2001 Volume 4 Issue 1 Pages 1-11
Human-wildlife conflicts are escalating in Talala sub-district because of changing cropping pattern on the periphery of Gir National Park and Sanctuary (GNPS), Gujarat, India. Changes in agricultural practices and in human-wildlife conflicts in Talala were investigated. Sugarcane cultivation has increased by 87% and mango cultivation by 103% during the years from 1992 to 1999. Incidences of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) and leopards (P. pardus) straying into agricultural land have increased by 55% and 46% respectively from 1997 to 1999. Significant correlations were found between the increases in sugarcane and mango cultivation and the number of straying lions (r = +0.827, df = 2) and leopards (r = +0.981, df = 2). Furthermore during the years 1992 to 1998 out of 11 lions rescued, eight (72%) were from farmland and out of 32 leopards rescued, ten (31%) were from farmland. Ten lions (91%) and five leopards (41%) were found dead in farmland from 1994 to 1999. The straying of big cats from the GNPS to adjacent farmland has also led to increased encounters with humans. Out of a total of 13 attacks on people by lions, ten were reported from areas of sugarcane and mango cultivation. Of the total 25 leopard attacks, 59% (including four deaths resulting from the attacks) were recorded from farmland. Livestock deaths caused by big cats straying into farmland have increased by 150% within two years (1998 and 1999).
