.
Abstract: A concise interpretation of people’s perception and
attitude towards wildlife helps in formulating better long-term conservation
policies. In an attempt to understand
people’s perception, we considered one of the threatened and least known
ecosystems of northeastern India, the Barail range, mainly focusing on the Barail
Wildlife Sanctuary, the only protected area of this range, and falls in the
Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot area.
The sanctuary is known for a high diversity of mammals, mainly primates
(with seven reported species), and bears (with three of the eight globally
known species—a diversity not met elsewhere in the globe). To protect its pristine wildlife wealth, it
is essential that the perception of the local settlers is elucidated, and this
prompted us to take up the present study. In this study, we used open- and close-ended
questionnaire, which was then coded (yes/positive=1 and no/negative=0). Each response was thoroughly examined using
logistic regression and variables like socio-economic factors, knowledge of the
sanctuary, wildlife and forest management were found to generate positive
perception towards the sanctuary and its wildlife, and vice-versa. Further, alternative means is suggested in
terms of tourism, and the attitudes towards instigation of tourism were mostly
favoured by the locals. Besides
promoting tourism, providing alternative livelihood and vocational trainings
for the locals and, timely compensation for the losses caused by the animals
should be long-term strategies for the conservation of the mammals of the
sanctuary. It has been increasingly
recognized that involvement of locals is a prima facie requirement in the
conservation of wildlife, and as such their perception is of great
significance. While the study was
conducted at the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary, the
results may translate in other protected areas, and may be referred to as a
model strategy for other protected areas having similar scenario.
Keywords:
Assam, Barail range, conservation, northeastern India, threatened habitat.
Introduction
With growing
human population and concomitant increased demand for agricultural land and
forest produce, the incidences of human-wildlife negative interactions and
reclamation of forest land have increased, and thus implementation of effective
wildlife conservation legislatures and policies are at bay. India is the second most populous country in
the world with human population density of 323 people per km2
(Census 2011). Fortunately, India also
has the largest constitutional framework of law in the world for protecting the
rights to live for people as well as wildlife.
Among the government polices like, the National Forest Act (1988), and
Schedule Tribes and other Forest Dweller Recognition Act (2006) have legitimized
the rights of the people especially tribes, for the settlement inside or at the
fringe of forest, and utilize its resources.
Likewise, Forest Conservation Act (1980) prevents excessive lumbering or
extraction of natural resources from reserve forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and
national parks. With such policies in place and on the contrary, burgeoning
human population, it is very difficult to implement conservation strategies
effectively. This is mainly because
sudden restriction in the use of forest resources or eviction from inside or
vicinity of the protected areas may create conflict among forest dwellers and
the government machineries (Mukherjee & Borad
2004). Attitude of the people living
around or inside the forest is very significant in implementation of
conservation policies or management actions (Winter et al. 2005). Attitude, however, vary inevitably depending
upon several factors. While benefits from the forest (e.g., collection of
timber and non-timber forest products) create positive attitude, loss of assets
(e.g., crop foraging and depredation of livestock by wildlife) generates
negative attitude (Walpole & Goodwin 2001; Talukdar & Gupta 2017). Moreover, education, awareness, age and
socio-economic status can largely influence the attitudes (Karanth
et al. 2008). Since people’s perception
and attitude towards forest and wildlife significantly influences effective
wildlife conservation (Soto et al. 2001; Sundaresan
et al. 2012), a thorough understanding of the factors influencing the
perception is most important in developing management actions and implementing
policies both at local and national levels. In addition, it promotes public
awareness regarding the importance of forest and its resource (Gillingham &
Lee 1999; Soto et al. 2001; Kaltenborn et al. 2006).
