Human-elephant conflict in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, escalated significantly between 2013 and 2017, with 543 incidents reported, including three human fatalities and two injuries. Crop damage was the most frequent type of HEC, peaking during the post-monsoon season, while property damage surged in winter. A strong negative correlation emerged between HEC frequency and proximity to the park's forest edge, indicating that conflicts intensify closer to protected areas. Despite rising tensions, 77% of residents surveyed maintained a positive attitude toward elephant conservation, viewing them as national treasures. The study analyzed spatial and temporal patterns using park data and surveys from 390 residents across 13 buffer zone user committees (BZUCs), revealing critical insights for conflict mitigation in UNESCO-listed sites.

Dangol, D., Ghimire, A., & Bhattarai, S. B. (2020). Human-elephant conflict in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Nepalese Journal of Zoology, 4(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.3126/njz.v4i1.30671