Economic impact assessment

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 83 views

Community Perception and the Value of Economic Losses Against the Sumatran Elephant Conflict (Elephas Maximus Sumatra) in the Buffer Village of the TNGL Area SPTN VI Besitang

Introduction

The Sumatran elephant (Elephas Maximus Sumatra) is a critically endangered species, threatened with extinction due to various human activities such as deforestation and habitat destruction. The conflict between humans and elephants is increasing, especially in areas where human activities have led to the conversion of forest functions into agricultural land and settlements. This study aims to explore public perception of the existence of elephants, find effective mitigation solutions to overcome conflict, and assess the economic losses caused by the conflict.

Background

The Sumatran elephant is a unique and fascinating species that plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature. However, their population is declining rapidly due to various human activities such as deforestation, poaching, and habitat destruction. The conflict between humans and elephants is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive understanding of the social, economic, and environmental factors involved.

Methodology

This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining observation and interviews with the local community. The interview was conducted using a questionnaire distributed to respondents randomly selected based on the 5x5 km² grid. The results showed that only 11 respondents (20%) claimed to be directly affected by conflict with elephants, while 43 respondents (80%) did not have an impact.

Results

The results of this study showed that the community suffered a significant economic loss due to the conflict with elephants. Over the past three years, the community suffered a loss of Rp 58,000,000.00, with the smallest loss recorded at Rp 500,000. This shows that although most people do not feel the direct impact of conflict, for those who are affected, the losses experienced are quite significant.

Discussion

Elephant conflicts with humans in the buffer village of the TNGL area SPTN VI Besitang are not only environmental problems, but also have broad social and economic impacts. People who rely on agriculture as a main source of income are very vulnerable to disturbances from these wildlife. When elephants enter agricultural land, they can damage plants and result in a small amount of financial losses.

The use of cannons of spiritus as one of the mitigation methods shows that people try to find practical and safe ways to deal with this conflict. However, it is important to note that long-term solutions must include broader conservation efforts and the development of alternative income for the community. For example, by introducing sustainable agriculture and ecotourism, people can not only protect natural resources but also improve their welfare without having to sacrifice the existence of wildlife.

Conclusion

Understanding the perception of society and assessing the value of economic losses from conflict between humans and Sumatran elephants is an important first step to deal with this problem. By involving the community in efforts to conservation and mitigation of conflict, it is hoped that a harmonious environment will be created between humans and wildlife, as well as economic sustainability for the local community.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Community-based conservation: The community should be involved in conservation efforts to protect the Sumatran elephant and its habitat.
Sustainable agriculture: Sustainable agriculture practices should be introduced to reduce the impact of elephant conflicts on agricultural land.
Ecotourism: Ecotourism should be developed to provide alternative income for the community and promote the conservation of the Sumatran elephant.
Education and awareness: Public education and awareness programs should be implemented to promote the importance of the Sumatran elephant in the ecosystem and the need for conservation efforts.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited scope: This study only focused on the buffer village of the TNGL area SPTN VI Besitang, which may not be representative of other areas with similar conflicts.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Long-term monitoring: Long-term monitoring of the Sumatran elephant population and its habitat should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
Community engagement: Community engagement and participation in conservation efforts should be increased to promote the conservation of the Sumatran elephant.
Economic impact assessment: The economic impact of elephant conflicts on the community should be assessed to inform policy and conservation efforts.

References

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (2020). Elephas maximus sumatranus.
WWF. (2020). Sumatran Elephant.
Ministry of Environment and Forestry. (2020). Conservation of Sumatran Elephant.

Appendix

Questionnaire used in this study
List of respondents
Data analysis and results

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Q&A: Community Perception and the Value of Economic Losses Against the Sumatran Elephant Conflict (Elephas Maximus Sumatra)

Q: What is the current status of the Sumatran elephant population?

A: The Sumatran elephant is a critically endangered species, with a population of less than 1,000 individuals in the wild. They are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

Q: What are the main causes of human-wildlife conflict in the buffer village of the TNGL area SPTN VI Besitang?

A: The main causes of human-wildlife conflict in the buffer village of the TNGL area SPTN VI Besitang are the conversion of forest functions into agricultural land and settlements, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Q: What are the economic losses suffered by the community due to the conflict with elephants?

A: The community suffered a significant economic loss due to the conflict with elephants, with a total loss of Rp 58,000,000.00 over the past three years.

Q: What are the mitigation methods used by the community to deal with the conflict with elephants?

A: The community uses various mitigation methods, including the use of cannons of spiritus, to deal with the conflict with elephants.

Q: What are the long-term solutions to address the conflict with elephants?

A: Long-term solutions to address the conflict with elephants include broader conservation efforts and the development of alternative income for the community, such as sustainable agriculture and ecotourism.

Q: What is the role of education and awareness in addressing the conflict with elephants?

A: Education and awareness play a crucial role in addressing the conflict with elephants, as they promote the importance of the Sumatran elephant in the ecosystem and the need for conservation efforts.

Q: What are the recommendations for community-based conservation of the Sumatran elephant?

A: The recommendations for community-based conservation of the Sumatran elephant include:

Involving the community in conservation efforts to protect the Sumatran elephant and its habitat.
Introducing sustainable agriculture practices to reduce the impact of elephant conflicts on agricultural land.
Developing ecotourism to provide alternative income for the community and promote the conservation of the Sumatran elephant.
Implementing public education and awareness programs to promote the importance of the Sumatran elephant in the ecosystem and the need for conservation efforts.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include:

Small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited scope, which may not be representative of other areas with similar conflicts.

Q: What are the future research directions for addressing the conflict with elephants?

A: The future research directions for addressing the conflict with elephants include:

Long-term monitoring of the Sumatran elephant population and its habitat to assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
Increasing community engagement and participation in conservation efforts to promote the conservation of the Sumatran elephant.
Assessing the economic impact of elephant conflicts on the community to inform policy and conservation efforts.

Q: What are the references used in this study?

A: The references used in this study include:

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (2020). Elephas maximus sumatranus.
WWF. (2020). Sumatran Elephant.
Ministry of Environment and Forestry. (2020). Conservation of Sumatran Elephant.

Note: The Q&A article is based on the provided markdown text and has been rewritten to make it more readable and SEO-friendly. The article includes headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make it easier to read and understand.