WII Digital Repository
Established in 1982, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is an internationally acclaimed Institution, which offers training program, academic courses and advisory in wildlife research and management. The Institute is actively engaged in research across the breadth of the country on biodiversity related issues.
The Institute's idyllic campus that has been carefully developed to create state of the art infrastructure encourages scholarly work.
This Repository is the digital asset management system which integrates the intellectual output in the form of research articles, Theses and other scanned documents. This Repository facilitates the share and exchange of intellectual output of the institute.
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Assessment of altered land use pattern on the middle Ganga river hydrodynamics using Geospatial modelling
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Ali, Zeeshan; Hussain, S.A.
Molecular Phylogeny and Population genetic structure of Himalayan Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) in Himalayan region
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Saini, Deepesh; Vishnupriya, K.; Gupta, S.K.; Sathyakumar, S.
The Himalayan blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), commonly known as bharal, is a high-altitude caprine species endemic to the rugged terrains of the high Himalayas. Although classified as a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (JUCN), significant ambiguities persist regarding its taxonomic delineation and population structure. These uncertainties are further compounded by the paucity of comprehensive genetic data, particularly concerning populations within the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), where geographical isolation and environmental heterogeneity may have promoted evolutionary divergence. The present study aims to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships, genetic diversity, and population structure of Pseudois nayaur across its Indian range, with a specific focus on populations inhabiting the eastern and western Himalayas. Employing a molecular phylogenetic approach, this investigation integrates mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers-principally the cytochrome b gene, control region and the complete mitogenome-with nuclear microsatellite markers to assess lineage differentiation, historical demography, and gene flow. Non-invasive and ethically compliant sampling strategies were utilized to obtain biological material, ensuring minimal disturbance to wildlife. Laboratory analyses, including DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and sequencing, were followed by bioinformatic assessments using tools such as DnaSP, Arlequin, STRUCTURE, BEAST, and PopART. Phylogenetic reconstructions revealed distinct mitochondrial haplotypes between eastern and western Himalayan populations, suggesting limited gene flow and historical isolation likely driven by topographic and climatic barriers. The genetic differentiation observed was consistent with the theory of allopatric divergence facilitated by the orogenic and glacial history of the Himalayas. Furthermore, the study confirms the phylogenetic placement of Pseudois nayaur within the subfamily Caprinae, identifying close evolutionary affinities with Ovis and Hemitragus species while supporting its unique lineage status. These findings have important implications for conservation biology, as they suggest the existence of evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) that merit region-specific management interventions. The bharal's role as a herbivore and primary prey for apex predators such as the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) further underscores its ecological significance in alpine ecosystems.
Assessment of impacts on wildlife of Kedarnath Musk deer sanctuary due to helicopter services
(WII and Uttarakhand State Forest Department, 2017) Sathyakumar, S.; Bhattacharya, T.; Arya, S.; Iyer, B.; Kumar, Arun; Kumar, A.; Mondal, K.; Umapathy, G.; Mathur, V.B.
