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Pest status of the Indian crested porcupine
... Srivastava (2000) reported that, Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) consumed 19 varieties of sugarcane in Lucknow, India. Chakravarthy et al. (2006) also reported that, Indian crested porcupine became pest on crops due to the degradation and fragmentation of forest habitat. Mode of attack on different crop species was studied and they introduced a method to mitigate the crop damage by encasing the seedlings of coconut and arecanut with porcelain pipes. ...
... Feeding on tapioca and pineapple was also reported in the previous studies . Chakravarthy et al. (2006) reported that, degradation and fragmentation of the forest habitat compelled this species to human habitations and to damage the cash crops. In central Kerala, the above assumption may not be valid, even though its population status shows increasing trend (Table 16). ...
... damage to the clumps and the damaged clumps had 45.67% canes eaten up while 49.76% internodes were eaten up by porcupines. (Chakravarthy, 2006) also reported that due to the destruction and depletion of the forest environment Indian crested porcupine becomes a pest on crops. Mode of attacks on various crop species was researched, and a system was developed to minimize crop harm by enclosing coconut and areca nut seedlings with porcelain pipes. ...
Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is one of the most serious challenges faced by many types of
wildlife at the moment and this problem is attracting growing publicity worldwide. HWC is
among the most challenging subjects for conservation biologists to figure out and effectively
implement the mechanism. The goal of this thesis was to investigate the degree and impact of
HWC at Banepa2 of Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal Banepa of Kavrepalanchok district of
Nepal. Data were gathered via an identification survey, household survey, key informant
interviews, focus group discussion, and secondary sources. A questionnaire survey was
randomly administered to 98 households with key informant interviews and focus group
discussions. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Geographical Information System
(GIS), MS-Excel, Chi-square test, Friedman ranking test was used to analyze the data. The
most problematic animal was the wild boar followed by porcupine, leopard. Major problems due
to wild animals ranked by respondents were crop damage, followed by livestock depredation
and least was human casualties. Major crops grown in the area were Maize (Zea mays), Wheat
(Triticum aestivum), Mustard (Brassica campestris), Soyabean(Glycine max), Potato (Solanum
tuberosum) and Paddy (Oryza sativa). Socioeconomic variables, i.e. ethnicity, education,
gender, age categories, household annual income, and land ownership were used to define the
perception of wildlife protection by the local populace. The main factors that should be addressed
to reduce the human-wildlife dispute were Health, education, employment opportunities,
compensation, conservation, education, resettlement, proper monitoring, The role of the
government, Divison forest authority, and the different International and National Government
organizations are necessary to enhance the Livelihood of people surrounding the forest area
and to govern wildlife conservation. Shouting and following, Shouting, following and throwing
stones and regular watching were the most effective measures perceived by the respondents.
Use of electric fences, production of non-palatable species, crop diversification, improved
cattle sheds, stall feeding of cattle are highly recommended in the study area.
... Chelliah et al. (2010) analyzed the efficiency of chilly-tobacco rope against the crop raiding elephants in Karnataka and it was proved that the method was significantly better in low-rainfall seasons than medium and high-rainfall regimes. Chauhan et al. (2009) Chakravarthy et al. (2006) revealed that Indian crested porcupine became pest on crops due to degradation and fragmentation of forest habitat. Mode of its attack on different crop species was studied and they introduced a method to mitigate the crop damage by encasing the seedlings of coconut and areca nut with porcelain pipes. ...
