Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Large Mammal Hunting in a Changing Swidden System of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The hunting of wildlife is a contentious issue that conservationists see as the biggest threat to biodiversity. At the same time, forest-dwelling indigenous tribes depend on it for various socioeconomic and cultural needs. Lack of data on hunting offtakes, and spatial and temporal patterns of hunting have hindered a detailed understanding of these activities, especially in swidden landscapes. I documented spatial and temporal patterns of large mammal subsistence hunting among an Adi village of Arunachal Pradesh over 22 months. Results show that secondary forests and swidden fallows within 6 km from the village are critical areas for hunters, contributing 45% of hunted animals and accounting for 56% of total biomass extracted. This ‘garden hunting’ highlights the importance of swidden landscapes for hunters and anthropogenic fauna like barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and wild pig (Sus scrofa). Maintenance of swidden landscapes that allow garden hunting appears crucial to reducing hunting pressure on nearby undisturbed forests.