The Role of Protected Areas in Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict: A Case Study of Leopards in Margalla Hills National Park

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a growing challenge in conservation, particularly in urban-adjacent protected areas where human encroachment disrupts wildlife habitats. Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), Islamabad, Pakistan, serves as a critical refuge for the common leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), but increasing habitat fragmentation, livestock predation, and human encounters have intensified conflicts between leopards and local communities. This study examines the effectiveness of protected areas in mitigating human-leopard conflicts, using GIS-based habitat analysis, camera trap data, community surveys, and historical conflict reports to identify high-risk zones and key conservation challenges.

Findings indicate that leopard movement is influenced by habitat fragmentation, prey depletion, and seasonal variations, with conflict incidents peaking in summer when livestock grazing overlaps with leopard movement routes. The highest number of leopard sightings and conflict reports were recorded in peripheral zones of MHNP, including Trail 5, Daman-e-Koh, and Saidpur. Community perceptions toward leopards remain largely negative, with 50% of survey respondents viewing leopards as a direct threat, and only 30% supporting conservation initiatives. Economic losses from livestock attacks and the absence of compensation programs are significant factors driving retaliatory killings and opposition to leopard conservation.

Based on these findings, this study recommends establishing buffer zones, strengthening eco-tourism initiatives, implementing structured compensation programs for livestock losses, and deploying GPS tracking systems for leopard monitoring and conflict prediction. By integrating scientific research with community-based conservation strategies, this research provides a data-driven framework for reducing human-leopard conflict while ensuring sustainable wildlife management in protected areas of Pakistan.