Economic Incentives and Poaching of the One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros in Nepal Stakeholder Perspectives in Biodiversity Conservation: Analysis of Local, National and Global Stakes in Rhino Conservation in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal

48 Pages Posted: 8 Dec 2005 Last revised: 5 May 2023

See all articles by Bhim Prasad Adhikari

Bhim Prasad Adhikari

University of York - Environment Department

Wolfgang Haider

Simon Fraser University - School of Resource and Environmental Management

Om Gurung

Simon Fraser University - School of Resource and Environmental Management

Mahesh Poudyal

University of Kent - School of Anthropology and Conservation

Ben Beardmore

Simon Fraser University - School of Resource and Environmental Management; Center for Limnology

Duncan Knowler

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - School of Resource and Environmental Management

Pieter van Beukering

VU University Amsterdam - Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM)

Date Written: August 15, 2005

Abstract

The one-horned Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is of special conservation importance, and plays a key role in Nepal's growing eco-tourism industry. Abundant in the past, this rhino population now faces a multitude of threats, the most serious of which is poaching for valuable rhino horn. The main aim of this research was to carry out a stakeholder analysis in order to determine who has a stake in the welfare of Terai's rhino population. A household survey (444 interviews) was conducted in six different villages in the buffer zone of the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP). Tourists' attitudes towards national parks and eco-tourism in Nepal, as well as their opinions on forest and wildlife conservation, were also examined.

Stakeholder analysis revealed that there are five major stakeholders in the RCNP buffer zone: i) landless/marginalized households, ii) farmers, iii) tourism and related sectors, iv) visitors and non-users and v) government/NGOs. Each group represents different interests with regard to park management and rhino conservation. Loss of crops and livestock presents a major management problem around the RCNP buffer zone in the view of local farmers. Non-farmer groups, like the Chepang, Bote and Majhi communities, pledged to be rhino herders if the government provided them with job opportunities. Other non-farmers claimed they wouldn't disturb rhinos (or other wild animals) if they could use forest and water resources for longer periods of time on a regulated basis. Local poachers explained that they were looking for alternative sources of income to avoid being involved in such a risky business. The park authority considered the establishment of the national park (and subsequent conservation of rhinos) to have not only contributed to the national economy, but also to community development in buffer zone areas. As nature and wildlife form the basis of the eco-tourism industry, tourism entrepreneurs believed they had also contributed positively to local conservation. Despite some negative impacts on their livelihoods, local people valued rhinos and equated them with national wealth. They believed rhinos have a right to co-exist with the surrounding human population.

The discrete choice experiment conducted confirmed that all stakeholder groups found the proposed management scenarios more attractive than the status quo. Most respondents were in favour of compensation for rhino-related damage, and supported a community development program funded by parks revenues. Interestingly, the general preference for these compensatory measures peaked at about 50%, indicating that either respondents do not require full compensation, or they do not believe higher amounts would be forthcoming. Respondents would particularly value increased tourism employment opportunities and greater possibilities to use park resources. Most importantly, if these compensatory measures were put in place, the majority of respondents would have a clear linear preference for more rhinos. The various stakeholder groups reacted as expected; the highest income farmers regarded high compensatory measures as less important than low and mid-income farmers, while the landless marginalised group considered i) greater park access and ii) an income generation program as very important. The challenge for a pro-poor conservation policy is to integrate the needs of poor people into efforts to conserve an international public good, in this case rhinos. It is vital to ensure that poor farming and non-farming households are compensated for the costs they incur in supplying this unique good.

Keywords: Protected areas,biodiversity conservation,anti-poaching,stakeholder analysis,eco-tourism

Suggested Citation

Adhikari, Bhim Prasad and Haider, Wolfgang and Gurung, Om and Poudyal, Mahesh and Beardmore, Ben and Knowler, Duncan and van Beukering, Pieter, Economic Incentives and Poaching of the One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros in Nepal Stakeholder Perspectives in Biodiversity Conservation: Analysis of Local, National and Global Stakes in Rhino Conservation in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal (August 15, 2005). PREM Working Paper No. 05-12, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=860244 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.860244

Bhim Prasad Adhikari (Contact Author)

University of York - Environment Department ( email )

Heslington
York YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Wolfgang Haider

Simon Fraser University - School of Resource and Environmental Management ( email )

888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Colombia V5A 1S6
Canada

Om Gurung

Simon Fraser University - School of Resource and Environmental Management ( email )

888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Colombia V5A 1S6
Canada

Mahesh Poudyal

University of Kent - School of Anthropology and Conservation ( email )

United Kingdom

Ben Beardmore

Simon Fraser University - School of Resource and Environmental Management ( email )

888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Colombia V5A 1S6
Canada

Center for Limnology

223A Hasler Laboratory
680 North Park St
Madison, WI 53706
United States

HOME PAGE: http://limnology.wisc.edu

Duncan Knowler

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - School of Resource and Environmental Management ( email )

888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Colombia V5A 1S6
Canada
604-291-3421 (Phone)

Pieter Van Beukering

VU University Amsterdam - Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) ( email )

De Boelelaan 1115
Amsterdam, 1081 HV
Netherlands
+ 31 20 444 9555 (Phone)
+ 31 20 444 9553 (Fax)

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