A.K. Thakur, D.K. Yadav and M.K. Jhariya*
Department of Farm Forestry, Sarguja University, Ambikapur-497001 (C.G.), INDIA
Email: manu9589@gmail.com
Received-18.11.2015, Revised-28.11.2015
Abstract: The present work was carried out in elephant corridors of northern Chhattisgarh (Sarguja, Balrampur, Jasphur, Surajpur and Koriya districts) to understand the scenario of human-elephant conflict (HEC). Four blocks were selected for the study. The field study was conducted in the affected villages/forest areas where migrated elephants were encountered. Incidents relating to conflict such as crop damage, house damage, human death and injury, elephant death, cause of all such conflicts were observed. Local people of the affected villages/forest areas including victims of conflict were interviewed through well structured questionnaires to understand movement pattern of elephant in the area, the way people were affected, their attitudes towards elephant and different aspects of conflicts. A total of 40 households (10 from each block) viz, Lundra, Batuoli, Sitapur and Farsabahar were randomly selected. Damage caused by elephants was of varying extent due to which people have developed antagonistic attitude towards the elephant which adversely affect protection and conservation efforts in the affected areas.
Keywords: HEC, Elephant corridor, Conflicts, Questionnaire, Crop damage
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