Status of snow leopard and conflict perception in Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, eastern Nepal
Abstract
Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) is situated in the Taplejung district at the north-eastern region of Nepal. Livestock keeping is the main activity of people for making a living amidst a conflict with snow leopard (Uncia uncia). Each year snow leopard kills a number of livestock resulting in significant economic losses for the poor people living in this remote area. Unless the people - snow leopard conflicts are well understood and appropriate conflict management activities are implemented, the long run co-existence between people and snow leopard -• especially the existence of snow leopard in this part of the world will be in question. This has now become an utmost important as the aspiration of the people for economic development has risen significantly and the area has been open to tourism. The study was done by counting snow leopard signs walking systematically in total 18 snow leopard sign transects covering 18.01 km in length in three sites, i.e. Lonak, Khambachen and Dudhpokhari of the Conservation Area. The average sign density was 12.63/km. The livestock depredation by snow leopard for one year (2005-06) was studied by interviewing the herders to understand the responsible and specific biophysical and economic factors. The study revealed that sub-adult yaks were mostly hunted by a snow leopard. Cattle's' winter (December-April) pastures are most vulnerable sites for predation. Presence of bushes, forest and boulders and rugged mountain crevices make good hides for snow leopard. The study also showed that a lax animal guarding system was significantly responsible for high livestock depredation by a snow leopard. Blue sheep was observed by walking in selected trails and from vantage points. A total of 354 individual sheep of different age and sex of 14 different herds were recorded during the study period. The study showed that improvement in livestock guarding system should be adopted as the most important activity. However, despite the importance of livestock in the KCA
it is still not well understood why herders neglect for proper livestock guarding. The proper guarding system required in winter pastures to reduce the depredation pressure.
References
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