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a contentious issue, and crop damage by wild animals is a major problem in Kerala, India. A study on crop damage by wild animals was carried out in Thrissur District, Kerala, India, from April 2009 to March 2012, to assess the crop damage by wild animals and the economic loss incurred to the farmers due to wild animals. For assessing the crop damage, quadrats of 10 m x 10 m were taken randomly in the fringe areas of eight Forest Ranges. Incidences of crop damage were recorded from the quadrat in each month (n = 36), and the species of crops damaged was quantified. Economic loss was estimated by multiplying the quantity of crops damaged within the quadrat, with the market value of crops which was collected from the Farm Information Bureau, Kerala. Ten species of wild animals damaged 11 species of crops in the District. Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) did the highest damage, and the economic loss was estimated as Rs.17,35,625/- per annum, followed by wild pig (Sus scrofa) (Rs. 3736/- per ha/annum) and Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) (Rs. 615.47/- per ha/annum). Feeding on tender coconuts (Cocos nucifera) by Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) was reported for the first time, and this feeding behaviour was reported from three Forest Ranges adjacent to the wildlife sanctuaries. Mean loss was Rs. 2247/- per annum. Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and other birds contributed to high economic loss in the paddy fields (Oryza sativa) near Chulanur Peafowl Sanctuary, Kerala, and the loss was Rs. 16,615.45/- per ha. The study indicated that crop damage by animals is causing severe economic loss to farmers in the District, and mitigation measures, namely, solar electric fence, chilli-rope fence, yellow-coloured plastic sheet fence and fishnet fence, are suggested.
... Chelliah et al. (2010) analyzed the efficiency of chilly-tobacco rope against the crop raiding elephants in Karnataka and it was proved that the method was significantly better in low-rainfall seasons than medium and high-rainfall regimes. Chauhan et al. (2009) Chakravarthy et al. (2006) revealed that Indian crested porcupine became pest on crops due to degradation and fragmentation of forest habitat. Mode of its attack on different crop species was studied and they introduced a method to mitigate the crop damage by encasing the seedlings of coconut and areca nut with porcelain pipes. ...
ABSTRACT
A study on assessment of crop damage by wild animals was conducted in Thrissur District, Kerala, India, from April 2009 to March 2012. The objectives of the study were 1. To assess and estimate the extent of crop damage by wild animals in the Trichur District. 2. To suggest suitable remedial measures to reduce and prevent the crop damage by wild animals. Study area consisted of three Forest Divisions and nine Forest Ranges. Methods involved were collection of field data from quadrates, observational studies in the field, field trials of control measures, experimental trials to assess paddy loss, questionnaire survey and collection of data from the records of Kerala Forest Department. Field data was collected using quadrates (10 m x 10 m) taken randomly in the eight Forest Ranges. Crop damage incidences were recorded from quadrates in each month (n=36) and the species of crops damaged was quantified. Enquires were also made among the farmers near the quadrates to confirm the species of crop raiding animals. Case studies were carried out for large herbivores, as they were not recorded from the quadrates. Observational studies were carried out on Indian giant squirrel to quantify the damage to coconuts. A field experiment was carried out at Chulannur, Thrissur to quantify the loss of paddy due to Indian peafowls.
Seven species of wild animals namely Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), wild pig (Sus scrofa), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica), Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) and sambar (Rusa unicolor) were damaging the crops. During the study period, Asian elephant did the highest damage (Rs. 17,35,625/- per annum), followed by wild pig (Rs. 3,736/- per ha per annum) and Indian crested porcupine (Rs. 615.47/- per ha per annum). The damage occurred in the immediate fringe areas of the forest (n=9) and up to 100 m from the forest boundary (n=9). The seasonality of elephant raids is found to be coinciding with the period of crop ripening. Wild pig was distributed in all the Forest Ranges and was active in the cultivated land throughout the year. It fed on coconuts (n=296) followed by plantains (n=33) and tubers. Indian crested porcupine consumed coconuts (n=150) and debarked the basal portion of the coconut trees and this damage was highest in Vellikulangara Forest Range.
Feeding of Indian giant squirrel on coconut is reported for the first time and this behaviour was recorded in the Forest Ranges adjacent to Wildlife Sanctuaries. Highest damage was documented in the Peechi Forest Range (Rs. 3,528/- per annum), followed by Machad (Rs. 3,009/- per annum) and Palapilly (Rs. 205/- per annum). Mean economic loss per annum was estimated as Rs. 2,247/-. Though the availability of food within the forest was sufficient, coconut trees in the forest fringes lured this species to coconut plantations. The mode of consumption of coconut was by making a hole into the endocarp after removing the mesocarp. The opening had a circumference in the range of 19±4 cm (n=150). Consumption of coconuts was highest in the Peechi Forest Range (4.6±2.2nuts/tree/month) followed by Machad (2±1.02nuts/tree/month) and Palappilly (0.46±0.44nuts/tree/month) Forest Ranges. Indian peafowl did extensive damage on the paddy near the Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary. Loss of paddy was estimated as Rs. 16,615.45/- per ha. The species preferred paddy followed by vegetables and its presence in the crop field was reported only from Wadakkencherry Forest Range. Consumption of paddy (1466.5±247.31 kg/ha) reached high near the Sanctuary area.
