Role of stakeholders in conservation of one horned rhinoceros in the world famous Kaziranga National Park: An analysis

Background/Question/Methods Stakeholders are all those who need to be considered in achieving research  goals and whose participation and support are crucial to its success. The goal is to develop a strategic view of the human and institutional landscape, and the relationships between the different stakeholders and the issues they care about most. Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is of special conservation importance, and plays a key role in India’s  growing eco-tourism industry. Abundant in the past, this rhino population now faces a multitude of threats, the most serious of which is poaching for valuable rhino horn. The main aim of this research was to carry out a stakeholder analysis in order to determine who has a stake in the welfare of rhino population of  Kaziranga National Park. Survey   was conducted in ten different villages in the buffer zone of the Park. . Tourists' attitudes towards national parks and eco-tourism in Assam, (India) , as well as their opinions on forest and wildlife conservation, were also examined. Finally stakeholders were engaged in different ways in the various stages of the project, from gathering and giving information, to consultation, dialogue, working together, and partnership. 

Results/Conclusions

 Stakeholder analysis revealed that there are five major stakeholders in the KNP buffer zone: i) landless/marginalized households, ii) farmers, iii) tourism and related sectors, iv) visitors and non-users and v) government/NGOs. Each group represents different interests with regard to park management and rhino conservation. Loss of crops and livestock presents a major management problem around the KNP buffer zone in the view of local farmers. Non-farmer groups, pledged to be rhino herders if the government provided them with job opportunities. Local poachers explained that they were looking for alternative sources of income to avoid being involved in such a risky business. Despite some negative impacts on their livelihoods, local people valued rhinos and equated them with national wealth. They believed rhinos have a right to co-exist with surrounding population. The discrete choice experiment conducted confirmed that all stakeholder groups found the proposed management scenarios more attractive than the status quo. Most respondents were in favour of compensation for rhino-related damage, and supported a community development program funded by parks revenues. Interestingly, the general preference for these compensatory measures peaked at about 50%, indicating that either respondents do not require full compensation, or they do not believe higher amounts would be forthcoming. The various stakeholder groups reacted as expected.