Public Opinion Regarding Human-Monkey Conflict in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Public opinion plays a vital role in the planning and management of wildlife. The present study explored the effects of habitat, residency, and gender on the opinions of people regarding human-monkey conflict in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. For this purpose an opinion survey of 400 participants was conducted on: (a) the intensity of man-monkey conflict, and (b) measures taken to resolve this conflict. A 2x2x2 factorial design with two levels of habitat (temple, bazaar), residency (resident, non-resident), and gender (male, female) was employed. The residents of Shimla perceived more man-monkey conflict and therefore felt greater need for its effective resolution , than the non-residents. The habitat and gender neither affected the intensity nor the measures taken to resolve the conflict.