A new study conducted as part of a five -kilometer bumper around two protected areas, Bandipur and Nagarahole National Parks revealed that landowners who faced conflicts of wild animals were less likely to feel about forests.
In the study “Conflicts in Nature Conservation: Education, Income and the desire to live near forest ecosystems”, led by the center for the study of wild animals (CWS), scientists examined 699 landowners bordering on Parks Bandipur and Nagarahole.
“The study revealed a strong link between negative experiences with wild animals and attitudes to forests. Soil owners who have encountered wilderness conflicts were significantly less inclined to live near forests – 116% less likely to do so,” and said CWS perceive forests.
The study was led by Dincy Mariyam of CWS, along with the co -authors of the Sumeet Gulati of the University of British Columbia and critic K. Quaranth of CWS.
The study estimated that the inclination of the community to live near the forest based on perceived costs, such as losses related to wild animals or lack of access to basic facilities and opportunities. The survey also evaluated the perceived benefits – whether they believed that the forest was regulated by climate and precipitation.
The CWS said the studies found that increased education and income positively correlated with perceived benefits and promote awareness of intangible ecosystem services. However, the insufficient possibility of local employment may work, which would be less likely that educated people would be selected in near forests.
“With progress in education reaching rural areas with a large number of individuals now seek to move to metropolitan regions for better opportunities. Dialogue with these communities could support protection through the creation of local jobs, tourism, agriculture or soil incentives. Mariyam.
The CWS added that the study emphasizes the need to alleviate the conflicts of wild animals and access to the livelihood associated with forests to strengthen local support for protection.
Published – 5th August 2025 06:04 IS
