Blue bull in Study area

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The research entitled “Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus): Demography, Carrying Capacity, Conflict and Participatory Conservation Action Plan in Lumbini Development Trust’s area” was carried out to estimate the population of Blue bull (Nilgai), analysis the carrying capacity of Lumbini Development Trust Area for Blue bull population and asses the level of conflict through crop damage by Blue bull and its impact in local livelihoods surrounding the LDT area.

Study was carried out by using direct field survey and questionnaire survey. Direct population count was done in transect line. Vegetation survey was carried out in Blue bull habitat, using sample plots of 10m X 10m for tree layer, 1m X 1m for the herb layer and Carrying capacity (CC) of Nilgai was calculation by dividing potential area by ESSR (Ecological sustainable stocking rate). Participatory conservation action plan was prepared in a participatory way.

Potential area for Blue bull was 5.14 sq km within the LDT area. Forty one Nilgai were counted in study area. The population density of Blue bull in LDT area was 8 individual/sp.km and sex ratio of male and female is 2:3. Approximately 79 percent of the area was plantation forest and remaining 21 percent area was grass and open land. The dominant species was Sissoo followed by Jamun, Saguwan etc. Carrying capacity of the LDT area was 125 numbers of Nilgai for this season. High quantity of Rice crop was damaged by Nilgai followed by wheat, mustard, maize and lentil, black gram, pigeon pea. Total crop damage in the surrounding area up to one km from the LDT area was estimated as 1154 quintal which was equivalent to NRs 1103595. The main threats for the population of Blue bull inside the LDT area were over grazing, hunting, fire wood collection and grass cutting etc. Barbed wire fencing should be erected around the LDT area for the controlling to movement of nilgai outside the Trust boundary in farmland. Public awareness programme should be initiated to disseminate conservation education to the local villagers about the importance of wildlife resources. Participatory Conservation Action plan must be implemented for better management of Nilgai and other wildlife in the study area.
Key words: Carrying Capacity, ESSR, Conflict, Crop damage, Demography.(Nepalese currency Nrs 1= $70)