Solar electric fence is a good control measure for all herbivores, if it is properly maintained. Yellow-coloured plastic sheet is an innovative control measure for the frequent crop raiders like wild pig, Indian crested porcupine and sambar. Efficacy of the chilli-rope and chilli-brick were evaluated, which were already proved successful in African conditions. Chilli-rope is found to be an effective short term remedial measure to prevent elephants from entering crop fields in the tropical monsoon condition. Burning of chilli-brick was not an effective control measure due to the unexpected encounter of elephants in the crop field. Marginal farmers are facing severe economic loss due to crop damage by wild animals in the District. Asian elephants did the crop damage in different grama panchayaths namely Athirapilly (51.2%), Kodassery (18.4%), Panacherry (11.7%), Varandharapilly (10.6%) and Puthur (7.9%). Wild pig was rampant in the crop fields and the raiding of crops was reported high in different grama panchayaths namely Panacherry (41%), followed by Thekkumkara (12%), Chelakkara (11%) and Madakkathara (9%) grama panchayaths. Highest crop damage by Indian crested porcupine was recorded from Mattathur grama panchayath (34%), followed by Kondazhy (23%), Erumapetty (21%) and Kodassery (17%) grama panchayaths.
As the market price of the rubber increased, farmers were trying to cultivate even in the remote areas with rubber, intermixed with plantains. This has put considerable pressure on wild areas lying adjacent to forest and the tendency to encroach the forest land was severe. This trend is triggering increased human-elephant interaction in the District.
Human-wildlife conflict is a growing concern everywhere in the world and the problem is getting worst due to the uncontrolled behavioral problems of both human beings and wildlife. A practical approach of the researchers towards the human-wildlife issues can provide better output and new solutions to lead a peaceful co-existence along with livelihood activities. The present study on the human-wildlife conflict was carried out in Nilambur, Kerala, State India and the objectives of the investigation was
1. To assess and estimate the extent of crop damage by wild animals in Nilambur South and Nilambur North Forest Divisions.
2. To suggest suitable mitigation measures to reduce and prevent the crop damage by wild animals
The research was initiated in the year December 2013 and the field data collection continued up to May 2016. The intensive study was conducted in a tropical area and the main method was of direct observation and field surveys. On an average 20 days were spent in the field in each month. Vehicle based reconnaissance surveys were also conducted initially to understand the problem, where intensive crop damage was recorded. An announcement was given in all the local newspapers to report occurrences of crop damage and cattle lifting in the District. After analyzing the response, plots were selected and crop damage occurring in each month in the selected plots and also in other areas were recorded and data collected in a structured format. Efficacy of control measures employed by the farmers and Kerala forest and wildlife department were also analyzed. Efficacy of novel control method, the honey-bee fence, a bio-repellent and yellow coloured cloth were also evaluated. Conservation attitude of local people was collected using a structured questionnaire survey and analyzed to understand the response of people to the conservation initiatives.
Crop raiding, cattle lifting, wild animals intruding into the settlements and human casualties were the four type of human –wildlife conflicts reported from the area whereas poaching and snaring are some of the adverse impacts of people on wild animals. The major crop raiding species were Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Wild pig (Sus scrofa), Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica), and Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus priam).
