Buffer zone delineation for rhinoceros protection with the application of a remote sensing and geographic information system in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal | |
| Author | Adhikari, Tika Ram |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.SR-97-1 |
| Subject(s) | Conservation of natural resources--Nepal--Royal Chitwan National Park Remote sensing--Nepal--Royal Chitwan National Park |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. SR-97-1 |
| Abstract | Spatial referencing and managing resources data is increasingly important for sustainable development. The increased population pressure on limited agricultural land has exasperated many economic and environmental problems. Buffer zone development surrounding national parks can increase a park's ability to protect biological resources and provide subsistence and income generating activities for local people. The main objective of this research is to advance a methodology for protected area management through the delineation of a buffer zone with the application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System integrated it with socioeconomic information. A major problem considered for buffer zone delineation is the crop depredation by rhinoceros in the vicinity of Royal Chitwan National Park. The amount of crop loss was quantified through household survey. It was assigned in monetary value and a log linear model of monetary value against distance was proposed by using distance from the park boundary to the farm fields. The range of distance was buffered through the capabilities of Geographic Information System to give the potential economic loss range in a spatial context. The area of loss was overlaid with a current land use map of the depredated agricultural fields derived from Remote Sensing. The potential economic loss range derived from overlay was used to propose different categories of buffer zone. The result indicates that forest area was converted into agricultural land during the period of 1978-1990. It is also found that the economic loss decreases with increased distance from the national park boundary as the encroachment of rhinoceros on farmland decreases with increasing distance. The results also demonstrate the impact of increased human activities on the preferred habitat of rhinoceros that is equally important to the park manager to determine the impact of possible encroachment. The economic loss to the farmers is significantly high compared with annual income of the national park. Buffer zone management should be designed to help to settle the crops raiding problem by rhinos. The promotions of tourism program in buffer zone I, repellent crop cultivation in buffer zone II and as usual cultivation . with provision of machan ·in buffer zone ill are recommended strategies to minimize the loss. Small credit programs to landless people and skill development programs for lower and middle class people would be better to support people living in the buffer zone. An increment of entry fee and the use of the extra revenue in the buffer zone would be one strategy to overcome the economic loss caused by rhinos. |
| Year | 1997 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. SR-97-1 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Space Technology Application and Research (SR) |
| Chairperson(s) | Honda, Kiyoshi |
| Examination Committee(s) | Kaew Nualchawee;Mather, Robert J. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DAAD, Germany |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1997 |