Wildlife conservation perspective of fringe villagers and their socio-economic dependency: A case study from borail wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India

Wildlife conservation perspective generally refers to the attitude of local people living in and around protected areas towards conservation of wild animals and plant species in their natural habitat. Socio-economic dependency of rural communities on natural resources very often for livelihood purposes leads to negative attitudes towards conservation. Rising human population, intensified land use, human pressure on animals, modification of natural resources, habitat fragmentation and lack of foresight in the implementation of policies have been linked with disputes affecting the rural communities living in and around protected areas and their socio-economic development. Information on perceptions and attitudes of local communities is important to identify proper management programmes and strategies that best suit the conservation of biodiversity alongside the socio-economic development of local communities dependent on forests for their livelihood. Borail Wildlife Sanctuary is the only wildlife sanctuary in the southern part of Assam. The sanctuary is important biologically as it supports the Cachar Tropical Evergreen Forest and many rare and unique species. In recent times, anthropogenic pressure on forest and wildlife is on the rise because of the increasing human population around the sanctuary. In the present study, conservation studies were undertaken among the fringe villagers of Borail Wildlife Sanctuary (i) to understand attitude and perception towards forest and wildlife conservation, and (ii) to assess their socio-economic dependency on forest and wildlife. The fringe villagers of Borail Wildlife Sanctuary were found to possess a positive attitude towards the sanctuary as a whole which is essential for participatory conservation and management programme in this protected area situated in the vulnerable eco-region of north east India. The dominance of utilitarian value among the local communities indicate towards their social and economic dependency on the Borail Wildlife Sanctuary, particularly for collecting firewood, constructing huts (kutcha houses), cultivation of beetle vine (pan jhum) etc. Acceleration of soil erosion and accentuation in the variability of rainfall distribution as a result of long term shifting cultivation in Borail Wildlife Sanctuary might be detrimental for conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. This necessitates sanctuary-community interaction for strengthening the sanctuary-community relationship in order to persuade the local communities to take up alternative forms of livelihood in order to protect the sanctuary. However, the local villagers were not willing to take part in the current conservation activities which may be attributed to their low level of education and lack of environmental awareness. The traditional beliefs of a section of fringe villagers particularly in protecting non-human primates and banyan trees hold key to participatory wildlife and biodiversity conservation programmes, which the government agencies, policymakers as well as non-governmental organizations might utilize for successful protected area management coupled with enhanced education and creation of awareness among local communities. Moreover, creation of wildlife corridors across the national highway might help save many wild animals of the Borail Wildlife Sanctuary (which is particularly rich in reptile biodiversity) from road kills by speeding vehicles.