The agriculture–wildlife relationship in India is a multidimensional one, ranging from serious conflict situations to varying levels of tolerance and coexistence. Changes in land use patterns and the population explosion have resulted in increased proximity between humans and wildlife. Birds, however, are generally welcomed by farmers for their many useful roles in agriculture.

It is increasingly evident that a way has to be found for humans and wild fauna to live together, ideally in mutually beneficial situations. This book explains the need for a multi-sectoral, locale-specific approach to mitigate distress and to encourage an agreeable relationship between humans and animals. It examines the complexities of the problems concerning conflict and looks at examples of harmonious co-habitation. It is hoped that this work will be useful for agriculturists, wildlife conservationists, students and NGOs working in this field, and also stimulate interest among government policy makers and implementation agencies.

Tara Gandhi is a conservationist and ornithologist who studied under Dr Sálim Ali with a fellowship from BNHS-India to pursue her Masters in Field Ornithology. She has authored the books Rajasthan Vegetation Index and Birds and Plant Regeneration, edited A Bird's Eye View -The Collected

Essays and Shorter Writings of Sálim Ali and has worked with the Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development,World Wildlife Fund, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, WildlifeTrust of India and the Commonwealth Secretariat, London on conservation programmes. She has also surveyed wildlife protected areas in India, including in the Andaman & Nicobar islands and in Lakshadweep.

Preface and Acknowledgements iii

PART I

ASPECTS OF HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT AND COEXISTENCE

Chapter 1: The Relationship between Birds, Wild Animals and Agriculture in India

Chapter 2: Causes of Conflict

Chapter 3: The Effect of Agriculture–Wildlife Conflict on Farming Families

Chapter 4: Threats to Wildlife in the Agricultural Landscape

Chapter 5: Resolving Wildlife–Agriculture Conflict and Promoting Coexistence

Chapter 6: Building Capacity and Raising Awareness

Chapter 7: Policies and Strategies to Prevent Conflict

Chapter 8: Overview of Crop-protection Methods Commonly Used in India

PART II

BIRDS AND AGRICULTURE

Chapter 9: Many Dimensions of the Bird–Agriculture Relationship

Chapter 10: Farmer’s Friends—Birds that are Beneficial to Agriculture

Chapter 11: Threats to Birds Beneficial in Agriculture and Conservation Issues

Chapter 12: Crop Damage by Birds

Chapter 13: Protecting Crops from Bird Damage

Chapter 14: Conserving and Encouraging Birds Beneficial in Agriculture

PART III

COMMON WILD ANIMAL CROP DEPREDATORS

Chapter 15: Monkeys

Rhesus Macaque

Bonnet Macaque

Hanuman Langur

Chapter 16: Ungulates

Indian Wild Boar

Nilgai or Blue Bull

Chital or Spotted Deer

Blackbuck 154 Gaur or Indian Bison

Chapter 17: Asian Elephant

Chapter 18: Indian Crested Porcupine

PART IV

CASE STUDIES

Bird Case Studies

Bird and Animal Case Studies

Animal Case Studies

Bibliography

Appendix

Index