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Human-Tiger conflict in context: risks to lives and livelihoods in the Bangladesh Sundarbans.

MacMillan, Douglas C., Inskip, Chloe, Ridout, Martin S., Fahad, Zubair, Tully, Rowan, Barlow, Adam, Greenwood Barlow, Christina, Islam, Anwar, Roberts, Thomas (2013) Human-Tiger conflict in context: risks to lives and livelihoods in the Bangladesh Sundarbans. Human Ecology, 41 (2). pp. 169-186. ISSN 0300-7839. (doi:10.1007/s10745-012-9556-6) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:41081)

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Abstract

People’s perceptions of the risk posed by wild animals to human lives and/or livelihoods can influence the rate at

which people intentionally kill these species. Consequently, human–wildlife conflict (HWC) management strategies may benefit from the inclusion of actions which reduce risk perceptions. This study uses Participatory Risk Mapping (PRM) and semi-structured interviews to explore local perceptions and the wider socio-economic context of human–tiger conflict (HTC)in the Bangladesh Sundarbans area. Of the 24 locally-relevant problems identified by the PRM process, tigers were the only problem to be cited by >50 % of respondents. The ‘tiger problem’ was also perceived by villagers to be of relatively high severity. Negative perceptions of tigers in the Sundarbans

communities are exacerbated by other locally-experienced poverty-related problems, as well cyclones, floods and soil erosion. Interactions between the problems experienced by villagers, including HTC, result in a complex ‘risk web’ which detrimentally affects lives and livelihoods and ultimately perpetuates poverty levels in the Sundarbans communities. This research demonstrates that PRM and in-depth, qualitative research can enhance understanding of the perceived magnitude and wider socio-economic context of risks from wildlife and aid

the identification of risk perception management actions which may help to reduce the number of animals killed by people.

Panthera tigris . Human–wildlife conflict . Risk

perception . Poverty . Sundarbans

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s10745-012-9556-6
Uncontrolled keywords: Panthera tigris . Human–wildlife conflict . Risk perception . Poverty . Sundarbans
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Douglas MacMillan
Date Deposited: 15 May 2014 17:24 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 12:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/41081 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

MacMillan, Douglas C..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2573-5049
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Ridout, Martin S..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Roberts, Thomas.

Creator's ORCID:
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