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Factors influencing livestock grazing in Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

P. Shukla,E. C. Rao,V. K. Mishra

Published 2025 in Discover Environment

ABSTRACT

Livestock grazing is a globally common land-use practice, impacting the micro- and macro-ecological dynamics. It is one of the most important managerial issues in the protected areas of India, which are home to most of the floral and faunal biodiversity of country. This study examines the intricate relationship between livestock grazing and factors within the Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, focusing on the extent of grazing and its correlations with socio-ecological variables. We performed Spearman’s rank, Pearson, and Kendall’s Tau correlation tests, coupled with fixed kernel density analysis, and gathered empirical insights into grazing patterns. Results reveal that 15.33% of the total area of the PTR, and 9.12% of its core area, is subject to livestock grazing. Correlation analyses unveil nuanced associations between grazing and demographic variables. While the number of families and livestock numbers inversely correlate with grazing within the core, the percentage of tribal population exhibits a positive correlation, underscoring socio-cultural dimensions of grazing practices. Furthermore, environmental parameters such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and elevation exhibit significant correlations with grazing patterns, indicating ecological preferences and constraints. This study highlights the critical need for holistic management strategies that factor in socio-demographic dynamics and stakeholder engagement in forest management activities for sustainable conservation practices.

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