Keeping this
in the backdrop, the present study was conducted in the Barail
Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Assam, India, an eco-sensitive zone, to elucidate
people’s perception towards the forest and its wildlife. This sanctuary forms a
part of the Barail range, in the Indo-Chinese
sub-region and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al. 2000). It is one among the few remaining tropical
forests of India (Pawar & Birand
2001; Choudhury 2013a), and the only protected area in southern Assam. A complex network of small and large streams
along with diverse forest types makes the sanctuary an ideal habitat for
mammalian fauna. The sanctuary is known to shelter a high diversity of primates
and bears. This includes threatened
species like Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock hoolock,
Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides, Pig-tailed Macaque M. nemestrina,
Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus, Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus
bengalensis, Assamese Macaque M. assamensis, and Rhesus Macaque M. mulatta (Choudhury 1997, 1988, 2005, 2013a, 2016; Mazumder 2014).
Further, the Barail range and its adjoining
areas, form an unique bear kingdom, with three out of eight globally known
species (Choudhury 2011, 2013a,b, 2016), including Malayan Sun Bear Helarctos malayanus,
Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus,
and Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus.
Besides, various species of small carnivorous, ungulates and rodents are
also reported from the sanctuary (Choudhury 2013a). The adjoining areas of the BWS, however, are
densely populated including habitations and agricultural fields, and thus the
chances of exploitation are obviously higher (Pawar
& Birand 2001).
Thus, conserving the wildlife wealth of the sanctuary would be a
difficult venture without the active participation of the locals.
In view of
the above issues, we assumed that socio-economic factors, knowledge of the
sanctuary, and forest management influence the perception of the locals towards
conservation of the sanctuary. Further,
we also tried to assess the perception towards mammals of this sanctuary, for
which we assume that losses by animals, income status and knowledge of wildlife
may largely influence their perception.
Our endeavor had been to understand the
perception of the local people towards the sanctuary and its wildlife; so that
we can suggest some recommendations for effective long-term conservation.
Methods
Study area
Barail
Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Cachar District
of Assam, India. Sprawled over an area
of 326.24km2, BWS is bounded by the Indian state Meghalaya in the
west and north-west, the Dima Hasao District of Assam
to the north-east, and Cachar District of Assam in
the south and east. The course of the
river Jatinga divides the sanctuary into two blocks
namely western (Karimganj division) and eastern (Cachar division) blocks.
The river Dolu runs from the eastern boundary
and the river Boleswar runs from western boundary of
BWS. Besides, a network of small
rivulets and rapids are widely spread inside the sanctuary. The primary vegetation of the BWS is tropical
evergreen, semi-evergreen forest and moist deciduous as well as barren grass
blanks (Choudhury 2013a). Champion &
Seth (1968) classified the vegetation as Cachar
tropical evergreen forest, Cachar tropical
semi-evergreen forest, and subtropical broadleaf hill forest.
The present
study was conducted in eight sites within the radius of 2km from the sanctuary
covering both the eastern and western blocks (Figure 1) as follows:
Eastern block:
Indranagar (24.9860N, 92.8630E): This
village lies at the southeastern boundary of the
sanctuary. The river Dolu
runs north to south dividing the sanctuary from this village. Further, the area is characterized by
monoculture of Areca catechu in the home gardens and Tectona
grandis as the forest plantation. Perhaps this is the only site where a forest
plantation was seen. Amaranagar and Nagar tea gardens
surround the village.
Telacherra (24.9720N, 92.7980E): It is
located to the south of BWS. In order to
fulfill our criteria, we restricted the survey to one
part of this village called Subangpunjee. The village is formed with the contiguous
forest patch of the sanctuary that is vegetation constituted at the buffer
zone. Forest patch is relatively dense
with mixed forest, mainly bamboo. Home
gardens are also common and a small stream called Subang-cherra
flows from southeast to northwest along the village.
Marwacherra (24.9720N, 92.7670E): The
village is located to the southwestern boundary of the sanctuary which is near
the Silchar-Lumding highway (NH 27). The area is characterized by monoculture of Areca
catechu and a few patches of bamboo; vegetable crops and paddy cultivation
are prominent here.
Bandarkhal (25.0570N, 92.8020E): It is
located to the northeastern boundary of the sanctuary
and near the Silchar-Lumding highway (NH 27). The area has large rocky stream and
streamline forest, which is more dense in its interior. Besides, home gardens and monoculture of wild
banana also occur in the area.