Major crops damaged by elephants were plantain (Musa paradisiaca), coconut (Cocos nucifera), arecanut (Areca catechu), rubber (Hevea braziliensis), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and teak (Tectona grandis). Karulai, Kalikavu and Vazhikadavu Forest Ranges recorded the highest damage of crops. Highest crop damage was reported during the months of July and August and most of the encounters were recorded at midnight and highest crop damage (89%) was recorded for plantains. Elephant damage was recorded from twenty two areas and maximum encounters were recorded from the sites namely Chenappady and Panichola. Wild pig damage on plantain and coconut was recorded from all the five Forest Ranges namely Kalikavu, Karulai, Nilambur, Vazhikadavu and Edavanna. All the five Ranges were equally affected by the wild pig menace and human-wild pig encounters were reported from ten localities. Highest crop damage by Indian crested porcupine was recorded from Edavanna forest Range followed by Karulai, Vazhikadavu and Kalikavu. Density of trees in the periphery of Reserve Forest of Vazhikadavu, Nilambur, Edavanna and Karulai Forest Ranges depicts that the natural vegetation in the periphery of the forest was diverse and representative of a natural plant community. The estimation of economic loss showed that the Asian elephant damaged cash crops worth about Rs.22 lakh per annum in the District. Highest damage of arecanut was recorded from Karulai Forest Range by Asian elephants.
Among the other crop raiders the highest damage of wild pig was recorded from Nilambur Forest Range followed by Kalikavu, Karulai, Vazhikadavu and Edavanna with mean economic loss estimated as Rs.15000/- per ha per annum. Mean economic loss by Indian crested porcupine in the Malappuram District was Rs.1322/- per ha per annum and highest damage was recorded from Edavanna Forest Range. Bonnet macaque raided the crops mostly in morning and late evening hours. Highest loss of coconuts by bonnet macaque was recorded from Kalikavu Forest Rage followed by Edavanna and with a mean loss of 7 nuts per tree. A case of wild pig rabies was confirmed and reported from Nilambur. A case study on Indian gaur death at Mayilumpara was also reported. Leopard and wild dog were responsible for the cattle lifting incidences reported from the Malappuram District among them five incidences were from Kalikavu and one from Vazhikadavu Forest Range. Honey bee fence which was initially developed in Africa was experimented at Nilambur and the result showed that as a technology the honey bee fence was effective in stopping the crop raiding elephants. On social angle it provided an additional income to the farmers by the sale of honey obtained from the fence and on the implementation side, theft of bee hive by locals and the difficulty in the maintenance of honey bees during the months of monsoon was an issue.
Yellow coloured cloth proved effective in protecting small crop from wild pig. A bio-repellent experimented in the field to control the wild pig and the result showed that it is effective in reducing the menace. Conservation attitudes of the local people were assessed through a questionnaire survey and 59 per cent of the respondents reported wild pig as the major menace followed by bonnet macaque, Asian elephant and Indian crested porcupine. Around 4 per cent of the respondents reported livestock predation by leopard, wild dog and small Indian civet. The study highlights that crop damage by wild animals is severe in the Malappuram District and reports the localities where intervention is needed. Practical suggestions to mitigate the human-wildlife conflict is reported in the study.
Contrary to the general belief that, elephants come out of the forest in search of water and fodder, it was observed that highest crop damage were during the months of July to August when the south-west monsoon was in full swing. It was observed that they were raiding only cash crops like plantain, coconut and arecanut, which are rich in nutrients only during the monsoon months when the vegetation was lush in the forest.
To resolve the human-wildlife conflict more attention is needed on the social angle of the problem. In the study area it was found that the first-line of defence of elephants by farmers is not existing now and this has happened because most of the farms in the forest fringes has been converted into rubber plantations and these farms without any habitation are managed by owners staying in the faraway places. The young generation is not taking any interest in the “first line” defense to prevent the elephants from entering into the agriculture fields. Due to this scenario, elephants can travel long distances to the nearby village areas without any hindrance and in such villages people are not traditionally trained to defend the elephants or other animals on their own. There is a failure of traditional wisdom of defending the wild animals. A new setup or institution has to be built up in the Kerala forest and wildlife department to provide the “first-line defence” in the fringe areas of the forest itself and to save the people from the fury of wild animals and also to conserve wild animals.
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