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<p>Human–wildlife conflict poses significant challenges to both wildlife conservation and rural livelihoods, particularly where agricultural lands border forest habitats. This study assessed the extent, patterns, and socioeconomic impacts of crop damage by the Asiatic black bear (<i>Ursus thibetanus</i>) in Kupwara, Kashmir, Northwestern Himalayas. Household surveys (<i>n</i> = 236) and field assessments across 15 villages revealed that 95% of respondents experienced crop damage, with maize identified as the most vulnerable crop. Land use analysis showed that forests covered 66.73% of the area, intensifying bear incursions into croplands. The average economic loss per farmer was ₹5,150.43 ± ₹387.78 for maize and ₹32,071.85 ± ₹4,853.05 for apples. Mean production losses were 171.68&#xa0;kg for maize and 64.14 boxes for apples, highlighting significant livelihood impacts. Regression analysis showed a significant positive relationship between crop loss and the distance of fields from houses (<i>p</i> = 0.0185). Temporal analysis indicated that most bear attacks occurred during the autumn and at night. Despite adopting mitigation measures like guarding (56.36%), scarecrows, and noise-making, 40.68% of respondents perceived no measure as effective. Negative experiences with crop damage significantly influenced conservation attitudes, with livestock and maize losses emerging as strong negative predictors. The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies, enhanced compensation mechanisms, and community-based management approaches to promote human-wildlife coexistence in human-dominated landscapes.</p>

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Assessment of crop damage by Asiatic black bear in Kupwara, Northwestern Himalayas: patterns, impacts, and conservation perspectives

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月14日

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  • Uzma Dawood,
  • Zubair Ahmad Teli,
  • Lubna Rashid,
  • Samina A. Charoo,
  • Bilal A. Bhat

摘要

Human–wildlife conflict poses significant challenges to both wildlife conservation and rural livelihoods, particularly where agricultural lands border forest habitats. This study assessed the extent, patterns, and socioeconomic impacts of crop damage by the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Kupwara, Kashmir, Northwestern Himalayas. Household surveys (n = 236) and field assessments across 15 villages revealed that 95% of respondents experienced crop damage, with maize identified as the most vulnerable crop. Land use analysis showed that forests covered 66.73% of the area, intensifying bear incursions into croplands. The average economic loss per farmer was ₹5,150.43 ± ₹387.78 for maize and ₹32,071.85 ± ₹4,853.05 for apples. Mean production losses were 171.68 kg for maize and 64.14 boxes for apples, highlighting significant livelihood impacts. Regression analysis showed a significant positive relationship between crop loss and the distance of fields from houses (p = 0.0185). Temporal analysis indicated that most bear attacks occurred during the autumn and at night. Despite adopting mitigation measures like guarding (56.36%), scarecrows, and noise-making, 40.68% of respondents perceived no measure as effective. Negative experiences with crop damage significantly influenced conservation attitudes, with livestock and maize losses emerging as strong negative predictors. The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies, enhanced compensation mechanisms, and community-based management approaches to promote human-wildlife coexistence in human-dominated landscapes.