Human wildlife conflict is an issue addressed in many of the important environmental related meetings. Ecocentrics, environmentalist and foresters are highly concerned about the issues and its impacts. According to my perception, human wildlife conflict is the conflict highly catalyzed by human activities and responded negatively by wildlife on crops, livestock and human. Before addressing on the strategies of overcoming the challenge, I will stimulate few points on the cause of the conflict.
1. Over expansion of Human population: The increase in population is one of the cause of the conflict. The increase in number challenge the resources of the environment. The pressure on food, shelter and resources increases which is the ultimate problem. Moreover, the extraction of Non Wood Forest Products (NWFP) increases as the country highly prioritize on agriculture products. The NWFP's products like mushrooms, bamboo products, fiber, flosses, canes and etc. are economically prioritize in the parts of the country. Bhutan, though has seen in reduction of population due to family planning awareness and eduction yet has maximum population in the economically active age between 15-50 years. Further more, 70% of Bhutanese population live on rural areas and by this Bhutan is a agrarian country. Therefore, the increase in population is a direct cause of Human wildlife conflict.
2. Developmental Activities: Development is another cause of the human wildlife conflict. It was the start of fiver year plans and implementation in 1960s that has challenged the habitat and ecosystem. The construction of roads, electrification though has many positive impact on livelihood yet is a cause of conflict. The wildlife became accessible to different regions, places and areas causing destruction on crops, livestock and animal. Development in Bhutan will continue till the country produces all its needs and satisfy its wants. Until then the conflict between human and animals will continue to take place.
3. Global Climate Change: Climate change is a global concern highlighted in every discussion. The change in climate is characterized by many factors like waste, forest fires, combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation and etc. Such activities whether caused by human or not has changed the temperature of the places which ultimately make the species or animals to move from the respective places to different region. locomotion of animals from the respective site to different areas create a strong competition putting lots of pressure on available resources. when the resources is exhausted then the conflict arises like destruction of crops by wildlife and predation of domestic animals by wild animals.
Bhutan is challenged by wildlife to human livelihood due to above activities. Even-then, the government with the blessing of farsighted kings have worked out many ways to overcome the challenges.The simple peasant were helped with fencing of crops from wildlife protecting the crops. Solar fencing have benefited many farmers from wild animals in guarding their crops. Moreover, Human wildlife endowment plan is introduced in many gewogs to help farmers who are victim of wild animals.
But, Are this enough? is a question that need to be asked and looked at. Development in Bhutan will take place, climate change is taking place and population is ascending as a result Human wildlife conflict will arise. For that reason the time has ripe for all people to think and act as one to combat the issue. Every individual have to know all their fundamental duties beside their fundamental rights. People know how to fight and cherish their rights yet forget their important fundamental duties.
Though there are many ways by which we can negotiate and minimize the conflict, below are the few comment highlighted by a simple and low qualified man myself. My comprehension of different topics and points is hoped a day to be highly taken in by every citizen.
1. Create good awareness on climate change: The concept of climate change is highly considered epitome by the people who are into climate change. Many educated people are of concern of the repercussion of climate change and also there are many who neglect it. Creating good awareness on climate change to every people is a likely change to minimize human wildlife conflict as it can minimize climate change and its related impacts.
2. Proper Developmental Activities: The policies of the government though is strong has to be scrutinize properly. The developmental plans has to be highly considered epitome at the start, example; road construction and widening. The construction of road itself is a cause of human wildlife conflict in many areas as it clean the pathway of wild travel to human settlement. The reconstruction and widening after many years back destroy the stabilized plants, trees and other ecosystem which ultimately is the indirect cause of climate change.
3. Do not over harness the luxury of environment: I often wonder if the development in country is making people more and more dependent on environment. We say people are developed but we see more NWFP products in market, we are conquering all the luxury of environment which otherwise is the food of wild ecosystem. The hunger of man to economic wants and fantasy of becoming rich is compromising the present need of wildlife. Such action lead to negative response from wildlife as they hampers the comfort of human settlement.
Therefore, I hope that all responsible citizens of the country will join hand in overcoming human wildlife conflict. The conflict which is the result of climate change, expansion of human activities and other developmental activities. Labels: Forestry