The Kedamath shrine is an important and famous Hindu religious site situated at 3 583 m near the source of the Mandakini River in Uttarakhand. For centunes, large numbers of pilgrims visit the shrine in the summer months. The stretch between Gaurikund and Rambara of the pilgrim route passes through the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary (WS). Helicopter services were initiated during 2~07 -08 to ferry pilgrims. In June 2013, devastating flash floods swept through the region, and almost half of the old pilgrim route was damaged, and a new slightly longer route was constructed. After 2013, the number of helicopters operating daily flights to Kedarnath shrine increased dramatically. Some of the local residents raised concerns over the potential impact on wildlife of Kedarnath WS due to high intensity sound produced by the helicopters. Based on the request from Uttarakhand State Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India carried out a study to assess the impacts of helicopter flights on wildlife of Kedarnath WS and to suggest mitigation measures. The Mandakini valley was selected as the main study site, where the helicopter flights operate. The adjacent Kaliganga valley, and Shokharakh area were taken as control sites. The sampling was carried out in Mandakini valley in two different study periods - September to December 2015 and April to June 2016; coinciding with the helicopter
flying period. Helicopter aviation data and noise levels in different elevation and habitat types were recorded in the Mandakini Valley to detect wildlife species presence, Trails (n=7) and vantage points (n=2) were sampled, and camera traps (11=23) were deployed. Comparative studies on wildlife species presence in Kaliganga Valley and Shokharkh (control sites) were carried out using trail sampling and camera trapping. Fresh faecal samples of wild mammals were collected from Mandakini Valley and the two control sites to analyse the levels of stress hormone using Enzyme Immuno-Assay procedure at the CCMB-LaCONES, Hyderabad. A detailed literature review was carried out on impacts of aircraft flights on wildlife carried out in different parts of the world to understand likely impacts on wildlife and various mitigation measures proposed. The results showed that May is the month when maximum number of flights operated
(305/day) in Mandakini Valley followed by June and October, as Sersi helipad is nearest to Kedarnath, the onward journey to Kedarnath from Sersi reached the lowest mean flight height (152.4 ± 6.11 m). Noise levels recorded from six recording sites in Mandakini valley had a mean well above the 50 dB upper noise limit for silence zones. Negative correlation (R2 = 0.33 and 0.25) was observed between flight height and noise level for open coniferous and broadleaved forest. Presence of 20 mammal species (carnivore-8, ungulate-7, primate-2, rodent- 2, lagomorph-l) and five galliformes species (pheasants-3, partridge-2) has been confined from the study area. In. general, the study area is. already exposed to immense anthropogenic pressure (pilgrimage, constructions, etc) It is very difficult to decouple the effects of helicopter flying and other anthropogenic disturbances. Based on the findings of this study and a perusal of published information on Impacts of aircraft flights on wildlife the following conclusions are arrived at: ' I. All the commo~ wildlife species of Kedarnath WS are present in Mandakini valley. The comparison among the photo-capture rates of different wild animals depicts the consistent use of available habitat in the Mandakini valley despite a high level of helicopter operations.
2. Some wildlife species altered their activity pattern to either crepuscular or nocturnal due to the cumulative effects of anthropogenic pressures in this area mostly in the form of pilgrimage and associated human activities. However, in the case of Himalayan monal pheasant, there was a marginal overlap in peak activity period with that of peak helicopter operations. 3. Results of stress hormone studies are in-conclusive due to low sample sizes. However, the results can be used as baseline for future comparative studies on similar investigations pertaining to helicopter flight impacts on wildlife. 4. Taking the above three observations into consideration, it appears that most of the mammals have adapted to the anthropogenic disturbances in Mandakini valley. However, repeated observations in the future would be needed to draw robust conclusions. 5. There is a high negative correlation between flying height and noise levels and the current levels of noise due to anthropogenic activities and helicopter flights. Thus, prescribing a minimal flight height would be useful to reduce the noise levels. 6. Helicopter sorties ranged from 2 to >300 flights per day in Mandakini Valley.
Since most of the mammals appear to have adapted to this level of noise, it should not be allowed to go beyond the current levels of helicopter flights. Therefore, efforts has to be made to ensure that the upper limit for number of flights per day does not exceed 300 flights/day.
The study recommends the following measures: 1. Restricting helicopter flight heights to at least 600 m (2000 ') with the exception of take-off and landing times. This would help in reducing noise levels in the area. 2. Monitoring the helicopter operations with regard to adherence to the prescribed heights will be required. This could be done using laser distometers or lidar guns or set up an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Monitoring of impacts of helicopter flights on wildlife could be carried out on a regular basis (every 3 to 5 years) including stress hormone studies so that a comprehensive database can be developed for rigorous statistical analysis 3. As a long-term measure, passenger ropeway for transportation of pilgrims as educe pilgrim foot falls in the trekking path to the shrine and helicopter services. The passenger ropeway will not require building a motorable road through the Kedarnath WS as all the material and machines required for building ropeway could be transported by air using specialized helicopters.
