PhD Theses (WII)
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Item Influence of pastoral practices on wild ungulates in Upper Gori Valley, Western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Bhattacharya, Ankita; Rawat, G.S.; Habib, BilalThe alpine meadows of western Himalaya have been used for livestock grazing by a large number of agro-pastoral communities for several centuries (Tucker 1986). Five distinct pastoral practices are prevalent across the alpine landscape in the western Himalaya: nomadic, semi nomadic, nuclear transhumance, trans-migratory and sedentary (resident). Trans-migration (seasonal altitudinal movement by the entire family along with the livestock) is practiced mainly by the Bhotiya communities in various parts of Uttarakhand, such as Byans, Darma, Johar and the upper basins of Alaknanda and BhagirathiItem Ecology of alpine arid pastures with special reference to livestock grazing in upper Dhauli valley, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya.(2018) Mitra, Monideepa; Adhikari, B.S.; Rawat, G.S.Pastoral practices have been in existence in the alpine region of the Himalaya since millennia.The region is characterized by the presence of diverse pastoral practices such as sedentary, nuclear trans-humane, semi-nomadic, and nomadic pastoralism. These practices have strongly influenced the vegetation and ecology of the alpine rangelands, including local biodiversity. The region is broadly divisible into two distinct eco-climatic zones, viz., a moistal pine zone of Greater Himalaya and cold arid zone of Trans-Himalaya. These zones differ considerably in terms of physiognomy, species composition, history of livestock grazing and their ability to withstand grazing pressure. The objectives of the study were (i) To study the patterns of livestock grazing in the study area, (ii) To assess resource use by livestock, (iii) To assess the pasture quality (floristic) and quantity (biomass) in the study area, and (iv) to assess overlap in resource use between wild ungulates and livestock. The study was conducted in Upper Dhauli valley, situated in the cold arid region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (hereafter NDBR; 30º 08’-31º 02’N, 79º 12’- 80º 19’E) in Uttarakhand. The study was conducted in 2012 and 2014Item Ecology and management of the alpine landscape in the Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim, Himalaya(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Tambe, Sandeep; Rawat, G.S.In Sikkim the villagers practice a mixed livelihood strategy earning their income from agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. Livestock such as yak, cow, sheep, horse, buffalo and goats are grazed in the forests and alpine meadows of the state. During the beginning of the 20th century the forests of the state were demarcated and the Khasmahal and Goucharan forests were specifically set aside to meet the fodder and firewood demands of the villagers. The The genesis of this study lies in this conflict, wherein it was realized that a sound understanding of the ecology of the alpine meadows and pastoralism was needed to ensure effective management of these unique and fragile environments. It is with this objective that the present research study titled “Ecology and Management of Alpine Landscape in the Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim Himalaya” was initiated in 2004 which would evolve a long term conservation plan for the alpine zone of KNP. The study spans over a large spatial scale covering all the major watersheds of KNP and aims to bridge the knowledge gaps related to structure and composition of the alpine vegetation, alpine landscape characterization, sustainability of pastoralism, conservation strategy and co-management experiments. The purpose of the study is to provide a scientific basis for the long term conservation and sustainable and equitable use of the resources of the alpine zone of KNP to promote sustainable development in the state. The significance of the study is based in its ability to contribute in the formulation of a conservation plan for the alpine zone of KNP and a rational pastoral policy for the Sikkim Himalaya.Item Ecological studies on the grassland of Eravikulam National Park, Kerala.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1998) Karunakaran, P.V.; Rawat, G.S.An ecological study on the. montane grasslands of Eravikulam National Park (ENP), the Western Ghats, was conducted during 1992-1996, with the following objectives: (i). to prepare a complete floristic inventory of the grasslands of ENP, (ii). to identify the grassland communities, their structure, function and successional trends along the anthropogenic gradient, (iii). to determine the forage quantity in different ecological conditions and (iv). to study the effect of fire and tree plantations on the grasslands. 2. The ENP lies between 10° 5’ to 10°20’ N and 77° to 77°10’ E with an area of 97 km2 in the Southern Western Ghats. The study recommends the following research and management strategies for the long term conservation of Shola-Grassland ecosystems and endangered Nilgiri tahr: (a) inclusion of adjecent reserved forests with shola-graslands in the park, (b) boundary verification and better patrolling to check the illegal activities and fire hazards, (c) early burning in selected areas on experimental basis, (d) control of black wattle spreading, (e) ecodevelopment measures for the Lakkamkudi village, (f) better tourism management and (g) long term monitoring of exclosures and representative shola-grassland patches.Item A study on the vegetation of shivaliks and outer himalaya in Dehradun dun district Uttar Pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1996) Bhaisora, N.S.; Rawat, G.S.The subtropical zone or Bhabar tract in north India, characterized by fertile alluvial plains (Doons) and fragile Shivalik hills of Tertiary period, lies between the Upper Gangetic plains and outer Himalaya revealing the floral and faunal affinities with both the regions. Extensive cultivation, dense human population, industrial developments and livestock grazing in this area has caused fragmentation and degradation of forests. Of about 40,000 km2 only < 2000 km2 area has been brought under protected area (PA) coverage e.g., Rajaji and Corbett National Parks. The remaining forests continue to degrade. 