Western
Block:
Daralcherra (24.9690N, 92.6350E): The
village is at the south end of the boundary.
The area is characterized by degraded forest patch and crop cultivation
for home garden.
Lakhicherra (25.0220N, 92.4870E): It lies
at the southeastern boundary of the sanctuary. The area is characterized by slopes with wild
banana plants, Areca catechu and home gardens.
Isacherra (25.0200N, 92.5240E): This
village also lies at the southeastern boundary of the
sanctuary, adjacent to Lakhicherra. Fragmented patch of secondary forest along
monoculture of Areca catechu and home gardens are common in this
village.
New Malidhar (25.1880N, 92.7060E): This
village is located at the western most limit of the sanctuary. The village is formed along the river Boleswor that flows in between BWS and Narpuh
Wildlife Sanctuary of Meghalaya. This
river demarcates the states of Assam and Meghalaya. Slopes are characterised by monocultures of Areca
catechu, wild banana plants, and home gardens.
Data Collection
Preliminary
survey was conducted with forest officials in order to locate the fringe
villages surrounding the BWS between December 2016 and January 2017. Thereafter, we restricted to the randomly
selected eight villages which were located within 1–2 km radius from the
boundary of the sanctuary. After
selecting the villages, detailed survey regarding the perception of villagers
towards the forest and the wildlife of the sanctuary was started from January
2017 and continued till February 2018.
The purpose of the interview was explained to the respondents, and those
who were willing to participate were interviewed. For the convenience, we used
the vernacular language, Bengali. Each
respondent represented a single household, which were selected randomly from
the villages. In this manner, we
interviewed at least 50% of the households from each village. Data were collected using close-ended as well
as open-ended questionnaires targeting head of the households, people who
regularly visit forest, and the local hunters.
Majority of the respondents (>97%) were male aged more than 35–40
years. In terms of literacy, all the
respondents were able to read and write their name. Most of them (93%), however, had primary
education, a few had secondary (4%), and a very few (3%) were graduates. Each of the responses was taken in as ‘yes’
or ‘no’. We also used another ordinal
measurement for perception in which, coding was done using 0-1-2 (very
less-less-moderate) for income status and 3-2-1 (yes-neutral-no) for tourism.
Data Analysis
Logistic
regression models were used to examine relationships between perceptions as
dependent variables, and socio-economic factors, knowledge of the forest and
wildlife, forest management and as independent variables. Each factor was grouped and codes were
assigned for each attribute for the purposes of logistic regression (Table
1). We also assigned codes for each
responses (yes/positive=1 and no/negative=0).
Multicollinearity among independent variables was checked using
tolerance tests (Htun et al. 2012) before running
logistic models. Multicollinearity is
considered high if the tolerance is lower than 0.2. Data sets were tested to get perception
towards the BWS and conservation of the mammals using a hierarchical approach
in which socio-economic factors were entered in step one (hereafter referred to
as Model 1 and Model 2) and knowledge and forest management variables were
entered in step two (hereafter referred to as Model 3 and Model 4) (Htun et al. 2012).
For obtaining the perception about the mammals of BWS, we used two
models (Model 5 and Model 6) containing socio-economic variables and knowledge
of wildlife. Odds ratios of significant
variables were checked to facilitate Model interpretation. Odds ratios greater than 1 indicated increase
in the likelihood of the occurrence of the event, and odds ratios less than 1
as decrease in the likelihood of the occurrence of the event (Tabachnick & Fidell 2013).
