Spatial distribution characteristics of human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Besitang

Abstract

The conflict between humans and wildlife tends to increase lately, especially the human-elephant conflict (HEC). The high level of human activity around the forest causes an increase in the rate of forest destruction. The opening of agricultural land in and around the forest, causing the elephant habitat to become narrow so that the elephant looks for new space to move to community land. HEC occurs when elephants and humans fight over the same resource. The purpose of this study is to obtain information on the characteristics of the spatial distribution of human-elephant conflict in Besitang. The method used in this study is the analysis of HEC points overlay with several biophysical variables using GIS. The results of this study show that the distribution of HEC occurs mostly in sloping areas with low topography and areas relatively close to forests, plantations / agricultural communities, settlements, and rivers.