Transforming human wildlife conflict into opportunity : Hatti Beshar

Farmers in Madhuwan Municipality at Bardiya were frustrated as their crops were repeatedly destroyed by elephants, wild boars and other wildlife. Despite multiple attempts human-wildlife conflict persisted. In response to this issue National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) linked this conflict with opportunity.

But how ?

Here is the story:

To mitigate human-wildlife conflict in Madhuwan Municipality NTNC started an innovative approach ‘Hatti Beshar’.

Farmers from Madhuban-1, Kailashi who were struggling to protect their crops were encouraged to cultivate turmeric as an alternative crop. Through the Sahara Farmers Group they collect raw turmeric (haledo) and then took them into a processing unit ultimately producing the turmeric product labelling it into ‘Elephant Turmeric’.

Rice, mustard, wheat and maize are either eaten or destroyed by elephants, rhinos or other herbivores. However with NTNC’s intervention turmeric farming has proven to be a viable alternative to the farmers.

This initiative began when NTNC provided free turmeric seeds to farmers. Since elephants do not consume or damage turmeric, farmers found it to be a practical solution.

Currently 94 farmers from areas surrounding the national park are part of this initiative with 40 actively engaged in turmeric cultivation.

Since raw turmeric was difficult to sell directly and did not fetch a good price, NTNC provided technical support to purchase processing machinery. Now, turmeric is processed, packaged, and distributed in the market. At present, farmers produce and sell 600 quintals of turmeric annually.

By turning conflict into opportunity, these farmers have successfully marketed Elephant Turmeric, which is now available from Nepalgunj to Pokhara.

This is initiative can be anticipated to other wildlife conflicts prone areas and communities.