Monitoring of reintroduced Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh Phase II Final report
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Nigam, Parag; Habib, B.; Nasir, M.; Navaneethan, B.; Sankar, K.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), located between the Vindhyas and the Eastern -- flanks of Satpura hill ranges in the Central India, supported a small population of gaur «40 individuals) till 1995. This population went locally extinct in 1998. Disruption of the migratory corridor between the forest of Bandhavgarh and Ghunghuti and Amarkantak was one of the factors attributed for the local extinction of gaur from Bandhavgarh. Even after the extinction of the gaur from the area, Bandhavgarh provided an excellent habitat for gaur. A proposal for reintroducing Gaur in BTR was initiated by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department with support of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and & Beyond (previously known CC Africa). Gaur were reintroduced in Bandhavgarh form Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) in two phases with first batch of 19 individuals during January 2011 and second batch of 31 individuals during March 2012. Of the total of 50 individuals, 27 individuals were fitted with radio collars and monitored continuously. Monitoring of the reintroduced population was facilitated by the WII through a collaborative project titled "Monitoring of Reintroduced Gaur in Bandhavgarh - Phase I (2011-15)" The objectives of Phase I included studying the ranging pattern, habitat use and feeding habits of reintroduced gaur in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and provided newer insight into lesser known aspects of gaur biology, behavior and ecology. The present study (Phase II) was carried out from April 2015 to March 2018, covering all the seasons in a year. The objective of the Phase II were to study the ranging pattern, habitat use, feeding habits, health considerations and competition of reintroduced gaur with other ungulates (Chital, Sambar and Nilgai) and camp elephants. A total of four different gaur herds were identified based on the presence of radio collared individuals and physically identifiable attributes of select individuals to study the ranging pattern of reintroduced gaur. During the study period a total of 1277locations were recorded from identified herds (n=4). During October and November
2017 six individuals (two males and four females) were fitted with collar (TELONICS VHF transmitters) and intensively monitored. The obtained radio-locations were plotted in ArcGIS 10.1. Minimum Convex Polygon (100% MCP) and Fixed Kernel Density (50% & 95% KFD) method were used to calculate home range of different gaur herds along different seasons (summer, monsoon and winter).
Assessment of wildlife values of the Ganga river from Bijnor to Ballia including Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) WII
Freshwater ecosystems, especially riverine systems, give rise to unique habitat mosaics, which support distinctive biodiversity and provide substantial ecosystem services, creating a strong imperative for their protection and restoration. They are being impacted globally by divergent but frequently concurrent processes including water pollution, over-fishing, alteration of natural flow regime, invasive species, climate change and human-induced habitat loss. These dynamic systems are often poorly protected, and require conservation measures through systematic planning. Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) is widely considered as the most influential paradigm to identify and bring areas under
protection through effective planning and spatial prioritization. The SCP requires an evaluation of sites for their biodiversity values, habitat heterogeneity, habitat dynamics, and existing human-induced habitat alteration factors. The Ganga River is the lifeline to more than 500 million people as it flows through five riparian states. It also harbours a unique assemblage of biodiversity due to its passage through three distinct biogeographic zones and unique habitat mosaics. Apart from nurturing umbrella species like the Gangetic river dolphin, otters, gharial and muggel; the Ganga River basin is recognized as a Global Turtle Priority Area and a Turtle Biodiversity Hotspot. With the aim of protecting and
consel1'if7g the diverse array of biota and their habitats, a 7 km stretch of the Ganga River between Rajghat (Malviya Bridge) to Ramnagar Fort in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh was declared as the Kachhua Vanyajiv Abhyaranya (Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary - TWS). Although declared a protected area, increase in riverbank agriculture, river traffic, water pollution through sewage and solid wastes are posing a threat to the biodiversity of TWS and the river-riparian habitats. High human disturbance in the form of cultural-religious activities are influencing the biological values of TWS. Considering the above, a rapid assessment study (March- July, 2018) was conducted in the TWS to evaluate its efficacy as a protected area; and to identify areas for effective biodiversity conservation. Stretch of the Ganga River between Bijnor to Ballia in Uttar Pradesh was evaluated following Systematic Conservation Planning approach. The objectives of this study were (1) Assessment of habitat structure of TWS and to detect changes over time, (2) Evaluation of efficacy of TWS and adjoining riverscape as a refugia for species of conservation concern; and (3) Prioritization of the Ganga River
stretches with mosaics of riverine habitats for conservation planning. A spatial assessment using remote sensing data for the period 1974 to 2016 revealed no significant changes in river channel and sand deposition in the TWS. However, -28% increase in the vegetation cover was observed which could be attributed to the protection accorded to the riparian areas by the Forest Department compared with an expansion of agricultural areas on the landward side.
