Wildlife Conservation Perspective of Fringe Villagers …
299
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 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 rich in reptile biodiversity) from road kills by
speeding vehicles. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to enhance environmental
education and take up awareness programmes about conservation of natural resources
among the local communities as they may play a crucial primary role in sustainable
use of bioresources. Community based participatory conservation and management
practices may help reduce the utilitarian approach and enhance the naturalistic value
of wildlife and forests among the fringe villagers of Borail Wildlife Sanctuary.
References
Abram N (2008) People—protected area conflict: unravelling the complexities of illegal resource
use by forest dependent communities in Manombo Forest, Madagascar. https://www.iccs.org.uk/
wp-content/thesis/consci/2008/Abram.pdf
Allendorf TD (2007) Residents’ attitudes toward three protected areas in southwestern Nepal.
Biodivers Conserv 16:2087–2102
Barkakoti S (1990) Alternative plan for jhum area development. In: Majumdar DN (ed) Shifting
cultivation in NE India. Om Sons Publications, New Delhi
Baskaran N, Bhoominathan D (2010) Road kill of animals by highway traffic in the tropical forests
of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, southern India. J Threat Taxa 2(3):753–759
Bhuyan N (2015) A comprehensive study of the socio-economic status of forest fringe villages in
Lakhimpur district, Assam. Int J Interdiscip Res Sci Soc Cult 1(2):140–152
Chapin CT, Bridgham SD, Pastor J (2004) pH and nutrient effects on above-ground net primary
production in a Minnesota, USA bog and fen. Wetlands 24(1):186–201
Choudhury AU (1993) Potential biosphere reserves in Assam (India). Tigerpaper 20(1):2–8
Das A, Ahmed MF, Lahkar BP, Sharma P (2007) A preliminary report of reptilian mortality on
road due to vehicular movements near Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Zoos’ Print J
22(7):2742–2744
De Boer WF, Bequete DS (1998) Natural resource use, crop damage and attitudes of rural people
in the vicinity of Maputo Elephant Reserve, Mozambique. Environ Conserv 25(3):208–218
Deb D, Malhotra KC (2001) Conservation ethos in local traditions: the West Bengal heritage. Soc
Nat Resour 14(8):711–724
299
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 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 rich in reptile biodiversity) from road kills by
speeding vehicles. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to enhance environmental
education and take up awareness programmes about conservation of natural resources
among the local communities as they may play a crucial primary role in sustainable
use of bioresources. Community based participatory conservation and management
practices may help reduce the utilitarian approach and enhance the naturalistic value
of wildlife and forests among the fringe villagers of Borail Wildlife Sanctuary.
References
Abram N (2008) People—protected area conflict: unravelling the complexities of illegal resource
use by forest dependent communities in Manombo Forest, Madagascar. https://www.iccs.org.uk/
wp-content/thesis/consci/2008/Abram.pdf
Allendorf TD (2007) Residents’ attitudes toward three protected areas in southwestern Nepal.
Biodivers Conserv 16:2087–2102
Barkakoti S (1990) Alternative plan for jhum area development. In: Majumdar DN (ed) Shifting
cultivation in NE India. Om Sons Publications, New Delhi
Baskaran N, Bhoominathan D (2010) Road kill of animals by highway traffic in the tropical forests
of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, southern India. J Threat Taxa 2(3):753–759
Bhuyan N (2015) A comprehensive study of the socio-economic status of forest fringe villages in
Lakhimpur district, Assam. Int J Interdiscip Res Sci Soc Cult 1(2):140–152
Chapin CT, Bridgham SD, Pastor J (2004) pH and nutrient effects on above-ground net primary
production in a Minnesota, USA bog and fen. Wetlands 24(1):186–201
Choudhury AU (1993) Potential biosphere reserves in Assam (India). Tigerpaper 20(1):2–8
Das A, Ahmed MF, Lahkar BP, Sharma P (2007) A preliminary report of reptilian mortality on
road due to vehicular movements near Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Zoos’ Print J
22(7):2742–2744
De Boer WF, Bequete DS (1998) Natural resource use, crop damage and attitudes of rural people
in the vicinity of Maputo Elephant Reserve, Mozambique. Environ Conserv 25(3):208–218
Deb D, Malhotra KC (2001) Conservation ethos in local traditions: the West Bengal heritage. Soc
Nat Resour 14(8):711–724