The agriculture–wildlife relationship in India is a multidimensional one, ranging from serious conflict situations to varying levels of tolerance and coexistence. Changes in land use patterns and the population explosion have resulted in increased proximity between humans and wildlife. Birds, however, are generally welcomed by farmers for their many useful roles in agriculture.
It is increasingly evident that a way has to be found for humans and wild fauna to live together, ideally in mutually beneficial situations. This book explains the need for a multi-sectoral, locale-specific approach to mitigate distress and to encourage an agreeable relationship between humans and animals. It examines the complexities of the problems concerning conflict and looks at examples of harmonious co-habitation. It is hoped that this work will be useful for agriculturists, wildlife conservationists, students and NGOs working in this field, and also stimulate interest among government policy makers and implementation agencies.
Tara Gandhi is a conservationist and ornithologist who studied under Dr Sálim Ali with a fellowship from BNHS-India to pursue her Masters in Field Ornithology. She has authored the books Rajasthan Vegetation Index and Birds and Plant Regeneration, edited A Bird's Eye View -The Collected Essays and Shorter Writings of Sálim Ali and has worked with the Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development,World Wildlife Fund, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, WildlifeTrust of India and the Commonwealth Secretariat, London on conservation programmes. She has also surveyed wildlife protected areas in India, including in the Andaman & Nicobar islands and in Lakshadweep.
Preface and Acknowledgements iii
PART I
ASPECTS OF HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT AND COEXISTENCE
Chapter 1: The Relationship between Birds, Wild Animals and Agriculture in India
Chapter 2: Causes of Conflict
Chapter 3: The Effect of Agriculture–Wildlife Conflict on Farming Families
Chapter 4: Threats to Wildlife in the Agricultural Landscape
Chapter 5: Resolving Wildlife–Agriculture Conflict and Promoting Coexistence
Chapter 6: Building Capacity and Raising Awareness
Chapter 7: Policies and Strategies to Prevent Conflict
Chapter 8: Overview of Crop-protection Methods Commonly Used in India
PART II
BIRDS AND AGRICULTURE
Chapter 9: Many Dimensions of the Bird–Agriculture Relationship
Chapter 10: Farmer’s Friends—Birds that are Beneficial to Agriculture
Chapter 11: Threats to Birds Beneficial in Agriculture and Conservation Issues
Chapter 12: Crop Damage by Birds
Chapter 13: Protecting Crops from Bird Damage
Chapter 14: Conserving and Encouraging Birds Beneficial in Agriculture
PART III
COMMON WILD ANIMAL CROP DEPREDATORS
Chapter 15: Monkeys
Rhesus Macaque
Bonnet Macaque
Hanuman Langur
Chapter 16: Ungulates
Indian Wild Boar
Nilgai or Blue Bull
Chital or Spotted Deer
Blackbuck 154 Gaur or Indian Bison
Chapter 17: Asian Elephant
Chapter 18: Indian Crested Porcupine
PART IV
CASE STUDIES
Bird Case Studies
Bird and Animal Case Studies
Animal Case Studies
Bibliography
Appendix
Index