Agricultural loss due to wildlife: a case study on elephant depredation in a protected area of South India

Crop raiding by wildlife is an important form of human–wildlife conflict and has been reported from several protected areas of India. With the growing concerns of forest fragmentation, habitat destruction and expansion of agriculture, the extent of this problem is also getting amplified. The current research is a case study of this issue in Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary (MM Hills) of Western Ghats in South India, with a special emphasis on elephant depredation. The objective of the study is to understand the types of human–wildlife conflict in selected villages. The study also attempted to assess the direct economic loss due to elephant depredation of crops. Primary data have been collected through household questionnaire survey and focus group discussions in two affected villages (Pacchedoddi located inside MM Hills and Kanchalli located on the fringes of MM Hills). Discussions were also undertaken with the staff of the forest administration. It was revealed that apart from elephants, different types of crops were damaged by boars, rodents and squirrels. Crop raiding by elephants had increased; mainly due to the construction of a dam in MM Hills that acted as a source of water and attracted elephants. Additionally, the availability of water also enabled the villagers to cultivate economically profitable crops, which were also preferred by elephants as they are more palatable leading to increase in elephant raids. The intensity of such raiding was more in Pacchedoddi than Kanchalli. The control measures applied were not fully effective. As a whole, it was found that agriculture was the main reason of human–elephant conflicts in MM Hills and crop loss severely affected the rural people of MM Hills. This formidable conservation issue in the area represents an important ecosystem disservice. It is suggested that this problem should be addressed with a synchronized approach for both conservation and agricultural livelihood with proper compensation schemes and alternate crop choices through government initiatives.