PhD Theses (WII)
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Item An ecological study on nesting patterns and Behavioural dynamics of vultures in Kangra valley, Himachal pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Bhattacharya, MalyasriVultures are nature’s most efficient scavengers, playing a critical role in maintaining ecological balance. Their populations in India have suffered a drastic decline from 97-99% between 1993 and 2002, leading to the establishment of captive breeding programs aimed at species recovery. Threats of decline have now stabilized, but little is known about the ecology and survival of the vultures in the wild, necessitating this study for the conservation of vultures in their natural habitat. Kangra Valley, situated in the westernmost region of Himachal Pradesh state in India, is one of India's important vulture sites, supporting most of the nine vulture species recorded in the country. Among these, the White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis), and Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus) are the most observed, while the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), and Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) are recorded occasionally. Kangra is also one of the most densely populated districts of Himachal Pradesh, with an extensive road network, contributing to anthropogenic pressures on vulture populations. While the region has a long history of vulture census efforts, aspects of their breeding ecology remain poorly understood. Why do they select a particular tree for nesting? What are the variables that affect nest site selection? What is the nest success rate? Where do they move, and what is their home range? What are the threats? This study, conducted between 2019 to 2024, focuses on the breeding ecology of White-rumped Vultures in Kangra, examining their nesting preferences, reproductive success, threats to nesting colonies and spatial movements. Additionally, the research explores the climatic niche availability for all nine vulture species found in the region, assessing current and future climatic scenarios to predict potential habitat suitability. The Chir Pine forests of Kangra serve as the breeding habitat for White-rumped Vultures in the region. The breeding season of the White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) in the area extends from November to April, encompassing mating, incubation, hatching, and fledgling development, lasting approximately 25-28 weeks (October—April). Over three consecutive breeding seasons (2021-2024), the study recorded 17 active nesting colonies with a total of 617 active nests, primarily in Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) trees. Nest site selection was influenced by tree characteristics, with vultures preferring trees with a larger girth at breast height (GBH) (average GBH of 254.8 cm + 49.3 SD), lower canopy cover (5-10%), greater shrub density (77-100%), and proximity to other nesting trees and water sources. Conversely, areas with high fire activity, dense canopy cover, and limited nearby trees were found to be less suitable. In addition to breeding ecology, the study identified 36 carcass dumping sites in the region. These sites, managed by local communities, serve as designated areas for livestock carcass disposal, primarily for cattle and buffalo. The carcasses are transported from households to the dumping sites by local cobblers, locally known as "Harijans." The decline of open carcass disposal areas has posed further challenges for vulture populations. To understand movement patterns, five wild White-rumped Vultures were satellite-tagged in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, in 2021. The tagged individuals exhibited extensive movements, ranging across Jammu & Kashmir, the Pakistan border near Punjab, and Uttarakhand. Three of these vultures have consistently nested in Dolba and Lapiana within Kangra between 2021 and 2024. The study recorded an average home range of 1367.6 km? for non-breeding individuals and 1719.8 km? for breeding individuals across seasons. The future distribution for the nine vulture species shows a significant decline in the modeled climatic niche for seven vultures by 2041-2060 and 2061-2080. The study identified electrocution, forest fires and poisoning as major threats, with notable vulture fatalities recorded. Major forest fire-prone areas include Gopalpur, Pathiar Range, Lunj, and Baranj Sirmani. This study offered insights into India's largest documented aggregation of 617 White-rumped Vulture nests. The study recommends targeted conservation interventions to ensure the long-term survival of White-rumped Vultures. These include the protection of nesting sites, preservation of old-growth forests, and support for cobbler communities engaged in carcass disposal. Additionally, designated vulture feeding stations within forested areas should be established. Given these findings, the study proposes designating the region as a Vulture Safe Zone, suitable areas for releasing captive-bred vultures with continuous monitoring. Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoEFCC) have to come up with guidelines to declare a vulture safe zone as well as a strategic conservation plan to safeguard this critically endangered species.Item Detecting climate change impacts through soil bacterial communities in Alpine regions of Gangotri National Park, Western Himalaya(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Bhattacharya, Pamela; Rawat, G.S.The proposed study aims to use molecular data to understand the ecology of bacterial community including variation in their diversity, composition and functions in response to climate warming in alpine region of Gangotri National Park, western Himalaya. Earlier to this study, knowledge regarding the ecological traits of these communities and the impact of climate warming was entirely lacking. The primary focus of this work was to generate baseline data on alpine soil bacterial community in the Himalaya. The objectives of this doctoral research are:1. Understanding the shifts in soil bacterial diversity and ecological traits at different periods post deglaciation of Gangotri glacier, western Himalaya. 2. Assessing climate change impacts on soil bacterial diversity and functional traits using alpine elevation-vegetation gradient as proxy. 3. Evaluating the role of temperature and edaphic factors in shaping the community diversity and composition along the elevation-vegetation gradient. 4. Investigating bacterial community response to experimental warming in an alpine.The study was conducted along a recently deglaciated valley in the upper Bhagirathi basin towards the snout of the Gaumukh glacier in Gangotri National Park, western Himalaya (30.95–30.99° N, 78.99–79.06° E)Item 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.