Evaluation of economic loss caused by Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) in agricultural land of district Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract The Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) is a vertebrate pest of agricultural lands and forest. study was aimed to report the damage local crops by in Muzaffarabad District. A survey conducted identify porcupine-affected areas assess crop farmers district Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) from May 2017 October 2017. Around 19 villages were surveyed, sum 191 semi-structured questionnaires distributed among farmers. Crop found highest village Dhanni where destroyed 175 Kg/Kanal crops. Regarding total magnitude loss, Danna Koomi kot most affected areas. More than half (51.8%) respondents area suffered economic loss within range 101-200$, (29.8%) people losses 201-300$ annually. Among all crops, maize (Zea mays) be damaged ranging between 1-300 Kg In area, also inflicted lot damages some important vegetables, including spinach (Spinacia oleracea), potato (Solanum tuberosum) onion (Allium cepa). It estimated that, on average, 511Kg vegetables are every year land Muzaffarabad. concluded that has devastating effect agriculture which an source income food for community. Developing effective control strategy with help government Wildlife department could overcome this problem.