In the shadows of Valmiki Tiger Reserve, local villages are celebrating a remarkable 80% reduction in livestock attacks, thanks to the installation of predator-proof pens by the Wildlife Trust of India. This groundbreaking initiative not only minimizes human-wildlife conflict but also enhances the livelihoods of farmers, encouraging a harmonious coexistence with the majestic leopards and tigers.
Bettiah: In a major step towards reducing human-wildlife conflict and protecting rural livelihoods, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has launched an initiative to install predator-proof pens in villages bordering the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR).The project has covered nearly 350 households across two village clusters — Manpur-Purainia (188 households) and Dhumatand-Jasauli (166 households) in the Manguraha forest range of VTR, division I. According to WTI officials, the intervention has led to an 80% reduction in small livestock depredation in these villages over the past three years.Samir Sinha, director of WTI, said the initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the VTR management, forms part of the project titled “Living with large carnivores: Integrative coexistence through community empowerment,” supported by the Darwin Initiative and Chester Zoo.“Leopards and tigers in villages adjacent to the VTR frequently prey on small livestock such as goats and pigs, causing significant financial losses for families dependent on these animals,” Sinha said.While the forest department provides compensation for livestock losses — a measure considered vital for maintaining community tolerance towards predators and safeguarding livelihoods — WTI stressed the need for preventive measures as a more sustainable long-term solution.
“Compensation is important, but preventing losses altogether is more effective. By promoting predator-proof pens and strengthening protective infrastructure, we are helping communities safeguard their livelihoods while fostering coexistence with large carnivores,” Sinha added.The initiative is being seen as a potential model for balancing conservation goals with community welfare, aiming to reduce economic stress among forest-fringe households while lowering retaliatory threats to wildlife. The success of the pilot could pave the way for similar interventions in other conflict-prone zones across VTR, he added.
