Local perception about primate conflict in Mandal valley,Uttarakhand
Background
Villages in Himalayan mountain are largely poor because of low agricultural production and low connectivity with markets resulting in low employment. Another contributing factor is the damage to subsistence crops by wildlife, with whom they share the habitat. To understand these factors in detail, I have carried out a questionnaire survey in these villages. I addressed specific question with relation to my study species Central Himalayan Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus) to understand the conflict between human and non-human primates.
Key findings
Villages in Himalayan mountain are largely poor because of low agricultural production and low connectivity with markets resulting in low employment. Another contributing factor is the damage to subsistence crops by wildlife, with whom they share the habitat. To understand these factors in detail, I have carried out a questionnaire survey in these villages. I addressed specific question with relation to my study species Central Himalayan Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus) to understand the conflict between human and non-human primates.
Key findings
- Crop damage by langurs and other wildlife was seen as a major cause of low yield and an economic burden in this region.
- The people’s perception of langurs was complex. While first responses were largely negative, regarding langurs as agricultural pests, being evil according to cultural beliefs, or that crop raiders should be killed, the majority were still sympathetic to their existence and thought that it was the responsibility of humans to protect them.
- Planting of fodder trees around terraced fields and over-exploitation of the surrounding forest for subsistence activities was perceived by people as having led to an increase in crop raiding by langurs and other wildlife in the recent past.
- This study shows that crop raiding by langurs is due to over exploitation of Oak for fodder and fuel. Oak is very important trees for Himalayan ecosystem, Himalayan community and also for all wildlife. Langurs depends on Oak because it is important food source in winter and they prefer Oak trees as sleeping trees.
Outreach activities in elementary school in Siroli Village, Mandal valley
Background
My studies on Socioeconomic status showed that Siroli Village (one of the village in Mandal Valley) have maximum number of people in below poverty line and have no source of stable income. Siroli village is blessed with nature with lots of fauna in surrounding forest . It can be utilised as that stable income source if kids can be trained from elementary level to appreciate the wildlife surrounding them. If they able understand value of natural resources and wildlife they are surrounded by, they can be trained and educated as good nature guide in near future. With these motivation, I started nature education in small government school in Siroli Village to make them aware about future opportunities in and around their home itself .
Activities
My studies on Socioeconomic status showed that Siroli Village (one of the village in Mandal Valley) have maximum number of people in below poverty line and have no source of stable income. Siroli village is blessed with nature with lots of fauna in surrounding forest . It can be utilised as that stable income source if kids can be trained from elementary level to appreciate the wildlife surrounding them. If they able understand value of natural resources and wildlife they are surrounded by, they can be trained and educated as good nature guide in near future. With these motivation, I started nature education in small government school in Siroli Village to make them aware about future opportunities in and around their home itself .
Activities
- I started with explaining them about langur social structure in the form of photographic story . They were very surprised to know that they are so similar to us.
- I have also arranged painting competition for them to draw animal they like the most. Kids were very eager to learn more about wildlife .
- I also took them for bird watching and they were able to identify 8 common birds just in 2 hours. I was so surprised to see that. I still remember my first learning sessions during my undergraduate, it took me some time to identify common birds.
- I found that kids are the best to approach to teach about nature as they are in the developing phase and able to learn quickly. Another importance to educate kids is that they are the future decision makers, if foundation is strong definitely building will not fall.
- I want to continue these activities in more advance level like showing them various documentaries about nature on regular basis and explaining them about it. I am going to organize various outdoor activities for kids like nature walks, birdwatching trails,storytelling etc.
