Identifying the Social and Ecological Constraints to Restore Bonnet Macaques (Macaca Radiata) into the Forested Landscape, Central Western Ghats, Shimoga District, India.

Abstract

The Western Ghats, celebrated for its diverse biodiversity, faces a critical paradox as the most densely populated global biodiversity hotspot. Mounting human activities has triggered habitat loss, leading to a surge in human-wildlife conflicts. Unplanned human-centric development compounds the issue by causing habitat fragmentation, hindering eco-centric solutions. This results in wildlife encroaching upon human settlements, intensifying conflicts and fostering the emergence of zoonotic diseases, posing threats to both human and wildlife populations. This study, centered in the Malnad region of Shimoga district, specifically Thirthahalli, Hosanagara, and Sagara taluks, scrutinizes the Macaque conflict. It extensively examines land use, land cover changes, and the local community's perceptions of macaques, conflicts, underlying causes, measures taken by respondents, and their recommendations to alleviate the conflict situation.