SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND LOCAL COMMUNITY PERCEPTION TOWARDS WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AROUND MANGLA DAM, AJK

The present study aims to determine socio-ecological profile of the local communities around the Mangla dam and their perception for wildlife protection and conservation. Socio-ecological data was collected by PHRIA (Participatory Human Resource Interaction Appraisals for the communities) methodology for determination of resource management, economy, human resource, education, demography and wildlife conservation perception of villagers from May, 2011- April, 2014. The seven villages i.e. Mohra Malkan, Panyam, Bohar Colony and Kharek were selected from Tehsil Mirpur while ThubJagir, Unah and Siakh were selected from TehsilDadyalfor this purpose. The 392 (158 female and 234 male) participants from populationof 18219individuals were interviewed fromselected villages. Highest literacy rate was observed in males as compare to females. 11.36% were involved in boating by profession, 10.8% were laborers at brick clink, 7.95% were fishermen, 6.81% were landowners and 21.5% were unemployed. 37% people were using public transport as main source of transportation, 24% were using motorcycles, 3% used animal driven carts and 5% were using cycle. Livestock keeping is also very common among villagers. People wanted to conserve the wildlife, 21.42% supported ban on hunting which is major cause of wildlife decline. 9.43% considered that local community should involve in ward and watch of wildlife. 12.75% demanded to improve the livelihood of the residents. 11.98% felt that education and awareness should be the integral part of conservation activities. The local people also thought that ecotourism should be promoted in area as source of income. The 18.87% community supported boating, 16.83% bird watch and 14.79% fishing as main attraction for tourists. The results also revealed that educated people were more concerned about wildlife conservation. Low literacy rate, unemployment, lacking of health care services, unsustainable fisheriespractices and lacking trained field staff increased the pressure on natural resources and wildlife. Conservation of wildlife on long-term could be accomplished by awareness of masses, ecotourism and proper management strategies. and their function for human stabilization environment.