Browsing by Author "Nigam, Parag"

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A Checklist of Waterbirds of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Maharashtra, India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Chattrjee,Nilanjan; Habib, Bilal; Davate, Madhura; Dashahre, Anil; Nigam, Parag; Trivedi, Mukul; Garad, G.P.; Sinha, Vinay K.
A Conservation Translocation Success Story: Gaur Supplementation in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Kumar, Gorati Arun; Vishwakarma, Ritesh; Bhadari, Bhaskar; Sharma, Gurudatt; Nanda, Rakhi; Verma, Prakash Kumar; Sahay, Anoop; Krishnamoorthy, L.; Sen, S.; Habib, Bilal; Mondol, Samrat; Nigam, Parag
Activity Patterns and Food Habits of the Phayre's Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei) in Free-Ranging and Captive Conditions in Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, Tripura
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Lama, Pragya Aishwarya; Tyagi, P.C.; Nigam, Parag; Sankar, K.
Maintenance of ex-situ populations of species threatened with extinction is a potential tool for ensuring recovery. Ex-situ conservation efforts though ongoing in India have been minimally documented. The present study aimed to fill gaps in information on the activity patterns and food habits of the endangered Phayre's leaf monkey (Trachypitheclis phayrei), a specialist feeder primarily a foliovore. This aspect was studied both in free-ranging and captive conditions. The study site posed a unique feature wherein the captive study species was located only ill one zoo all. over India which also happened to be within its geographical area. Thus, the Sepahijala Zoological Park (SZP) situated within the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary (SWLS), Tripura was chosen as a study site. It was hypothesized that the activity patterns obtained from both the settings would be similar and that the nutrient composition of the food items consumed in wild and offered in captivity would not be much different from each other. A reconnaissance survey was carried out in which the available population, troop size and composition of Phayre's leaf monkey was assessed in both, the SWLS arid SZP. A IS-minute 'scan sampling' was conducted from dawn to dusk for studying the activity patterns of the troop selected for observation in the wild (after habituation) and in captivity. The activity data was analysed keeping in mind different age and sex categories within the wild and captive troops and across the two different settings. Chi square test was used to test for significant differences inactivity patterns within and across the captive and wild troop. The food habits (plants, plant parts and frequency eaten) of the Phayre's leaf monkey were studied on the basis of scans obtained as well as casual observations of the other free-ranging counterparts. Eaten food plants were identified and nutrient analysis was done for positive and negative nutrients after collecting and drying the samples from the field. Subsequently, it was processed at the laboratory in Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. The nutrients analysed were compared using the independent samples t-test.
An Assessment of select anthelminthes on parasitic control and health status of captive cervids.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Das, Garga Mohan; Nigam, Parag; Chakraborty, Debashish
The study was carried out for a period of six months between November 2006 to May 2007. The reconnaissance survey was carried out at seven deer arks in the states of Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh during November 2006. Based on the initial survey three deer parks were selected and intensive sampling was carried out to assess the parasitic load, carryout anthelmintic trials and study impact of anthelmintic treatment on behaviour and condition of animal December 2006 to May 2007
An Overview of Avian Influenza in Waterbirds
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) R., Lakshminarasimha; Nigam, Parag
Assessing Prevalence of Parasitic Diseases at Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii) Livestock Interface at Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Talukdar, Animesh; Nigam, Parag; Pandav, Bivash
The interaction between wildlife, livestock and other domesticated animals is existent since the domestication of species. This has seen an increase in recent past owing to increased anthropogenic dependence on natural habitats. The domesticated animals, maintained at high population densities, have the potential to act as reservoirs of disease for wild animals. Parasitic infection both micro and macro; in wildlife at the wildlife - livestock interface, can affect conservation efforts by "spillover" and "spillback". Combined with other stressors, disease in wildlife can impact reproduction, survival and fitness, thereby affecting abundance and diversity of wildlife populations. Especially vulnerable are species with limited abundance and range. Macro-parasites especially the helminths, flukes and various ectoparasites have life cycles characterized by distinct life stages and are opportunistic In nature and can infect a large number of host species. The present study focuses on interactions between Swamp deer and livestock at two sites namely the jhilmil Jheel (JJ) in the Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Area, Haridwar Forest Division and and Jadi Tal (JT) in the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary. Swamp deer is a vulnerable, flagship deer species from the Indian subcontinent, with distribution restricted to isolated localities in north and central India and parts of southwestern Nepal (Qureshi et al. 2004). Therefore any factor