LOCAL PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS AND KNOWLEDGE LEVELS ABOUT OWLS AND THEIR CONSERVATION TO COMBAT RATS IN THREE DISTRICTS OF BANGLADESH

The study was aimed to assess the knowledge, perception and attitude of people about owl and their conservation to combat rats. During the survey more than 90 people were asked to collect information regarding the owl population from three localities of Gazipur, Rajshahi and Jashore districts. The survey was conducted about the farmer's knowledge, attitude, and perception of owls to combat rats. The questionnaire was divided into different parameters viz., familiarity, owl awareness, misconception, food habits and conservation aspects of owl. Most of farmers (77.22 %) replied that they had seen only one species whereas 23.33% farmers reported on two species, 3.33% farmers reported three species. The familiarity of respondent about the spotted owlet, eagle owl and barn owl was 50%, 43.33% and 32.22%, respectively. More than 70 % gave positive and 28.89% gave negative response about owl. About 87.77% thought that owl had no harmful effect on human and the environment, only 14.44% thought owl is not good for us. Maximum respondent (93.33%) opined that they were known about the food habit of owl. Out of them cent percent opined that rat is the main food of owl. More than 76% respondent mentioned that public awareness can be an important tool for owl conservation whereas 15.55% mentioned on creating un disturbing habitat or reserve areas and only 7.77% respondent opined to encourae tree plantation program.