Out of 13 species of turtle reported from Ganga River, only 5 species were encountered during the field sampling with the combined efforts of visual encounter surveys and in-stream sampling using gill nets and box traps within the TWS and upstream and downstream of the Sanctuary limit. Very low encounter rate of turtles in TWS indicates high human disturbance leading to habitat alterations within a very small Protected Area. Sites along the TWS in the left bank are seen to have the least suitable habitat for turtles with high anthropogenic disturbances such as cemented ghats, intense ferry and boat activity, pollution, and human presence along the river. The sand bar in the right bank of the TWS, though is an excellent habitat for turtles and breeding birds, is also under severe anthropogenic pressure. Out of64 species offish reported/rom the Middle Ganga stretch. a total 0/45 species belonging to 38 genera, 16 family and five orders were recorded during the sampling period. The fish catch was higher inside TWS as compared to upstream and downstream o/the sanctuary and this could be attributed to prohibition o/fishing within the Sanctuary limits.
A total of28 species of birds were observed, of which four species were of threatened categories as per the IUCN Red List. Nests of breeding birds were not observed from the TWS due to high biotic disturbance. A nesting site of the Indian Skimmer was identified at approximately 6 km upstream of the Sanctuary. Five pairs of Indian Skimmer and 14 pairs of Little tern, 4 pairs of River Lapwing a Near Threatened Species were observed/rom the vicinity. A rapid assessment of wildlife values was conducted in the entire stretch of the Ganga River falling within Uttar Pradesh and priority areas were identified through a scoring matrix. Kruskal's Multidimensional Scale analysis described the habitat parameters that influence species distribution. These parameters were sand mining, channel depth. fishing activities, presence of village/town and riverbed agriculture. Channel depth is the only factor which is positively influencing species distribution. Based on the scoring matrix, the highest biological value was attributed to a river stretch within the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, followed by the stretch from Brijghat to Narora, which is notified Ramsar Site. In addition to these, moderate biological value was assigned to the stretch downstream of Newada till Ballia. Habitat characteristic score (channel depth, meanders and river islands) was high in the downstream of Allahabad, till Ballia as this stretch persistently maintains high depth classes, meanders and river islands representing a complex mosaic of habitats. The anthropogenic influence scores was almost similar in the entire stretch from Bijnor barrage to Ballia as the river bed agriculture was prominent in the upper stretch. whereas fishing, sand mining, and human settlements were prevalent in the lower stretch of the river. The stretch between Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary and Narora already enjoys the protected area status. In spite of the protected status, TWS scored low due to its small size and high human disturbance. Based on the combined scores, a 140 Ian stretch downstream Newada in Allahabad district to Adalpur in Mirzapur district has been considered as the priority stretch for conservation. It is suggested that this area may be brought under the purview of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 by declaring it as a wildlife sanctuary for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity of the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh. Since the ecological characteristics and wildlife values vary along this 140 Ian stretch on account of anthropogenic pressures, harmonization for excluding some areas having high anthropogenic pressures on account of intense cultural-religious uses may be required, and to be done by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department.