exacerbating threats for population decline of the species need careful evaluation. This work is a first structured parasitic prevalence study at Swamp deer - livestock interface, from two of the eight prime locations (Jhilmil Jheel Conservation reserve and Kishanpur Forest Division) reported for the northern population of swamp deer in India. The study included an estimation of population size of swamp deer and livestock and their space use patterns. Coprological examination of both swamp deer pellets and livestock dung was used to assess the prevalence and load of gastro-intestinal parasites. The result revealed that population of Swamp Deer was 153 and 435 ; while livestock counts were 84 and 35 respectively for Jhilmil Jheel and Jadi Tal during the stud) period. At Jhilmil Jheel a significant spatial overlap was observed between the two groups was observed at Jadi Tal. The overall prevalence of parasitic ova in the dung sample of swamp deer and livestock population was higher at JJ as compared to JT (Swamp deer 15.38% and 12.69% and Livestock 95.4% aand 60% respectively). The parasitic ova reported from both the sites included Strongyles, Trichostrongyle (direct life cycle), Amphistomes; Fasciola; and Moniezia (mediated through intermediate host).Difference was observed for the parasite species richness and prevalence between swamp deer and livestock at Jhilmil Jheel and Jadi Tal. Parasitic ova with simple life cycle dominated over the parasites, with intermediate hosts at Jhilmil Jheel. Analysis of parasitic load based on Mc Master's technique (Soulsby , 1982) revealed significantly higher load of parasitic ova at Jhilniil Jheel in swamp deer as compared to Jhadi Tal
Assessing the physiological stress in gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) during translocation: Final Project Report.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Farooqui, H.N.; Rajput, N.,; Jawre, S.; Vishwakarma, R.; Bhandari, B.; Habib, B,; Krishnamoorthy, L.; Dubey, A.; Om, H.; Sengar, A.; Nigam, Parag
To assess the impact of capture and translocation on animals, it becomes imperative to study the associated risks and possible negative effects, if any. These effects can be determined by evaluating physical, physiological and behavioural effects on animals at the time of capture,
Assessment of Livestock Diseases as an Indicator of Risk to Greater One Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Manas National Park Assam
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Phukon, Debabrata; Nigam, Parag; Ramesh, K.
Disease ecology is a fast emerging discipline in wildlife conservation. There is particular interest for mega herbivore-livestock interface issues. Diseases also play a role in structuring the demography and viability of the wild population, and this could be addressed by quantitative knowledge on the emergence, spread, persistence and evolution of infectious diseases. Re-introduced wild populations mimic the small population which are vulnerable to stochastic events and disease impacts. The present study focuses on reintroduced population of Greater One-homed Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and their sharing of habitat with livestock in Bansbari Range of Manas National Park (MNP), Assam. It was hypothesised that the interaction of rhinos with livestock has potential to contract diseases from the livestock population, and therefore the diversity and magnitude of disease prevalence in livestock is likely to pose serious threat to the rhinos. The study quantified disease distribution pattern and commonality between livestock and rhino population and map disease gradient in MNP during the period (Jan-April, 2013). The study design involved, (a) sampling of livestock for disease prevalence in the fringe villages, (b) mapping of zone of influence (ZO I) of livestock in the park by tracking livestock movement and sampling on systematic plots, and (c) analysis of livestock husbandry practices in the context of disease prevalence. A total of 110 dung and serum samples collected from 11 villages were Subjected to parasitological examination, disease diagnosis and screening for blood parasites. 10 transects were walked from the periphery to interior of the park and 46 plots were laid to quantify dung density distribution as a surrogate for disease risk. Rhino dung sample was collected from 9 fresh dung sites inside the park for screening of parasitic load and to understand the commonality between livestock and rhinos. The threat to rhino population was measured as an index, given by disease prevalence x livestock use intensity. Of the 110 biological samples collected from 110 livestock in 11 villages, 91 % of animals showed antibodies against one or other infectious agents. Serodiagnosis report confirmed the presence of antibodies against infectious diseases viz. Blue tongue, Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Chlamydiosis, however were negative for Leptospirosis in livestock sampled. ZOI as measured from the fringe villages to forest interior ranged from 500m to 3.5kms (avg. dist. 2kms), and accounted for I9sq.kms. area. Interpolation results of dung density indicated significant variation of livestock use within ZOI, with high usage contributed by Gyatigaon followed by Katajhar and Rajabeel. Based on the dung analysis of rhinos, parasitic ova of Paramphistomum sp. and significant load of protozoan Balantidium coli was observed. The study established wide prevalence of disease in the livestock. Given that the ZOI of livestock in MNP includes home range of rhinos, the rhino population is likely to be under disease risk and conservation efforts needs to incorporate disease perspective for recovery efforts and long-term viability of rhinos in MNP.