ResultS
Perception towards BWS
More than
half of the respondents (66.5%) had positive perception with the establishment
of the sanctuary. In Model 1, where we
tested to run socio-economic factors, the Model was found statistically
significant (χ2=20.01; p=0.001) and correctly classified
79.1% cases (respondents) who believe that the establishment of sanctuary
provided legal land for settlement and cultivation around the sanctuary (Table
4). These respondents were likely to
have positive perception. Respondents
suffering crop loss due to the mammals, however, were associated with a
reduction in the likelihood of exhibiting positive perceptions. In Model 2, we
incorporated people’s knowledge about the sanctuary and forest management,
along with Model 1. This Model is
significant (χ2=60.20; p=0.000) and correctly classified 83.4%
respondents to bear positive perception towards establishment of the
sanctuary. In Model 2, the
social-economic variable settlement/cultivation was positively correlated and
significant (Table 4). Likewise, Model 2
also showed that people who were aware about the protection of the sanctuary
and forest officials’ monitoring were approximately 8 times and 2.5 times more
likely to have positive perception than those who did not. Loss by animals, however, was not significant
in this Model.
Only 47.04%
respondents had negative perception towards the establishment of the BWS. When socio-economic variables were entered in
Model 3, the model was significant (χ2 =35.56; p=0.000) and
classified 63.8% cases of negative perception (Table 4). The Model shows that people with ‘less
income’ have approximately 17% more chance to have negative perceptions. With
increasing crop loss from mammals, increase was the likelihood of negative
perception. When the variables—knowledge
of the sanctuary and forest management—were added, Model 4 was significant (χ2
=35.56; p=0.000) and classified 68.9% respondents with negative perception
(Table 4). Thus, according to this
model, people with ‘less income’ have approximately 19.4% more chance to
exhibit negative perceptions, which is more than Model 3. Again, crop loss caused by mammals was
positively correlated to negative perception. People with knowledge of the
protected area were more likely to answer that its establishment had not brought
any negative impact, but other knowledge variables including forest management
were insignificant for the model. Both
Models 3 and 4 showed that people having ‘bad accessibility to main road’ had
42.5% and 34% more chance of increasing likelihood of negative perception. Respondents were more or less satisfied with
performance of forest officials.
Further, respondents did agree that officials promote conservation,
check illegal activity, frequently monitor the sanctuary, and help the locals.
Perception for wildlife of BWS
About
two-third (66%) of the respondents had positive perception with respect to
co-existence of human and wildlife in the sanctuary. When socio-economic factors and knowledge of
wildlife were run in the model, the model was found statistically significant (χ2
=203.46; p=0.000) and classified 75.9% cases of positive perception. This model (Model 5) shows that people with
‘less income’ had 90% chance to have positive perception (Table 5). Also, perception of the respondents having
knowledge about the wildlife protection laws and knowledge about the beneficial
role of wild animals were positively correlated and significant. Thus,
increasing knowledge was associated with increase in the likelihood of showing
positive perceptions.
Only 38.67%
respondents considered that wildlife is not beneficial. Model 6 was run with socio-economic factors
and knowledge of the wildlife, and was statistically significant (χ2=88.72;
p=0.000), classifying 75.02% cases (Table 5).
It thus represented that increasing loss by animals were more likely to
increase the negative perception, while other variables like income and
knowledge of wildlife was not significant, i.e., the loss of crop due to wild
animals was the solo variable which determined the negative perception.
Tourism
From Models 3
and 5, it is evident that income status has significant influence on the
positive and negative perceptions towards BWS and its wildlife. All respondents belong to economically
backward class, with average monthly income ranging from 3736±877.01 (INR) to
6315±1720.49 (INR) (Mean±SD). Therefore, increasing
revenue may eventually increase their socio-economic wellbeing, which in turn
may help in reversing their negative perception. One of the common approaches is tourism. In order to find the perception towards
tourism, we set a questionnaire in context to tourism (Table 6). Respondents were asked if they were aware of
tourism, and it was found that the majority of the respondents (New Malidhar (82.22%), Lakhicherra
(75.75%), Isacherra (50%), and Daralcherra
(60.6%)) were aware of it. More than 60%
of the respondents of the villages (like Indranagar, Telacherra, Marwacherra and Bandarkhal), however, were unaware of it. For respondents who were unaware, a thorough
discussion was conducted about tourism.
