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Neumann-Denzau, G.; Denzau, H.
Examining certain aspects of human-tiger conflict in the Sundarbans forest, Bangladesh
2010  Tigerpaper (37): 1-11

The high level of disturbance by forest resource users seems to provoke man-eating behaviour among local tigers, despite all other aspects mentioned before. Therefore, the number of tiger victims can only be reduced if less people enter the forest. Poverty is the most dominant factor for which all types of resource extractors are involved in their present jobs. When asked about what steps should be taken to reduce threats to the Sundarbans the most common answers were: stop illegal tree felling; enforce laws; create alternative jobs; and increase supervision. About 91% of the Sundarbans resource extractors expressed positive responses in favour of their interest to be involved with alternative jobs; then they would not need to go into the forest (SPCP Baseline Study, 2001). Shyamnagar upazila as the hot spot of human-tiger conflict requires particular attention. The socio-economic and ecological situation of this problem zone will be examined in greater detail in a forthcoming paper. One of the most important issues for the locals here is juridical help for regaining control over the utilization of the land, now widely leased for shrimp production. The conversion of rice fields into shrimp farms in the previous decades has been associated with serious negative environmental and social impacts. The land is suitable for a sophisticated mixture of agriculture, aquaculture and tree plantations as a source of alternative incomes. The required reformation of land use should be as eco-friendly and labour intensive as possible. It needs to be accompanied by additional measures such as the construction of solid embankments, efficient drainage systems, ponds or tanks for rainwater harvest, the introduction of salt-tolerant crops, investments into education and training, and a general improvement of the infrastructure, which could inspire the foundation of new enterprises for the benefit of human resources. Keeping people out of the tiger's habitat can be achieved by human resource management in addition to forest resource and wildlife management. The separation of tigers and humans in the Sundarbans forest is not only a question of nature conservation, but also a question of humanity.

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