The main threats to mammals in the study area
Human activities have threatened mammals and their habitats in the study
area. During the present study period, according to those who responded
(27.5%), there was the extension of farmed land, which are the major
threats observed in the area. Whereas, (7.5%) of the respondents felt
that expansion of settlement were another threat (Figure 7). During the
transect walk, evidence of illegal logging for fuel wood, construction
materials, grazing by livestock, encroachment, extensive agricultural
expansion, and charcoal production from both plantations and natural
forests were observed. People in and around the study area seemed to
have unrestricted access to cut trees of their interest because it is a
source of revenue generation for the poor. Trampling and grazing by
livestock were commonly observed during the survey period.
4. DISCUSSION