Then, in subsequent questionnaire session, it was found that the
majority of the respondents from Indranagar (56.25%),
Daralcherra (68.57%), and New Malidhar
(55.55%) villages would be happy if tourism is promoted, while in case of other
villages, majority (>40%) were neutral regarding the same. Respondents from Indranagar
(56.25%), Lakhicherra (60.6%), and Daralcherra (57.14%) believed that tourism would eventually
increase their source of income while more than 45% of the respondents of other
three villages had a neutral response.
Further, majority of the respondents from Indranagar
(75%), Telacherra (59.52%), Marwacherra
(56.41%), Bandarkhal (56%), and New Malidhar (64.44%) believe that tourism would cause no harm
to their cultural taboos, while more than 54.54% respondents of the other two
villages were neutral.
Discussion
Majority of
the inhabitants living around the vicinity of the BWS came to this part of
Assam from neighbouring hills of Meghalaya, Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao for settlement,
and their primary source of their livelihood is agriculture. After the declaration of wildlife sanctuary
(in 2004) many areas have been restored as protected areas. Consequently, there has been shrinkage of the
lands for agriculture due to restriction of the fringe areas of the
sanctuary. These settlements with the
tribal-dominated population had been converted into revenue village under the
provisions of the Schedule Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Thus, these local communities have positive attitudes towards the
sanctuary as such they were benefitted with land for permanent settlement and
cultivation, especially ‘jhum’ (slash & burn) cultivation. People are also of the opinion that some part
of the sanctuary should be protected as it conserves resource and reduces
hunting of wildlife in this part. Such
resolution for settlement does not reduce their problems of living completely,
as socio-economic condition of these people is poor. The land allocated to them for settlements
and farming is not sufficient. Besides, poor road communication has deprived
them from basic requirements. This is
the reason why many respondents had negative perceptions, and were of the
opinion that state or central government should spend money for the welfare of
the people rather than investing on animals and the forest. Further, the respondents had very less choice
of livelihood since the sanctuary provides no other opportunities, and in turn
increases their dependence on the sanctuary.
Therefore, many respondents condemned the decision to not allow the
collection of forest products, and respondents are not in full agreement with
the spirit of conservation.
In our
hypothesis, we assumed that socio-economic factors, knowledge of the sanctuary
and knowledge of forest management have large influence and our logistic model,
showed the significance of these variables in influencing the perception
towards the sanctuary. Similar finding
has also been observed in previous studies from other protected areas (Kideghesho et al. 2007; Karanth
& Nepal 2012; Htun et al. 2012; Dewu & Roskaft 2018). These results confirm that socio-economic
benefit may lead to positive attitudes towards the protected areas while
socio-economic problems may lead to negative attitudes. Our logistic model does show significant
influence of the income status, measured as monthly income, on their
perception; the same is quite low to fulfill their
basic requirements. In fact, one of the
persistence problems within the local is lacking of social-economic benefit and
this is very important in achieving positive attitude for protection of the
sanctuary (Oldekop et al. 2016).
In our Model
5, people around the sanctuary believe that wildlife is beneficial for the
forest, and they showed positive attitudes towards the wildlife (mammals) of
this sanctuary. Having the traditional
values of conservation ingrained in their ethos and belief, they believe in
co-existence of both human and wildlife, and understand their importance as
well. Further, they know about the
wildlife and forest laws. All these
factors influence their opinion that hunting is awful. Concurrently, losses caused due to some wild
animals have led to negative attitudes.
Their agricultural practice mainly includes jhum cultivation, crop
production like paddy, potato, tomato, cabbage, and some other vegetables.
Crops usually attract wild animals, especially primates like Rhesus Macaque,
and others like Wild Boar Sus scrofa. Villagers also have monoculture plantations
of Areca catechu. Species like Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus
usually nibble on fruits of Areca catechu thereby reducing
production. Arboreal animals, like
primates and squirrels, ‘damage’Piper betel,
and the locals believe that these animals spread a plant disease which dry the
plant leaf and vines entirely (locally called ‘Utram’—the
disease occurs as dark brownish spots in leaf which spreads to the entire
plant, ultimately killing the plant).
