Impact of Insurgency (Arm-Maoist) on Wildlife Conservation

Impact of Insurgency (Arm-Maoist) on Wildlife Conservation: A case study from Royal Bardia National Park.

The study entitled “Impact of Insurgency on Wildlife Conservation” was conducted in Karnali Flood plain area of Royal Bardia National Park, Lowland, Nepal. The objectives of the study were to find out the status of Spotted Deer, Blue Bull and Royal Bengal Tiger and poaching status of rhino along with the worth of infrastructure damage during insurgency period in RBNP. Extensive Vehicle and elephant line transect count was done to estimate the density of Spotted Deer and Blue Bull where as pug mark survey was conducted for Tiger. Direct observation of destroyed infrastructures and RBNP office record was used to find its worth. Social data were collected through key informants survey and focus group discussion. Density and Encounter rate of spotted deer was analyzed using Software DISTANCE 5.0 by selecting appropriate model and relevant map were prepared using Arc View extension ANIMAL MOVEMENT ANALYST 1.0. The obtained result was compared with previous studies and social data were analyzed using Ms Excel’ 2003. Secondary data were mainly collected from RBNP office, and other relevant published and unpublished documents. Density and Encounter rate of spotted deer was 58.26±19.20 and 5.32±0.75 respectively, 8±2 blue bull and 5 adult tiger with 2 cubs were recorded. Poaching through poisoning and snaring and human pressure inside the park was the identified as major cause of decline in spotted deer population. Decline in tiger prey was identified as major cause of declining. High poaching, tiger predation and habitat deterioration was major cause for declining population of blue bull. Apart from this destruction and merging of guard post due to threat from rebels, limited mobility of park staff was also the major cause of declining population of wildlife. Worth of 14.6 million of infrastructures were damaged and looted by the rebels. Population of Rhino was found critical in condition in Babai Valley of RBNP so immediate census of Rhino should be done in whole area of RBNP. Unified patrolling involving community people, nature guide and park staffs should be made more effective, abandoned guard post should be re-established, I/NGOs’ should focus their program in buffer zone villages beyond Karnali River and rebels should stop destroying infrastructure inside and outside the park.