Public opinion regarding Human-Monkey conflict and conservation of non-human primate in Sepahijala District of Tripura
Prasenjit Patari1* and Sabyasachi Dasgupta1#
1*Department of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799130 (India) Email: prasenjittuc2015@gmail.com, Phone-7640819615 1#Department of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799130 (India) Email: sdhnbgu@gmail.com, phone-9410127024 Paper presented by: Prasenjit Patari, Research scholar, Department of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, West Tripura (India)
ABSTRACT
Human and non-human primates are integral parts of nature but their proximity to food resources and habitat has become a survival threat to many non-human primates. The questionnaire survey was conducted in 6 villages of Sepahijala district from January 2021 to April 2021. Majority of individuals’ of these six villages belonged to middle SES. Significant number of respondent claimed that only Macaca mulatta, Trachypithecus phayrei Trachypithecus pileatus causes considerable damage to crops, household material and devour various fruiting plants throughout the year. Respondents use passive deterrence methods and active prevention methods so that the nonhuman- primate does not enter the crop field and the household. Due to the increase in rubber cultivation over the years, primates have been forced to change their habitat. Across the study area, all respondents supported the proposal to conservation of nonhuman-primate in that area and their request to the Forest Department to take a proactive role in this regard.