This plant disease, however, occurs due to high rainfall and humidity
(Akhter et al. 2013). All these give
rise to negative perceptions about wildlife.
In such a situation, some people are forced to get rid of these species,
and thus, do anything (including killing) just to reduce crop damage. Poachers
use such opportunities to kill animals and they also target animals other than
crop foragers. Thus, ‘problematic’
species cause unfavourable attitudes of people for other species as well. Some
mentions of the problematic species, in the villages are Wild Boar, Rhesus
Macaque, Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel, Indian Muntjac Muntiacus
muntjac, Jungle Cat Felis chaus, Large Indian Civet Viverra
zibetha, and Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica. In fact, the villagers are of the view that
these problematic species have increased in number, which may be due to
frequent encounters with these species as well as their conservation in the
sanctuary. We assume that both awareness
of wildlife law and losses by animals would influence the attitudes towards the
wildlife of the sanctuary, which is supported by our logistic Model 5 and Model
6 as well. Thus, our findings are in
complete agreement with other studies (Kideghesho et
al. 2007; Karanth & Kudalkar
2017; Dewu & Roskaft
2018), that losses by animals may eventually lead to more negative
perception. Such attitudes were more
common to the respondents with more variety of farming.
Tourism can
offer significant benefits to this sanctuary in the form of revenue to be used
for conservation and management.
Simultaneously, it provides benefits for the local communities (Goodwin
1996; Walpole & Goodwin 2001). In
the study area, the respondents showed almost unanimous support for tourism.
Regardless of their positive attitudes towards tourism, a few local people
believed that they would not benefit, as outsiders would take advantage. It is obvious to have such thoughts as people
of this area are inexperienced to tourism, however, it also draws our attention
to prepare a better plan before initiating this concept of tourism. The planning should support equitable
benefits for local as well. Engagement of unemployed youths of the fringe
villages in different activities like guiding tourist and researchers will
enhance community well-being. Such
participation in different field activities would eventually increase their
knowledge on fauna and flora present in the sanctuary. These would generate alternative livelihood
sources other than agricultural activities, and encourage local people to
conserve wild animals. Further, tourism
management should be done considering the sentiments of the local people. Overall, positive attitude may be
attributable to the early stage of development of tourism locally (Walpole
& Goodwin 2001).
The concept
of tourism can be further flourished with the introduction of ‘homestay’. In this, people offer food and lodging to the
tourist in exchange for money. The concept has been recently popularized in
many parts of India like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Assam, Kerala,
Uttarakhand and neighbouring Nepal; in the vicinity of protected areas. It eventually catches the attention of many
international tourists as they are fascinated with indigenous/ local lifestyle
of the host (Wang 2007; Bhalla et al. 2016).
Further, structural design of these small houses with vernacular and
tradition looks makes them attractive (Singh 1991; Bhalla et al. 2016). Thus, homestays can be an effective step to
provide alternative income opportunity for the villagers (Dutta 2012; Bhalla et
al. 2016)
So far as the
management is concerned, most of the forest officials perform their duties
sincerely. Lack of work force and proper
equipment, however, poses difficulties. Relations between forest villagers and
forest officials is very crucial for implementing any management strategy, as
negative relation often gives rise to disputes that may sometimes bring about
negative perceptions on wild animals.
Under the present scenario, forest officials maintain good relation with
local community people and often help them, this ensures good management.
Conclusion
The BWS forms
a basis of wildlife conservation in this entire northeastern
region of India. The people surrounding
the sanctuary had positive and negative perception towards the sanctuary as
well as its wildlife. Their perceptions
are significantly influenced by their socio-economic factors, knowledge of the
sanctuary, and forest management. Losses
by animals, income status and knowledge significantly influence their
perception towards mammals of this sanctuary.
