IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Inskip, C. | |
| People, tigers and the Sundarbans: the human dimensions of human-tiger conflict in Bangladesh | |
| 2013 Full Book | |
Conflict between people and wild animals is a global phenomenon involving a diverse array of peoples and species. Such conflicts can decrease local people's support for species conservation initiatives and, the killing of wild animals in conflict situations threatens the existence of many species worldwide, including tigers (_Panthera tigris_). Consequently, the resolution of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) has become a key objective for conservation programmes worldwide. However, halting the killing of endangered species by local communities has proven challenging and a better understanding of the people involved in human-wildlife conflicts, and particularly of lethal control behaviour, is urgently required if conflict resolution and long-term human-wildlife co-existence are to become achievable goals. Thus, to aid tiger conservation efforts this project explores for the first time the human dimension of HTC in the Sundarbans mangrove forest of Bangladesh, the site of the most severe human-tiger conflict (HTC) range-wide. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data this research provides insight into three important aspects of the human dimensions of this conflict. First, the cultural and socio-economic context of HTC in this area is described and its influence on local community members' perceptions of the risk tigers present discussed. Second, local community members' acceptance capacity (tolerance) for tigers is quantified and the experiential and psychological basis of tolerance (or a lack thereof) determined. Finally, the drivers for stray tiger killing behaviour and the factors that render this behaviour socially acceptable are identified. Importantly, these insights into the human dimensions of HTC are used to make recommendations for situation-specific and culturally appropriate HTC management actions for the area. Ultimately, this research makes apparent the complexity of the human dimension of HTC and the relevance and importance of in-depth social research to the conservation of species which come into conflict with local communities. |
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