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