In this context, if problems between the local community and the
sanctuary can be resolved or if management strategies are planned to provide
benefits to the locals, effective conservation can be done. Severe losses by animals may be mitigated to
minimal loss. Such strategies would
eventually stand with a hope to reverse the prevailing threats and premeditate
for threats in the future. Further, the findings may be used as a model for
formulating long-term and effective conservation strategies in other protected
areas with similar scenario.
Recommendation
Alternative
livelihood—As jhum cultivation is the
primary source of their livelihood which is done in the vicinity area of the
sanctuary, it may pose a threat to the entire fauna and flora. Therefore, if it is replaced by alternatives
like high yielding crop varieties, their income and social wellbeing may be
improved, and jhum (slash and burn) cultivation practice may be reduced. The locals may be provided with vocational,
technical and skill trainings.
Protection to
problematic species—Protection
needs to be focused for the ‘problematic’ species like Rhesus Macaque, Small
Indian Civet, Large Indian Civet, Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrels, Wild Boar
and Indian Muntjac as they are mostly targeted by the people. Negative
interactions with these foraging animals can be stopped if the sanctuary
management creates an area near the buffer zone of the sanctuary in which food
plants are grown. This may reduce crop
raiding and improve positive attitudes of the locals. Thus, the locals would
not facilitate poachers or hunters.
Employment of
local people—Inclusion of people belonging to
local community in jobs in the Department of Forest (of both central and state
governments) would serve several purposes.
For instance, it would improve their socio-economic status thereby
decreasing their dependence on BWS, develop a positive perception towards the
sanctuary, and importantly since these people are well aware of the area they
would be better managers and protectors of the sanctuary.
Encouraging
Tourism—Tourism should be encouraged, and
funds for small houses for home-stay should be allocated, so that unemployed
local people may get involved. This
would not only give an alternative source of income but also inculcate the
intent of conserving wildlife.
Facility to
forest officials—Proper facilities, including arms
and ammunitions, should be supplied to the forest officials and guards to
enable them to better monitor.
Awareness—Mass awareness campaigns must be conducted involving
locals, political leaders, media persons, NGOs and administration, and locals
especially school-going children and youths should be made aware of the
ecosystem services, wildlife laws, etc.
Table 1.
Respondent’s socio-economic status and knowledge towards protection and
management of the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary. [INR=Indian
Rupees]
Independent
variables |
Attributes |
Percent (n
= 287 individuals) |
Socio-economic |
||
Provide
settlement |
Positive |
66.9 |
Loss by
wildlife (Mammals) |
Positive |
53.3 |
Accessibility
to main road |
Good
(Located beside the main road) |
51.9 |
Bad (not
accessible directly by main road) |
48.1 |
|
Income |
Very less
(<2,700 INR) |
5.6 |
Less
(2,701–5,000 INR) |
53.3 |
|
Moderate
(> 5,000–12,000 INR) |
41.1 |
|
Knowledge
of the sanctuary |
||
Aware about
the protected area |
Positive |
57.5 |
Forest
extraction are not allowed |
Positive |
48.1 |
Knowledge
of forest management |
||
Aware about
forest official activity |
Positive |
83.6 |
Relation
with forest official |
Positive |
71.8 |
Table 2. Respondent’s knowledge towards the wildlife
(mammals)and its protection law in India.
[INR=Indian Rupees].
Independent variables |
Attributes |
Percent (n = 287 individuals) |
Socio-economic |
||
Loss by wildlife (Mammals) |
Positive |
53.3 |
Income |
Very less (<2,700 INR) |
5.6 |
Less (2,701–5,000 INR) |
53.3 |
|
Moderate (> 5,000–12,000 INR) |
41.1 |
|
Knowledge of wildlife |
||
Wildlife is beneficial for the forest |
Positive |
68.3 |
Wildlife is protected |
Positive |
80.5 |
Table 3. Respondent’s perception towards Barail Wildlife Sanctuary and its wildlife (Mammals).
