Attitudes of Local People Toward Wildlife Conservation: A Case Study From the Kashmir Valley

摘要: People’s attitudes toward wildlife conservation can significantly affect the success of initiatives. Understanding factors influencing these is essential for designing strategies to alleviate human–wildlife conflict. Although this topic has been studied extensively across diverse regions, there no such study in Kashmir Division Jammu and state, India. We surveyed 3 administrative units around Dachigam National Park through semistructured interviews (n = 384) investigate socioeconomic status local people, extent economic damage caused by wild animals, people’s conservation. Results, analyzed using a generalized linear model approach, indicated that about 75% respondents suffered crop damage, while 23% livestock predation animals. The majority expressed favorable wildlife, with only 16% expressing negative perception. Gender, livestock...