A rapid appraisal method to identify Human-Elephant Conflict prone areas

Abstract

ABSTRACT Methodology As mandated in the TOR, United Nations Norms will be followed as below while carrying out the Evaluation Study: - Utility, Credibility, - Independence, Impartiality, - Ethics, Transparency, Human Rights, - Gender Participation, Capacity and - Professionalism These norms will guide the process of evaluation. On an overall perspective, the landscape of the entire evaluation study area can be categorized under the following three types to consider different types of barriers and other measures to reduce the conflict: a) Terrains and areas which are flat and plain where the forests are fragmented with diffused boundaries and mostly interspersed with agriculture and human habitation b) Flat and plain terrain with continuous forests and hard boundary interfacing with villages c) Hilly and undulating terrain and forests interspersed with plantation crops such as coffee. FIELD OF THE INVENTION Our Invention is related to a rapid appraisal method to identify Human-Elephant Conflict prone areas.

Specification

Description:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Evaluation study on Human Elephant conflict, the mitigation methods employed and its impact on conflict resolution was assigned to TECSOK by Karnataka Evaluation Authority.

The period of study was pertaining to the measures taken during 2014-15 to 2018-19 in the five elephant habitat districts of Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu.

The purpose of the study is mainly to evaluate the various measures taken to reduce the human elephant conflict (HEC) and to arrive at the most efficient measure with cost effective.

With the HEC assuming alarming proportions in the recent past and considerable amount is incurred in erecting physical barriers in the form of barricades to manage the conflict and also payment of ex gratia for crop, property damages and injuries and death of humans. On the other side death of elephants is also a matter of concern.

The genesis of the conflict is mainly due to changes in the landscape resulting in fragmentation and shrinking of elephant habitats and at the same time increase in the elephant population.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
One of the main objectives of the evaluation is to map the details of the boundary barriers already erected in the study areas. Classifying them into different categories and combinations and assessing the cost of construction and their deterrence abilities will give an idea about the cost benefit analysis of these barricades.

Main indicators of Human Elephant conflict are number, type, frequency and distribution of crop raids and seasonal and temporal occurrence of these raids. Collecting these indicator data and analyzing them will enable to understand the underlying reasons and pattern of human elephant conflicts.

The inference will also give probable solutions or suitable measures to mitigate the conflicts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
India is one of the main habitats of Asian elephants in the world with an estimated population of 29,964. Karnataka stand first among the states with an estimated population of 6094.

With the shrinking and fragmentation of elephant habitats coupled with various developmental activities on the rise, the contact between human and elephants are increasing.

The Human Elephant conflicts is due to complex interactions between human and elephants resulting in damaging consequences on both sides. Most of the elephant habitat states have been adopting several measures to reduce this conflict over a period of time. Despite this, the intensity and degree of conflict has been on the rise.

Karnataka has been adopting several measures both short and long term to reduce the conflict. Among the short-term measures, setting up barricades on the interface of forest and villages is one of the important methods to reduce the HEC.

Evaluation and monitoring of these methods with a view to find out the best measure both in terms of optimized cost and effectiveness in reducing the conflict is important.
\
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAM
Fig.1:A rapid appraisal method to identify Human-Elephant Conflict prone areas Fig.2: A rapid appraisal method to identify Human-Elephant Conflict prone areas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
However, in the past decade or so and now, using physical barriers which started with
Elephant Proof Trenches (EPT) have been assisting in managing the man elephant
Conflicts to varying degrees.

Gradually use of solar fences both ground and tentacletype, rubble stone walls and eventually Railway line barricades are in practice indifferent terrains either singly or in combination.

In many cases EPT's may be effectivein barricading the elephants moving into agriculture areas and in some cases, it could besolar fencing or combination of both. But maintenance of these barricades is veryimportant as much as their construction, otherwise it will be rendered ineffective.

 
, Claims:WE CLAIMS

1) Methodology As mandated in the TOR, United Nations Norms will be followed as below while carrying out the Evaluation Study: - Utility, Credibility, - Independence, Impartiality, - Ethics, Transparency, Human Rights, - Gender Participation, Capacity and - Professionalism These norms will guide the process of evaluation. On an overall perspective, the landscape of the entire evaluation study area can be categorized under the following three types to consider different types of barriers and other measures to reduce the conflict: a) Terrains and areas which are flat and plain where the forests are fragmented with diffused boundaries and mostly interspersed with agriculture and human habitation b) Flat and plain terrain with continuous forests and hard boundary interfacing with villages c) Hilly and undulating terrain and forests interspersed with plantation crops such as coffee.
2) According to Claim1# the invention is to a Methodology As mandated in the TOR, United Nations Norms will be followed as below while carrying out the Evaluation Study: - Utility, Credibility, - Independence, Impartiality, - Ethics, Transparency, Human Rights, - Gender Participation, Capacity and - Professionalism These norms will guide the process of evaluation.
3) According to Claim1# the invention is to a overall perspective, the landscape of the entire evaluation study area can be categorized under the following three types to consider different types of barriers and other measures to reduce the conflict:
4. According to Claim1,2,3# the invention is to a Terrains and areas which are flat and plain where the forests are fragmented with diffused boundaries and mostly interspersed with agriculture and human habitation
5. According to Claim1,2,3# the invention is to a Flat and plain terrain with continuous forests and hard boundary interfacing with villages
6. According to Claim1,2,3# the invention is to a Hilly and undulating terrain and forests interspersed with plantation crops such as coffee.

Documents