Perceptions |
Percent
positive response (n = 287 individuals) |
Barail Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
Are you happy with establishment
of the sanctuary? |
79.1 |
Do you think that the sanctuary
does not offer any benefit? |
47.0 |
Wildlife of Barail
Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
Can humans and wildlife
co-exist? |
66.6 |
Do you think that wildlife is
not beneficial for the people? |
39.7 |
Table 4. Predicting odd ratios of people’s perceptions
(positive and negative) in Barail Wildlife Sanctuary.
[Reference
group in explanatory variable is not added.
*p<0.01; **p<0.05; ‘+’ reference group]
Variables |
Happy
with establishment of
the sanctuary [positive] |
The
sanctuary does not offer any benefit [negative] |
|||
|
Model
1 |
Model
2 |
Model
3 |
Model
4 |
|
Socio-economic |
|
|
|
|
|
Provide
settlement (Yes) |
3.026* |
2.013* |
0.802 |
0.857 |
|
Loss
by wildlife (Mammals) (Yes) |
0.512** |
0.782 |
2.688* |
2.198* |
|
Accessibility
to main road (Good) |
0.838 |
0.889 |
1.425* |
1.398* |
|
Income |
Very
less+ |
|
|
|
|
Less |
0.610 |
0.665 |
1.170** |
1.194** |
|
Moderate |
0.561 |
0.571 |
0.736 |
0.708 |
|
Knowledge
of the sanctuary |
|
|
|
|
|
Aware
about the protected area (Yes) |
|
8.030* |
|
0.454* |
|
Forest
extraction are not allowed (Yes) |
|
0.990 |
|
1.458 |
|
Knowledge
of forest management |
|
|
|
|
|
Aware
about forest official activity (yes) |
|
2.597** |
|
0.857 |
|
Relation
with forest official (Yes) |
|
0.839 |
|
1.184 |
|
Percent
correctly classified |
79.1 |
83.4 |
63.8 |
68.9 |
|
x2 |
20.001* |
60.208* |
35.561* |
46.459* |
Table 5. Predicting odd ratios of people’s perceptions
(positive and negative) for the mammals of Barail
Wildlife Sanctuary.
[Reference
group in explanatory variable is not added.
*p<0.01; **p<0.05; ‘+’ reference group]
Variables |
Human
and wildlife can co-exist
[positive] |
Wildlife
is not beneficial for the people [negative] |
|
|
Model
5 |
Model
6 |
|
Socio-economic |
|
|
|
Loss by
wildlife (Mammals) (yes) |
1.063 |
4.455* |
|
Income |
Very less+ |
|
|
Less |
0.013* |
1.513 |
|
Moderate |
0.490 |
2.217 |
|
Knowledge
of wildlife |
|
|
|
Wildlife is
protected area (yes) |
9.840* |
1.161 |
|
Wildlife is
beneficial for the forest
(yes) allowed |
6.298* |
0.450 |
|
Percent
correctly classified |
75.9 |
75.02 |
|
x2 |
203.46* |
88.72* |
Table 6. People’s perception on tourism in Barail Wildlife Sanctuary.
Statement |
Positive
response (in percentage) |
x2 |
p |
Cramer's
V |
|||||||
|
Site
1 |
Site
2 |
Site
3 |
Site
4 |
Site
5 |
Site
6 |
Site
7 |
Site
8 |
|
|
|
Heard
about tourism before |
35.4 |
30.9 |
38.4 |
32 |
75.7 |
50 |
25.7 |
82.2 |
8.04 |
0.04 |
0.116 |
Happy
if tourism is encouraged |
60.4 |
42.8 |
33.3 |
32 |
48.4 |
40 |
68.5 |
55.5 |
10.06 |
0.01 |
0.122 |
Tourism
will increase source of income |
56.2 |
30.9 |
41 |
32 |
60.6 |
45 |
57.1 |
35.5 |
13.51 |
0.00 |
0.14 |
Tourism
will not hamper the aesthetic values |
75 |
48 |
46.1 |
36 |
45.4 |
40 |
60 |
54.4 |
8.82 |
0.03 |
0.111 |
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