Human-Tiger (Panthera tigris) Conflict: Status and Trends in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

This study explores an understanding of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) focused on tiger, particularly the status and trend of human-tiger conflict (HTC), in three major areas of Chitwan National Park (CNP); Ayodhyapuri, Patihani and Meghauli VDCs. A set of questionnaire survey was conducted in 98 households during month of June- July, 2017. It covers 38 surveys in Ayodhyapuri, 30 in Patihani and 30 in Meghauli. Additionally, key informant interviews were conducted. Also, the official records of CNP, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) were referred. Records from 2003 to 2015 at CNP shows that highest HTC was recorded in the year 2003-2004 (235 cases), out of which human casualties were 22 (4 injured and 18 killed). The trend has declined thereafter with the lowest conflict recorded in the year 2013-2014 (17 cases), out of which human casualties were 6 (4 injured and 2 killed). A significantly higher human-tiger interaction was recorded in Ayodhypuri compared to other two study sites (χ2 = 7.88; d.f. = 2; p = 0.02). However, a contradictory trend was obtained based on our survey owing to the long compensation procedure (51.02%), less compensation (30.61%) and weak information flow (18.36%). Conservation education, awareness programs along with adequate and prompt compensation against damages coupled with regular/timely monitoring of tigers may help to reduce human-tiger conflicts. In addition, a future perspective is drawn based on the impacts of anthropogenic interferences on wildlife and riverine ecosystems of these sensitive conservation and protected areas of the lower reaches.