Assessment of Crop Damage by Wild Ungulates in the Eastern side of Barandabhar Corridor Forest, Chitwan

Present study was conducted during July 2002 to May 2003 in Barandabhar Corridor Forest (about 87.9km²) of the southern central part of Nepal in order to assess crop damage by six ungulate species -Chital (Axis axis), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis, & Wild Elephant (Elephas maximus). We divided the study site into three zones (Zone II & III inside the buffer zone and Zone I outside), which included Khorsor, Parsa, Tikauli and New Padampur within the distance of 300m from the forest boundary. Interviewing with local people and visiting the field explored the extent of damage of mustard, lentil, maize, and vegetables. Net Area Damage method estimated the damage of rice wheat. Altogether 553 households (292 from zone 1, 103 from zone II & 158 from zone III) were taken for the assessment of crop damage by ungulates. Crop preference of ungulcites varied with different growing stages and the loss varied with the distance from the forest. A heavy economic loss of Rs. 645403 (Rs.1167.09/householc was estimated due to the crop damage by wild ungulates for 2002-2003. Of the total damage area, rhinoceros caused 70. 7% damage and the lowest (0.16%) was by barking deer. The highest damage (48.8%) occurred in zone II followed by 30.5% in zone III and 20.7% in zone I. Lack of guarding and poor fencing and trenching were the. main reasons for crop damage in all the zones. Machan with Mukka and trenches was the most effective traditional means of guarding. These findings suggest that the crop damage is a serious issue that has developed some negative attitudes towards wildlife protection.