Conservation breeding of Western tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) in Himachal Pradesh: Reproductive biology, behaviour and habitat suitability
(Wildlife Institute of India and Wildlife Wing of Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, 2014) Ramesh, K.; Nigam, Parag; Lakshminarasimha, r.; Upadhyay, V.; Bose, S.; Dhiman, S.; Mohan, L.
The study on the captive population was initiated to address various issues faced by the captive population and to develop science-based methods for the management of this species in captivity. The in-situ study aimed at generating information concerning the population status in the wild in the state of Himachal Pradesh, generate distribution maps for the species and identify potential sites for reintroduction. The overall project goals were to assist in the establishment of a “reserve” population of the species in captivity targeted at reintroduction and to map potential habitats where reintroduction can be planned. The specific objectives of the project were to: a) Maintain a studbook with information on genetic and demographic parameters. b) Record breeding chronology and growth pattern. c) Assess nutrition, body condition and stress factors. d) Determine activity budget and vocalizations. e) Carry out field surveys to estimate the population status in wild. f) Undertake Population Viability Analysis to determine suitable founder populations and reintroduction strategy. g) Monitor and study the habitat occupancy, behavior and population growth of released birds.
Development and maintenance of studbooks of selected endangered faunal types in the Indian Zoos. Final report
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and Central Zoo Authority, 2012) Nigam, Parag; Srivastav, A.; Tyagi, P.C.
Effect of village relocation on ground birds and small mammals in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Mondal, Rakesh; Goyal, S.P.; Nigam, Parag
1) Conservation related resettlement has been practised in India from 1960' s. However, studies related to the effect of village relocation on wildlife are limited. 2) Exploitation of natural resources by resident communities causes direct negative impact on native fauna and flora. These activities may include extraction of natural resources (fodder and fuel) or competition for the available resources by existing livestock with native fauna. Alterations in the vegetation structure can result in alteration of the bird community in these areas. 3) Galliformes is one such taxon that has been documented to be affected by human disturbance and grazing. These species are good indicators of habitat quality as they are solely dependent on the ground layer for food and cover. 4) There are 29 villages inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve and a relocation effort initiated as early as 1966 provides an excellent opportunity to study its effect on wild fauna and flora. 5) The study was carried out in four sites, with two sites where villages had been relocated 50 years (Slopka) and 10 years back (Bhagani); one site where village had been partially relocated (Sukola) and one where the village still existed The primary objective was to understand the influence of village relocation on Ggalliformes, small mammals and small carnivores. Additionally, vegetation structure at each village was also studied to understand influence of village relocation on natural vegetation.
