Status
of leopard-man conflict in Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal
- Devendra Singh Chauhan, Technical Assistant
Abstract
Project
was initiated to understand the status of leopard-man conflicts in Pauri Garhwal
(PG) District of Uttaranchal, as frequent conflicts have been reported from this
area. Aims of the project were to collect information on (i) current status,
distribution and relative abundance in relation to habitat characteristics
(terrain and vegetation), (ii) food habits in relation to prey abundance (wild
and domestic) and (iii) to prepare long-term research project to study behaviour
and ecology of leopard in order to suggest measures to reduce leopard-man
conflicts.
Of
the two divisions (Pauri and Lansdowne), the status of leopard-man conflicts in
Pauri was presented during last Annual Research Seminar. We surveyed nine
administrative blocks in Lansdowne division (Bironkhal, Dugadda, Dwarikhal,
Ekeshwar, Jaiharikhal, Nainidanda, Pokhra, Rikhnikhal and Yamkeshwar) and used
existing available information with the Forest Department. Leopard-man conflicts
have been reported from all administrative blocks. 538 incidents of conflicts
have been reported from this region since 1990, of which 88.9% and 11.1% cases
were of livestock and human respectively. There is an increasing trend in
leopard predation on humans in this division since 1990. Leopards have killed 62
human during 1990 to August 2001, whereas 40 leopards were killed after they
were declared as man-eater. These leopards were killed by irate villagers or
found dead under suspicious circumstances. 24.2% and 31.6% human deaths due to
leopard have been reported from Dugadda and Dwarikhal respectively. Forty-one
percent deaths of leopard have been reported from Dugadda block where as
remaining 59% were in other eight blocks. Interestingly,
67.7% human causality and 53.6% leopard deaths
have occurred only during
last three years (1997-2000). Data reveals that there are more female (59.6%)
victims then male (40.4%), in all age categories. Among the victims, 77.4% were
children below 15 years. Eighty four percent of 19 cases recorded during survey,
have happened in absence of any accompanying adult male. Leopard attacks (n=40)
are relatively higher during evening time (57.5%) from 4-8 p.m. where as only
12.5% cases were reported between 5-9 a.m. Leopard predation on human vary
across the seasons, as 40.3% and 43.5% cases were during rainy and winter season
respectively.
Vegetation
was quantified on seven incidents (human) at every 100 m on a transect of 500m.
Density of shrub (no/ha) was relatively higher
(3821.65± 338.76) close to
incident place (ca.100m) then at 500m (2620.56±308.82). Based on severity of
leopard-man conflicts (human and livestock incidents), study area has been
classified into three categories of conflict zones viz. low, medium and high.
Broad vegetation map has also been prepared and conflict areas were
examined with respect to different habitat types and work is in progress.
Distribution
map for leopard in Pauri Garhwal district was prepared based on indirect
evidences such as scats, as observing tracks in hilly terrain is difficult.
During two years survey work in PG, 235 scats were collected along with GPS
location for estimating food habits and distribution of leopard. We standardized
the techniques for studying predator-prey relationship. Fifteen ‘Line
Transect’ were used for determining the distribution and abundance of
ungulates, primates and pheasants. In areas wherever it was not possible to use
line transect, forest trails were used. Encounter rate of barking deer was
0.025/km walk. Track plots were also used to get indirect evidences by recording
tracks of these species and leopard pugmark. Average
tracks of barking deer was 0.65/plot. Pellet group on transects were also
counted along 1m on both side and encounter rate of barking deer pellet group
was 0.375/km walk.
Based
on these, higher efforts are needed for estimating relative abundance based on
direct sighting. Therefore we concluded that indirect evidences (tracks/faecal
matter) would be ideal for recording relative abundance of these species. As the
survey work is over therefore, there is a need to understand differences in
ranging patterns and reproductive biology of leopards in these three conflict
zones. Thus, a phase-II project proposal has been submitted to ascertain the
ecological reasoning of such conflicts and suggest mitigatory measures.
| Project Title | A study on distribution,
relative abundance and food habits of leopard (Panthera pardus) in
Garhwal Himalayas. |
| PIs & Co-PIs | Dr. S.P. Goyal |
| Researchers: | Devendra Singh Chauhan, TA |
| Funding Agency: | WII Grant-in-aid project. |
| Date of Initiation & Completion | 18.12.99 to 31.12.2001 |