PhD Theses (WII)

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    Understanding the impact of habitat fragmentation on sympatric Large Carnivore connectivity across Tiger Reserves in Maharashtra, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Modi, Shrushti; Habib, Bilal
    This study is an effort to understand the impact of habitat fragmentation on the connectivity of sympatric large carnivores across the tiger reserves of Maharashtra. The top predator assemblage in Maharashtra's major tiger reserves and surrounding areas consist of three species: tiger, leopard, and dhole. Most connectivity studies focus on the single species, which does not incorporate other species' requirements and conservation interests. As a result, given the current context of haphazard development, there is a need to develop a multispecies conservation plan that focuses on multidimensional aspects for several species of interest. Given this, the current study was conducted in major tiger reserves and surrounding protected areas, i.e., Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR), Umred Karandhla Wildlife Sanctuary (UKWLS) in the state of Maharashtra. The objectives of the study were to (i) Develop and standardise molecular markers for species and individual identification, (ii) Meta-population dynamics of tiger, leopard and Asiatic wild dog across the tiger reserves of Maharashtra, (iii) Impact of habitat fragmentation on the gene flow and genetic connectivity across the habitat connectivity gradient of the tiger reserves. The three species from the major carnivore guild suggests that landscape genetic patterns respond to the ecological differences in habitat characteristics, and disturbance can differentially affect landscape genetic structure. The study develops a framework for the landscape genetic study of any species starting from the sampling to understanding the impact of habitat fragmentation on the functional as well as structural connectivity of these species. The empirical findings of this study provide an outlook to delineate the corridor planning as per species need and do not follow the one for all approach. This study also developed the first PCR based protocol for dhole species identification and a better individual identification panel. The study will help in introducing species-specific modifications in connectivity corridors planning. It has paved the way to consider the requirements of each species while establishing priority-based conservation. As obtained in this study, landscape genetics outputs, coupled with multispecies connectivity models, could help prioritise the conservation of areas where maintaining connectivity is most critical.
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    Indian Grey wolves (Canis lupus pallipes) in Human dominated landscape; Movement, space use and foraging
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Khan, Shaheer; Habib, Bilal
    The study presented a comprehensive investigation into the ecology of Indian wolves (Canis lupus pallipes) within human-dominated landscapes in Maharashtra, India. The study focused on movement patterns, den and rendezvous site selection, and food habits of Indian wolves to gain insights into their adaptation strategies and ecological interactions within changing environments. Seven adult wolves (three males and four females) and four subadult wolves (two males and two females) were captured using soft leghold traps from 2017 - 2021. Trapped wolves were held using a double-threaded nylon hockey net and immobilized using Ketamine–Xylazine by injecting intramuscularly on their hind leg and fitted with GPS collars. A total of ten wolves from seven different packs were fitted with GPS collars, and one male was fitted with a proximity collar. The GPS collars were programmed for the different intervals between positions ranging from 0.5-5 hours per fix (median=1 hour), depending on the time of year and type of individual. I then scaled the data to 1 hour per fix for movement analysis. This research underscores the importance of understanding wolf movement, denning ecology, and food habits for effective conservation strategies. As human populations and habitat alterations increase, studying wolf adaptation is crucial for species-specific conservation planning.
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    Evaluating the use of Camera-Traps for population estimation of unmarked individuals using spatially explicit models in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Chatterjee, Nilanjan; Habib, Bilal
    Wildlife monitoring is of fundamental importance to establish baseline information, measure population changes and extinction risk. Motion-triggered camera traps are an increasingly popular tool for monitoring terrestrial species over large landscapes. Over the years, the application of camera traps has increased exponentially but studies aiming at fundamental information about sampling design and protocols are still limited to simulation studies. In this dissertation, we have used occupancy as an indicator of effective species monitoring. Occupancy has become a robust and unbiased state variable to monitor species worldwide. However, the optimal sampling design required for robust estimations of occupancy is lacking for many species.The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is situated in the Chandrapur district in the the Vidharbha Landscape of Maharashtra state, between 204’53” to 2025’51’’ N and 7913’13” to 79 33’34” E (Figure 6). The TATR is distributed over an area of 1700 sq. km which consists of Tadoba national park and Andhari wildlife sanctuary.
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    Geospatial modelling of ungulate-habitat relationship in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
    (2008) Paliwal, Ambika; Mathur, V.B.
    The present study is an amalgamation of ecological theory, scientific technology and modern statistical modeling. It provides a sound basis for effective management of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve TATR including preparation of science based management plans. the study aims to map landuse/landcover patterns and to assess spatial structure and configuration of landscape; structure and composition of vegetation types in landscape; spatial and ecological distribution of ungulate species in response to seasons and management status and habitat suitability and site occupancy using spatially explicit ungulate-habitat model. The study was carried out in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR). It lies in civil district of Chandrapur, eastern edge of Maharashtra. Field work was carried out between February 2005 and January 2007.
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    Diversity of spider assemblages in sacred groves of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra: Implications for conservation management in the landscape.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Patil, Vinayak K.; Uniyal, V.P.; Trivedi, Mukul
    The present study was conducted in Dapoli Taluka of Ratnagiri district in maharashtra with the objectives was to comprehensively document the sacred groves in the study area because it is a high concentration sacred groves region but very little documentation has been done so far. The other objective was to explore the spider diversity in sacred groves and compare it with some other habitats in the study area. These habitats included, reserved forests, mango orchards and cashew orchards. Lastly it was sought to find out if the habitats, seasonality, disturbance etc. had any influence on the diversity and composition of spider assemblages in the study sites.
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    Application of Geographic Information System(GIS) and Remote Sensing in assessing habitat, resource availability and its management in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1999) Dubey, Yogesh; Mathur, V.B.
    The present study attempts to determine the distribution and abundance pattern of ungulate species in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and to assist in the development of a computerised wildlife database on spatial as well as non spatial attributes, which could be used for conservation monitoring and evaluation as well as to help in resource management planning, With the increasing pressure on forests it has become important to focus the research effort which could eventually lead to a better management of our PAs.
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    Understanding sioth bear (Melursus ursinus) Genetic Connectivity across Vidarbha Landscape, Maharashtra, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Gomes, Lynett; Habib, Bilal
    The goal of this thesis is to use non-invasive DNA sampling to study how sloth bears roam throughout the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. Maharashtra's Vidarbha Landscape is a quickly changing area. The great biodiversity that lives there is under risk from the quick changes in the landscape. It's vital to note that there are about 200 instances of deadly human-sloth bear interactions in Maharashtra alone each year, and that number could increase in the years to come due to increased development activities in the area. Wide ranging or long dispersing species who have extensive movements across a landscape are the ones most affected by range contraptions and fragmentation of the habitat. The broad objectives of this thesis were 1. Understand Genetic Structure, Variation and relatedness amongst sloth bear populations in Vidharbha Landscape and 2. Evaluate genetic relatedness with respect to permeability of the landscape and connectivity. The functional corridor obtained for sloth bears is the main result of this thesis. This can be used in a number of ways by managers, planning bodies, and stakeholders. First, the occupancy and connection would assist indicate key movement regions and areas of concern when evaluated in conjunction with the documented incidents of sloth bear attacks. The pinch points could be focused upon and conserved as intact corridors. Secondly, the movement areas could be modelled with documented bear attacks to highlight the probable corridors or movement areas that need awareness to avoid bear attacks