Research Article: Karanth, K. K., Curran, L. M., & Reuning-Scherer, J. D. (2006). Village size and forest disturbance in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, Western Ghats, India. Biological conservation, 128(2), 147-157.

Blog Author: Shreya Ray

Key Highlights

  •  Protected areas are the only refuge  for some of India’s most threatened wildlife , which account for just 5% of the entire land area. Remarkably, these areas also sustain approximately 4.5 million people residing in their proximity.
  • The study explored how humans impact wildlife of Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary by looking  at the disturbance caused by various activities like wildlife harvesting, grazing, and resource collection.
  • Researchers used 10 specific ecological indicators  such as fire intensity, lopped trees, human trails, cut stems, cut bamboo specific to this region which helped get a detailed view of how human actions affect the village areas ecologically.
  • The study was conducted in and around Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary (492 km2) covering six villages and 180 sampling locations 
  • Apart from ecological aspects, the study looked at village socioeconomics. It revealed the complex links between livelihoods, wildlife issues, and lacking amenities like electricity and healthcare.
  • Authors found that human activities directly affected an average of 23.7 km² of the surrounding forest, directly impacting 8–10% of the protected area by activities such as the extraction of fuelwood and non-timber forest products.
  • The findings highlighted that smaller villages caused less disturbance compared to larger ones. Additionally, areas accessible to multiple villages showed higher human disturbance. Accurate estimates of human ecological impacts on wildlife are needed to improve the efficiency of park management efforts to initiate ecosystem recovery.

 

Protected areas serve as a lifeline for some of India’s most threatened wildlife, covering only 5% of the total land area. However, they also support nearly 4.5 million people living in their vicinity and surrounded by densely populated cities and facing threats from human activities. Despite conservation concerns, ethical dilemmas arise regarding people’s rights to forest lands where they’ve lived for generations. These lands are crucial for their livelihoods, including livestock grazing, agriculture, hunting, fishing, and gathering timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products (NTFPs). While these resources are vital for many vulnerable communities, their exploitation leads to depletion and habitat loss for threatened wildlife. Balancing conservation efforts with people’s rights to forest resources is an ongoing challenge for India’s conservation community, necessitating an understanding of the relationship between people and forests.

To comprehend the impact of human presence in and around protected areas, the authors conducted a study in India’s Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), nestled in the Western Ghats, renowned for its diverse flora and fauna. The study shed light on the intricate relationship between village communities and the sanctuary, offering insights into the human impact on the habitat. The authors conducted social and transect surveys around  6 villages, collecting data on 10 regionally specific ecological indicators including: Fire intensity, Cut stems, Cut Bamboo, Tree notches, Exposed soil, Exotic weeds, Human trails, Understory cover, Bamboo regeneration and Lopped trees. The researchers recorded the occurrence of habitat disturbance variables in 30 transects with 180 sampling locations, revealing the extent of human impact on the sanctuary’s ecological integrity.

One intriguing aspect of the study was the use of principal component analysis (PCA) to derive a comprehensive disturbance intensity index. This innovative approach enabled researchers to gauge the ecological impact of human activities and determine the spatial distribution of these impacts. The findings highlighted that smaller villages caused less disturbance compared to larger ones. Additionally, areas accessible to multiple villages showed higher human disturbance. The extraction of fuelwood and non-timber forest products, like honey and bamboo, significantly affected the forest. Extensive grazing negatively impacted food resources available to wild ungulates, implying a potential threat to the survival of many wild herbivores.

The study’s results painted a vivid picture of the challenges faced by both wildlife and local communities within the sanctuary. It estimated that an average of 23.7 km² of the surrounding forest had been altered by human activities, directly impacting 8–10% of the protected area. These findings underscore the urgent need to address the coexistence of human settlements and wildlife habitats in the region. Beyond ecological assessments, the study delved into the socio-economic dynamics of the villages, revealing the complex interplay between livelihood activities, conflicts with wildlife, and the lack of basic amenities such as electricity and healthcare facilities. The challenges faced by villagers, including crop raiding, property loss, and limited infrastructure, emphasize the necessity for a holistic conservation approach that considers the well-being of both people and wildlife.

This research contributes to a growing body of knowledge on the intricate relationship between human communities and protected areas. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the socio-economic needs of local inhabitants while striving to conserve the rich biodiversity of the BWS. The story ends on a good note for the wildlife and villagers in BWS as 11 out of 13 villages moved out of the forest concurrently during the study as part of the voluntary village relocation program.  The results from the ecological and social surveys guided park officials to focus on the specifics of recovery and regeneration efforts on a ca. 46 km2 area around the relocated villages. sustainable conservation efforts must, thus harmonize with the empowerment and well-being of local communities. 

 

You can access the original article here. 

Keywords: Forest use, Households, Land cover, Park management, Protected area, India