Prioritizing human-wildlife conflict management strategies through importance-performance analysis: Insights from Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict affects the social-ecological systems essential for sustainable development. In human-dominated landscapes, effective management necessitates context-specific strategies that promote workable coexistence. This present study evaluates community perspectives on human-wildlife conflict management strategies through Importance-Performance Analysis in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. As a cost-effective and user-friendly tool, Importance-Performance Analysis helps protected area managers prioritize strategies and make informed decisions. Our findings reveal eight management strategies with significant importance-performance gaps, suggesting that park management is falling short in meeting both farmers’ and non-farmers’ needs. The graphical representation of Importance-Performance Analysis matrix visually identifies three high priority strategies—enhanced livelihood diversification skills, promotion of alternative livelihoods, and fast-tracked compensation schemes—that demand immediate action. The ANOVA results show varying perspectives between farmers and non-farmers across the park’s four management sectors (Kasara, Sauraha, Madi, and Amaltari), regarding the importance and performance of management strategies. This study demonstrates that Importance-Performance Analysis can be effectively adapted by protected area managers to evaluate and enhance management effectiveness from stakeholders’ perspectives, thereby balancing biodiversity conservation with community well-being and advancing the global goal of ‘living in harmony with nature’.