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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Study on impacts and mitigation of proposed mine and cement plant on Great Indian Bustard, its associated wildlife, and habitat near Ramgarh, Jaisalmer
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Dutta, S.; Kher, V.; Supakar, S.; Jangid, A.K.; Sindha, P.; Kundu, Y.; Aparna; Sen, S.; Dagur, T.; Gowda, Y.; Lawrence, S.; Pati, A.; Paul, I.; Phinehas, D.; Sundar, P.; Pandey, D.; Jadhav, M.; Moitra, M.; Gupta, S.; Dobhal, P.; Gupta, T.; Gopi, G.V.; Bhardwaj, G.S.
The aim of this study to conduct ecological assessments aimed at establishing the biodiversity values, assessing the potential direct and indirect impacts of the proposed mining and industrial activities, and developing evidence-based recommendations to guide sustainable coexistence between industrial development and the conservation of threatened grassland species
Status of the Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus and implications for its conservation
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Dutta, S.; Narwade, S.; Bipin, C.M.; Gadhavi, D.; Uddin, M.; Mhaskar, M.; Pandey, D.; Mohan, A.; Sharma, H.; Iyer, S.; Tripathi, R.; Verma, V.; Varma, V.; Jangid, A.K.; Chakdar, B.; Karulkar, A.; Lambture, B.; Khongsai, N.; Kumar, S.; Gore, K.; Jhala, D.; Vaidya, N.; Horne, B.; Chittora, A.; Annigeri, B.S.; Trivedi, M.; Jhala, Y.V.
Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) is an endangered agro-grassland bird whose ecology and status are poorly known that impedes conservation efforts. To fill this gap, a national status survey was designed by the Endangered Species
Recovery Program of Wildlife Institute of India and was jointly implemented with Bombay Natural History Society, The Corbett Foundation and State Forest Departments across the species’ breeding range. This report documents the
methodology of this exercise, and presents its findings on lesser florican’s distribution, abundance, habitat relationships, threats and their implications for conservation.2. We delineated lesser florican’ breeding range using informed digitization with the aid of MaxEnt distribution model, and inputs from local experts.We assessed the species’ status based on displaying males, using spatially representative sampling and analytical design that accounted for imperfect detection. Our assessment used hurdle modeling approach, where we: a) first estimated the species’ occupancy in 36 sq km cells using vehicle observation points (stop-overs), and b) estimated the species’ abundance at detected sites (subset of occupied sites) using line transect distance sampling. c) quantified habitat characteristics (land cover, vegetation structure and anthropogenic pressures) systematically along occupancy and distance surveys. d) explored and developed statistical relationships between habitat covariates and occupancy/abundance. e) mapped the species’ distribution, local densities and threats, to generate conservation priority map. We drew inferences at the scale of breeding range and eco-geographically defined regions and landscapes (Ajmer: Shokaliya-Kekri; Rest of Rajasthan : Shahpura, Jalore, Pratapgarh; Gujarat: Kutch, Saurashtra; Madhya Pradesh: Ratlam; Maharashtra: Akola-Washim). 3. The status survey was conducted during the breeding season (July– September, 2017) with a team of 121 observers, who were trained on the standard data collection protocol through state-level workshops at Bhavnagar, Ujjain, Ajmer and Akola. Lesser florican occupancy was assessed at 428 sites (36 sq km) spread across ~20,000 sq km range, using 5564 stop-overs, and density was assessed in 32 sites (where the species was detected) using 479 km transect-walks that yielded 70 sightings (64 males, 6 females).
Status and trend of Great Indian Bustard, associated wildlife and threats in Thar
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Dutta, S.; Bipin, C.M.; Anoop, K.R.; Uddin, M.; Shekhawat, R.S.; Jhala, Y.V.
Arid ecosystems of India support unique biodiversity and traditional agro-pastoral livelihoods. However, these habitats are highly threatened due to large-scale land-use changes and historical neglect of conservation policies. The Critically Endangered great Indian bustard acts as a flagship and indicator of this ecosystem, for which Government is planning conservation actions that will also benefit associated wildlife. Persistence of this species critically depends on Thar landscape, where ~75 % of the global population resides. Since 2014, Wildlife Institute of India and Rajasthan Forest Department have been jointly conducting scientific surveys to better understand the current status, distribution patterns, and local contexts of key conservation-dependent species in Thar for informing management actions. This study assessed the status of great Indian bustard, chinkara and fox alongside their habitat and anthropogenic pressures across 19,728 km2 of potential bustard landscape in Thar spanning Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan. Systematic surveys were conducted in 144 km2 cells from slow-moving vehicle along 17.9 + 3.9SD km transects to record species’ detections, habitat characteristics in sampling plots, and secondary information on species’ occurrences. Multiple teams comprising field biologists and Forest Department staff simultaneously and rapidly sampled 108 cells
along 1697 km transects in March 2014, 77 cells along 1246 km transects in March 2015,and 120 cells along 2273 km transects in March 2016. Sampling was carried out in two phases: extensive surveys to assess great Indian bustard occurrence across the landscape and intensive surveys to estimate their density in used cells. Great Indian bustard and other key species' detection data were analyzed in Occupancy and Distance Sampling framework to estimate proportion of sites used and density/abundance. Detection/non-detection data from multiple year surveys (2014-16) showed that great Indian bustard used 10.9 ± 3.4SE % sites (naive occupancy 8.4%). Bird density in used sites (cells where at least one bird was detected during 2015-16) was estimated at 6.5 ± 1.4SE /100 km2. Random sampling of the potential bustard landscape in Thar using line transect distance sampling yielded density and abundance estimates of 0.84 + 0.38 birds/100 km2 and 166 + 74 birds in 2016. During the surveys 38 (2014), 40 (2015) and 37 (2016) individual birds were detected. Bustard-habitat relationships, assessed using 5 multinomial logistic