Local Residents Perception of Benefits and Losses From Protected Areas in India and Nepal |
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Authors: | Krithi K Karanth |
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Institution: | (1) Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA;(2) Centre for Wildlife Studies, 224, Garden Apartments, Rajniganda Block,Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru, 560 001, India;(3) National Centre for Biological Sciences, GKVK Bellary Road, Bengaluru, 560065, India;(4) Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;(5) Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada |
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Abstract: | High densities of people living around protected areas (PAs) in South Asia require management strategies to balance conservation
goals and livelihood needs. Based on a survey of 777 households around five PAs in India and Nepal, this paper provides a
comparative perspective of Indian and Nepali households’ views of protected area benefits and costs, their attitude toward
conservation in general, and attitude toward protected area staff. Results indicate mixed responses towards tourism, varying
from very favorable in Nepal to less favorable in India. The majority (81%) held positive attitudes towards the existence
and importance of PAs but had negative perceptions of PA staff (69%). Most residents perceived benefits from access to fuel
wood, fodder and other PA resources including benefits from tourism, while crop and livestock losses from wildlife were the
main costs. Households overall positive attitudes towards the PAs and conservation despite high losses from living around
PAs suggests that local residents may support conservation if their livelihood needs are met. Comparisons of household attitudes
and perceptions suggest that locally based strategies rather than top-down approaches are likely to be more effective. Extending
PA benefits to smaller landholders, households that are highly resource-dependent or experiencing higher income losses from
human-wildlife conflicts, and less educated residents are particularly important to balance costs and losses from living around
protected areas. |
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