Browsing by Author "Gogoi, Keshab"

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Factors Governing the Spatial Distribution and Density of Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) in Gir Protected Area
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Gogoi, Keshab; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar
This study is based on population estimation and spatial distribution of Asiatic lion.
Land, lion and locals: Understanding the distribution of lions and large carnivore human interactions in the Greater Gir Landscape of Saurashtra
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Gogoi, Keshab; Jhala, Y.V.
Apart from the Gir Protected Areas, Asiatic lions inhabit various coastal forest patches in Mangrol, Veraval, Kodinar, Mahua, and Rajula-Jafrabad areas. They also reside in Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) and within human-dominated landscapes across Amreli, Junagadh, and Bhavnagar districts (Mitiyala WLS), as well as along the Shetrunji river, Hipavadli, Palitana, and Shihor. However, the presence of extensive townships, linear infrastructure, and urban development has led to the fragmentation of lion populations. This fragmentation restricts the efficient exchange of individuals across the matrix of multi-use human-dominated landscapes. Historical corridors that once connected hills, forests, and lion habitats, including protected and un-classed forests, have largely succumbed to agriculture and human settlements. To address this pressing issue, it is crucial to identify and conserve existing habitat corridors that connect these lion patches. Failure to do so could exacerbate repropuctive isolation, leading to genetic bottlenecks and reduced genetic diversity within lion populations. To tackle this challenge effectively, I utilized Circuitscape theory to model connectivity among habitat patches in the Saurashtra landscape at a scale of 1km². Additionally, I employed least-cost pathway tools to determine the shortest pathways with the least total costs. My analysis revealed varying levels of permeability among different lion habitats. For instance, the permeability between the coastal forests of Veraval-Sutrapada and Rajula with Gir PA was found to be high. Similarly, coastal patches around Mahua taluka exhibited high permeability with forest patches around Palitana. However, the permeability between Girnar and Gir Forest was moderate, indicating the need for interventions to maintain suitable lion movement. In the eastern part of the Gir protected area, there is notable connectivity between Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary and Gir, as well as other habitat patches along the Shetrunjay river. By prioritizing the identification and conservation of these critical habitat corridors, we can enhance connectivity among lion populations, mitigate the risk of genetic isolation, and safeguard the long-term survival of Asiatic lions in the Saurashtra landscape
Spatial analysis of livestock predation by lions in the Greater Gir landscape
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Jhala, Y.V.; Singh, A.P.; Gogoi, Keshab; Chakrabarti, S.; Singh, P.; Nala, R.R.; Kumar, S.; Karuppasamy, T.; Sakkira, B.; Ram, M.; Gandhi
Data on livestock kill by carnivores (lion and leopard) were collected from the districts of Junagadh, Amreli, Gir Somnath and Bhavnagar, accounting for 914 villages between 2012-13 to 2016-17. These data were further translated into English, digitized and spatially mapped in GIS. We obtained remotely sensed as well as spatial covariate layers of forest cover, lion refuge patches, drainages and nigh-light intensity. We conducted a fixed Kernel analysis of spatially explicit livestock predation events at the village resolution to obtain a consolidate “predation risk map” of the landscape on a relative scale and used it for subsequent analysis. The tehsils of Jafrabad, Gir gadhada, Amreli, Dhari, Khambha and Rajula recorded highest livestock predation by lions. A temporal increasing trend was observed for number of lion-predation events as well as in the spatial extent of predations. More importantly the intensity (number of livestock kills/village/year) of livestock predation showed an increasing trend (R2= 0.73, P= 0.06, slope = 15 % (SE 0.05)), this suggests not only an increase in the spatial extent of the conflict but also a substantial increase in the magnitude of conflict within the same spatial extent. A logistic regression, given by: Ln Odds Ratio (occurrence of lion predation) = -0.16 + 0.76 * distance to forest + 0.54* distance to lion habitat; (Wald’s p < 0.05). The increasing trend in the extant and intensity of livestock predation by lion was indicative of an increasing lion population but of concern in maintaining the tolerance of local communities towards lions co-existing with them. A significant deficit between the market rate and compensated amount for lion predation (R² = 0.74, p=0.06) was observed with an increasing trend. As a management strategy we recommend a revision of compensation rates to match the market price and an efficient system to pay compensation promptly. Improved husbandry practices and, as well as managing lion density below social carrying capacity is recommended. This would help maintaining tolerance towards lion under an increasingly conflict scenario.