PhD Theses (WII)
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Item Status, habitat use and factors affecting breeding waterbirds of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh (India).(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Mahar, NeerajTourism has evolved as an alternative livelihood for the local people and has reduced their direct dependencies on natural resources and perhaps indirectly contributed towards nature conservation. However, unregulated tourism activities have led to degradation of natural systems and increased the ecological vulnerabilities of local communities. Often, tourism and other developmental activities related disturbances collide with the peak season for several biological processes and affect the ability of natural system to revive and restore itself. In case of waterbirds these disturbance affect the breeding success. Other than anthropogenic activities, domestic dogs, apparently the most abundant carnivores in the world, pose a major threat to local wildlife. Recent studies have determined waterbirds as an important part of their diet. The existing literature clearly suggested that there was a huge information gap regarding Trans-Himalayan wetlands and their avifaunal characteristics. Previous studies were either site specific or species-specific, and thus, landscape level base line data was either scanty or unavailable. The Trans-Himalayan wetlands of India are increasingly under anthropogenic stress which is affecting their ecological structure and functions, especially the breeding birds. Blacknecked crane (BNC) is one of the flagship species of these wetlands. With the above background, I decided to study and understand their ecology and major threats faced by waterbirds and wetlands of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary (CWLS). The objectives for this work were to (1) assess the population status and habitat use by waterbirds, (2)evaluate the factors affecting the breeding waterbirds, and (3) assess change in the wetland area.Item Status, distribution and foraging ecology of wolf in the north-western Himalayan landscape, India.(wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Shrotriya, Shivam; Habib, Bilal; Jhala, Y.V.The Himalayan wolf lineage is known to have genetic uniqueness, as it might be the oldest diverging population of the wolf-dog clad worldwide. This research commenced with the objectives of 1) understanding nature and pattern of livestock predation by the Himalayan wolf and the attitude of local communities towards them, 2) studying food habits of the Himalayan wolf at the landscape level and its diet niche overlap with sympatric carnivore species, and 3) comprehending the status, distribution pattern and factors determining the distribution of the Himalayan wolf and its prey. The study was conducted in an area of 1,41,391 km2 encompassing Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh region and Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh. There are six high altitude protected areas in the districts of Leh and Lahaul & Spiti. The fieldwork for this study was conducted from 2014 to 2018. The Himalayan wolf occurs along with snow leopard as a major carnivore in the Trans-Himalayan landscape. Red fox Vulpes vulpes is another widespread carnivore of the landscape. In this research, diet patterns, niche overlap and the competition were studied by conducting scat analysis and also generates crucial information on the ecology of rare Himalayan wolf lineageItem An assessment of human-wildlife interactions in the Indus valley, Ladakh, Trans-Himalayas(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Chandola, Shivani; Mathur, V.B.The Hemis National Park, in the “Ladakh mountains” Zone 1A, presents such a case of human-wildlife interaction, where the Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanko) are known to be the major cause of livestock losses to the agro-pastoral communities of this region. On the other hand, the livestock grazing and tourist influx have been cited as challenge for habitat and wildlife conservation. The present study was designed to improve upon the existing knowledge on the human-wildlife interactions in Ladakh. The major objectives of the study were to (i) study the pattern of resource use and its contribution to livelihood of local communities in Trans-Himalayan landscape; (ii) evaluate xi the pattern of conflicts arising from resource use practices by the local communities and its impact on wildlife values; (iii) examine the existing education systems and religio-cultural teachings in their ability to address the conservation issues of the region, and (iv) to examine the existing policy instruments and suggest improvement to minimize such conflicts. The assessment of natural resource dependency and sources of livelihood for the local community residing inside the HNP was carried out during 2005-2006 using data generated through questionnaire surveys, personal observations and secondary sources.Item A study on ethno-flora with special reference to Traditional Health Care System (THCS) in western Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Angmo, Kunzes; Adhikari, B.S.A study on ethno-flora with special reference to traditional health care systems (THCS) was conducted in Western Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (Indian Trans-Himalaya) during 2009-2013. The major objectives of the study were: i) to study and compare the traditional health-care system across major ethnic groups (Boto, Balti and Dards) in Suru, Wakha-chu and Lower Indus valleys, ii) to document the Traditional Knowledge System (TKS) across various ethnic groups, and iii) to assess the conservation status of ethno-medicinal plants in the study area. To meet the objectives of the study a detailed field investigation was undertaken in all the valleys. The field work involved questionnaire survey and group discussions in the three valleys to document traditional healthcare system (THCS), perception of people and allopathic doctors regarding THCS (objective 1); Interviews of local healers and different sections of the society to assess the status of traditional knowledge (objective 2); and Rapid survey of wild medicinal plants across various land forms, habitat and vegetation types so as to ascertain the distribution of ethno-flora across various landforms, and ethnoecology and conservation prioritization of Ethno-flora (objective 3). The study area is located above 2700m altitude and is characterized by unique geographical and socio-cultural attributes. Traditional medicine is one of the tangible heritage of the local people in Ladakh, which has been an indispensable source of both preventive and curative medicine.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.