A new research paper by Ram K. Shrestha and Janaki R. R. Alavalapati of University of Florida analyses the factors influencing local people’s attitudes towards conservation of the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR).

The results indicate that households living closer to the KTWR are more likely to reveal negative attitude towards conservation. Similarly, respondents from larger households tend to show negative conservation attitude. Educated respondents and farmers are likely to demonstrate a positive conservation attitude. The results consistently show that households with poor socioeconomic status and greater dependence on the KTWR for firewood, fodder, and raw materials are likely to possess a more negative attitude towards conservation. Poor households may not necessarily be less concerned about conservation, although institutional settings and abject poverty near protected areas appear to affect their attitudes.

Sustainable management of protected areas and local support for natural resource conservation would require socioeconomic development.

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Ram K. Shrestha, Janaki R. R. Alavalapati, Linking Conservation and Development: An Analysis of Local People’s Attitude Towards Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal, Environment, Development and Sustainability, Volume 8, Issue 1, Feb 2006, Pages 69 - 84