Identification and crop damage assessment of indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) in selected zones of Abbottabad, Pakistan

Abstract Indian crested porcupine is the largest rodent pest that damages a wide variety of crops, vegetables, and tree species which ultimately causes huge economic loss in Pakistan, an agricultural country. It prefers to live hilly terrain but common temperate tropical forests, shrublands, grasslands. This study focused on identification assessment crops damaged along with main precautionary measures used by local farmers. The data was collected from twenty-four villages two union councils i.e. Chamhad Slahad district Abbottabad. Two types (primary secondary) were area. Primary for estimation calculation total crop through direct field observation taking random quadrates each village damage assessed randomly selecting quadrate 1x1 m2 wheat, pearl millet, Sorghum fields. While 4x4 taken maize vegetables. At least three samples including one center In council Chamhad, (11.31%) wheat (0.73%) while Salhad, (6.95%) (1.6%) observed. entire area, overall (8.01%) (0.88%) calculated. Based information obtained farmers, inflicted potato, tomato, cauliflower, chili pepper, turnip, radish, pea, onion, etc. Secondary questionnaire survey explore human conflict farmers landowners. Open close-ended questionnaires (159) highlighted presence area 96% respondents have seen directly. Many such as fencing, night stay, firing, dogs decrease damage, (63.91%) use guns hunting. however, due largely nocturnal behavior majority (51.57%) did not any measure. Biological control recommended Farmers should be encouraged provide incentives killing current banned proper hunting license issued overcome overhunting. Scientific studies are required reproduction specifically more areas.