2. Sal (Shorea robusta), a commercially "important tree, IS considered as climax species in this tract and has been studied extensively. However, there is a paucity of information on the overall conservation status and regeneration of forests in this area. Therefore present study was, undertaken with the following objectives: i) to study the structure and composition of the woody vegetation (tree and shrub layer) along the gradients of altitude and human use in Shivaliks and outer Himalaya, ii) to study the species diversity and human-animal use patterns in various zones, and iii) to assess and compare the regeneration status of Sal and associated tree species in the Shivaliks and outer Himalaya. 3. The study was conducted within about 500 km2 area in the lower parts of Debra Dun district, Uttar Pradesh (290 57' to 310 20' N lat and 770 35' to 190 20' E long). The study area also included parts of western Rajaji National Park, westerns Shivalik Forest Division, forests in Doon Valley, protected forest patches adjacent to Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Indian Military Academy (IMA) , Forest Research Institute (FRI), Upper parts of Rajpur, Malsi and mine reclamation sites near MussoorieItem Agro-Pastoral Practices and their impacts on Wild Mammals in Ladakh, Indian Trans-Himalaya(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Raza, Mohd; Rawat, G.S.; Namgail, T.This study was conducted in Western Ladakh to address the status of current agro-pastoral practices and possible impacts on the wild mammals. Barley and wheat are primary crops whereas alfalfa and oats are cultivated as fodder crops. Sheep, goat and cow are major livestock types. Communities belong to balti and purig ethnicity. Elevation ranges from 2600 – 7000 m. Vegetation comprises wet meadow, steppe, riverine and scrub. Himalayan brown bear, Asiatic ibex, Ladakh urial, musk deer and long tailed marmot are major wild mammals. Major objectives of the study were to study (i) the current status of agro-pastoral practices in the region, ii) vegetation structure and composition in the rangelands intensively used by domestic livestock, iii) habitat use and time budget wild mammals especial long tailed marmots iv) livestock killing by large carnivores in western Ladakh. Field work was conducted during 2017 -2020 in different seasons and valleys. In order to analyse the recent trends in agro-pastoral practices we used questionnaires and informal interviews with the local people ((519 respondents) in all the valley covering Chiktan (56), Suru (227), Drass (117), Shayok (39) and Gya – Meru (39). Data were collected on demography of the pastoral communities, livestock holding pattern, dependency on rangelands and drivers of changes in the region. Likewise, for objective 2) vegetation sampling was carried out in Drass Valley in varying level of livestock grazing intensity from June – August (2018 and 2019). We laid 245 quadrates, comprising 90 in low, 88 in medium and 67 in high grazing areas. We recorded number of species in each quadrat in addition to overall vegetation cover. We also recorded aspect, slope, elevation and landscape type for each quadrat laid in the area. Plants were identified in field using field guides and were authenticated by the supervisors. Habitat use data on marmot were collected from 51 colonies in two valleys whereas data on marmot behaviour was collected from Drass valley. Overall 88 households were interviewed in the valley. Households were randomly selected and data on number of livestock, livestock killed, season, time and place of occurrences were collected. Attitude of respondents with respect to carnivore was also assessed. We observed declining trend in agriculture and livestock production practices in the region. Ten crop types are cultivated in the region. Barley is cultivated in all the valleys whereas oats is a new addition. Crops such as buckwheat, wheat, peas and lentils has been abandoned by many households. Likewise, livestock population and herd size has decreased. Field work was conducted during 2017 -2020 in different seasons and valleys. In order to analyse the recent trends in agro-pastoral practices we used questionnaires and informal interviews with the local people. The local communities perceive that there is a decline in traditional agro-pastoral practices in the study area during past 2-3 decades and an increase in sightings of wild mammals in the study area. Also, they perceive increase in population of Ibex and bear which are widely distributed in the region. We did not have enough sightings on mammal in the summer except for marmots in the region. Sighting on ibex were mostly in winter season. Therefore, impacts of low use of livestock on ibex populations could not be ascertained. We observed difference in vegetation cover and species richness across varying level of livestock intensity. Decrease in vegetation cover and species number, irrespective of all bio physical parameters was observed in high grazing areas. It signifies the impact of livestock grazing with implication on habitat use by mammals.