Evaluation of prey availability and habitat suitability for tigers and its ranging patterns in Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Ramesh, K.; Sankar, K.; Kumar, Deleep; Nigam, Parag; Qureshi, Qamar; Raman, K.; Rajasekar, R.; Chaudhuri, Sankarshan; Sundaram, Snehaa; Hazra, Poushali
Tiger conservation in human dominated landscape such as Sanjay Tiger Reserve (STR) has always been challenging for the managers and conservation planners. Anthropogenic factors have affected the area negatively, causing habitat degradation, depletion of prey base and unviable tiger population. STR is considered to be low density tiger population area and require recovery strategy, involving translocation from other areas, since natural colonization is not possible to boost the population to viable state. As a precursor to active population recovery, the project was conceived and implemented to establish baseline on prey availability and habitat suitability for tigers, which also involved understanding ranging patterns of tigers using radiotelemetry. Prey availability in terms of density of wild ungulate was estimated and was found to be low (8.2 ± 0.8 animals per km2), but there is an increasing population trend during the study period (2014- 2017), largely owing to active protection measures. Amongst the wild ungulates, density of chital was the highest (3.0±0.6/km2) followed by wild pig (2.0±0.6/km2), nilgai (1.8±0.3/km2), chinkara (1.1±0.3/km2) and four horned antelope (1.0±0.4/km2). Livestock (11.6±5.5/km2) was the most abundant animal using the reserve throughout, also contributing to prey base to some extent. Home range of one radio-collared adult male tiger was estimated to be 208.6km2 during May 2015 to July 2015 and the animal got killed to a territorial fight with another male tiger. Similarly, home range of radio-collared (captive-raised) tigress was estimated to be 154.1 km2 during October 2016 - May 2017. Exploring large areas could be attributed to limitation of mate choice and a depleted prey base. Habitat suitability of tiger was assessed based on habitat covariates and it was found that 44% of the total area of tiger reserve is potentially suitable habitat in the current status of prey availability, but the suitability can increase to 61% if prey base can be restored in other areas of the reserve. Carrying capacity of tiger was determined for STR based on the current prey density. It was found that STR can support 11 tigers in this present situation. Population Viability Analysis (PVA) with the carrying capacity of 11 tigers and current population (four individuals, one adult male, two adult females and one juvenile) of tiger in STR showed a poor survival probability (0.12 ±0.03) over a time span of 25 years. However, given the availability of habitat space and potential to increase prey base, doubling of carrying capacity from 11 to 22 tigers is possible with a supplementation of two tigers in every three years until year ten and it will ensure very high survival probability (0.87±0.03). Active recovery strategy should target the futuristic carrying capacity and management actions would have to be geared towards this. In this context, active population recovery and long-term monitoring strategy has been proposed towards successful population recovery and establishment of viable tiger population, along with other habitat covariates.
Freshwater Turtles oflndia: Status and Management in Captivity
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2009) Srivastav, Anupam; Nigam, Parag
Indian National Studbook of Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Srivastav, Anupam; Malviya, Manjari; Tyagi, P.C.; Nigam, Parag
Milestone in the Mega-herbivore conservation: The Gaur Reintroduction In Sanjay Tiger Reserve
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Nigam, Parag
Movement of Radio-collared tigers in the Eastern Vidarbha Landscape, Maharashtra, India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Habib, Bilal; Nigam, Parag; Hussain, Zehidul; Ghaskadbi, Pallavi Surendra
To understand the movement ecology of tigers in the Eastern Vidarbha Landscape, focusing on individual patterns of space use in general, utilization distribution in different areas and landscape, spatio-temporal activity and effect of environmental features on animal movement, the point-wise objectives are as follows: 1. To understand the movement of tigers that drives population connectivity on a landscape scale and effect of environmental features on dispersal. 2. To validate the modeled corridors and identify new functional corridor and habitats in a highly dynamic landscape. 3. Directly aiding effective conservation and management of tigers beyond the Protected Area (PA) system as a result of real-time data from radio-collars.
National studbook of Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and Central Zoo Authority, 2014) Nigam, Parag; Nilofer, B.; Srivastav, A.; Tyagi, P.C.
National Studbook of Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Malviya, Majari; Srivastav, A.; Nigam, Parag; Tyagi, P.C.
National studbook of Pig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Nigam, Parag; Nilofer, B.; Srivastav, A.; Tyagi, P.C.
National studbook of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Nigam, Parag; Srivastav, A.; Nilofer, B.; Tyagi, P.C.