Socio-economic impact of crop raiding by wild animals in the fringe villages of protected areas

Crop raiding is a major form of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) that poses a serious threat to human welfare in the fringe villages of Manas National Park in Assam (India). Most of the people living in the fringe villages of Manas National Park rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Crop raiding also creates notable challenges for wildlife conservation, as people may retaliate against wildlife when the frequency and severity of crop damage escalate—resulting in the injury or death of the wild animals. To assess the socio-economic impact of crop raiding on the people living in the fringe villages of Manas National Park, data were gathered from eight fringe villages through primary sources, including household questionnaires, focus group discussions, interviews, and field observations, along with secondary sources. This study has also identified the various types of crops damaged by wildlife, quantified the economic losses incurred as a result of crop raiding and examined various mitigation measures for HWC practiced by the communities of the fringe villages