regression, showed that disturbances and level of protection influenced distribution in this landscape. Great Indian bustard occurrence in the landscape declined with distance from enclosure (regression effect size = -0.06 ± 0.02SE), human presence (-3.22 ± 1.52SE) and infrastructural intensity (-3.97 ± 1.61SE). Chinkara was found in 78% sites and its density at landscape-scale was estimated at 187.5 ± 25.1SE animals/100 km2, yielding abundance of 37,000 + 4970SE in 19,728 km2 area (2016). Desert and Indian fox used 60 ± 7SE % of sites, at densities of 14.35 ± 3.46SE desert fox/100km2 and 2.28 ± 1.19SE Indian fox/100km2 at landscape-scale, and abundances of 2830 ± 683SE desert fox and 450 ± 235SE Indian fox in 19,728 km2 area. Eleven percent of sampled cells were found to be of high conservation value, out of which, 62% cells were outside Protected Area. Although some of these 'unprotected' areas benefit from community protection or inviolate spaces created due to Army occupation, others continue to be threatened by hunting and unplanned land-uses. Our study provides robust abundance estimates of key species in Thar. It provides spatially explicit information on species’ distribution and ecological parameters to guide site-specific management and policy. Our questionnaires generated spatial patterns of community composition, livelihoods, livestock holdings and species’ occurrence reports that will help in designing community outreach and conservation programs. Thar supports the largest global population of great Indian bustard and offers the best hope for its persistence. This survey captured snapshots of great Indian bustard distribution that needs to be augmented with satellite telemetry based information on seasonal landscape use to mitigate threats. Based on results and field experiences, we strongly recommend: a) improving great Indian bustard recruitment in existing
enclosures using predator-proof-fences and nest-predator removal, b) creating more enclosures or conservation/community reserves in priority conservation cells, c) smart and intensive patrolling to control poaching and generate management information, d) targeted research to understand local ecology of great Indian bustard, characterize threats, and ranging patterns, e) addressing local livelihood concerns through social research, and f) engaging local communities to monitor and protect wildlife through outreach and incentive programs.
Status of Great Indian Bustard and associated wildlife in Thar
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Dutta, S.; Bipin, C.M.; Bhardwaj, G.S.; Anoop, K.R.; Jhala, Y.V.
Despite unique biodiversity values and dependency of traditional agro-pastoral livelihoods, arid open habitats of India are facing imminent risk due to our neglect and mismanagement. The Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) acts as a flagship and indicator of this ecosystem, for which Governments are planning conservation actions that will also benefit associated wildlife. Persistence of this species critically depends on the Thar landscape, where ~75% of the global population resides, yet their status, distribution and ecological requirements remain poorly understood. This study aimed at assessing the status of Great Indian Bustard, Chinkara and Fox alongside their habitat and anthropogenic stressors across ~25,500 km2 of potential bustard landscape in Thar spanning Jaisalmer and Jodhpur districts of Rajasthan. Systematic surveys were conducted in 144 km2 cells from slow-moving vehicle along 15-20 km transects to record species’ detections, habitat characteristics in sampling plots, and secondary information on species’ occurrence. Eighteen teams comprising of field biologists and Forest Department staff sampled 118 cells along 1924 km transect in March 2014. Species’ detection data were analyzed in Occupancy and Distance Sampling framework to estimate area of occupancy and density/abundance of key species. Our key findings were that Great Indian Bustard occupied 5.8 ± 4.4 % of sites, although information from local community questionnaire surveys recorded usage in 27% of sites. Bird density was estimated at 0.61 ± 0.36 /100 km2, yielding abundance estimates of 103 ± 62 in the sampled area (16,992 km2) and 155 ± 94 GIB in Thar landscape (25488 km2 area). During the survey, 38 individual birds were detected. Bustard-habitat relationships, assessed using multinomial logistic regression, showed that disturbances, level of protection and topography influenced distribution. Chinkara population occupied 91.0 ± 3.4% of sites at overall density of 378 ± 57 animals/100 km2 and abundance of 96,291 ± 14,556 in the landscape. Desert Fox population occupied 53.5 ± 8.8 % of sites, at overall density of 33.58 ± 8.17 animals/100 km2 and abundance of 8,558 ± 2,081 in the landscape. Seventy-five percent of priority conservation sites were outside Protected Area. Although some of them benefit from community protection, majority are threatened by hunting and unplanned landuses. This study provides robust abundance estimates of key species in the Thar landscape. It also provides spatially-explicit information on species’ occurrence and ecological parameters so as to guide in-situ site-specific management and policy. Thar landscape supports the largest global population of GIB with the best hope for the species’ future survival. Since this survey was a snapshot at GIB distribution, landscape-scale seasonal use information is lacking but critically required. A satellite telemetry based study should be urgently implemented to prioritize areas for conservation investment.
Status and trend of Great Indian Bustard associated wildlife, habitat and threats in Thar.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2026) Dutta, S.; Kher, V.; Jangid, A.K.; Uddin, M.; Supakar, S.; Gupta, S.; Lawrence, S.; Paul, I.; Pati, A.; Gurjar, M.; Dagur, T.; Sen, S.; Gowda, Y.; Sindha, P.; Moitra, M.; Kapadi, P.; Dobhal, P.; Bhardwaj, G.S.
This report presents findings from past and recent surveys to provide an updated account of population status, spatial distribution and habitat conditions of the GIB and associated fauna across the Thar landscape. It also evaluates the growing human footprint that fragments habitats and escalate species displacement and mortality risks. These findings aim to inform conservation management under the National Bustard Recovery Program, supporting population
recovery through conservation breeding, adaptive habitat management, grassland restoration and threat mitigation.