WII Technical Reports/Books/Manuals
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Item Human wildlife conflict: Assessment of Socio-psychological perspectives and actual threat from Leopard in Motichur range, Rajaji Tiger Reserve(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Yadav. S.; Mohan, M.; Sandilaya, D.; Boro, P.; Sharma, A.; Sanatan, S.; Ramesh, K.As the proverbs go, “the deeper the roots, the greater the fruits” & “the devil is in the details”, for conservation management to be successful, one must look at multiple aspects and require comprehensive approach. Human-wildlife conflict is not a singular issue of management since it has wider implications and more so, in cases where species restoration in the form of conservation is involved, because social acceptance and better preparations are keys for success of such programs. In this report, information gathered from three different but linked studies carried out under the larger and long-term framework are synthesized, providing an overview of (1) socio-economic conditions and Quality of Life of people, (2) temporal landscape change and people perception on the conflict and (3) comparative status of leopard behavior in the conflict versus non-conflict zones. By studying “Quality of Life”, one can assess the impact of forest resources on the living conditions of people and vice versa. Chapter 1 shows the results of “QOL” study conducted within the villages falling under the 1 km buffer in the Eco-sensitive zone villages of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand from January 2019 to June 2019. This study evaluates the socio-economic dimension of people and focused on demographic status, human dependency on utilization of forest resources and the role of people in management actions. The utilization of forest resources was found to be high in the three districts and there is hardly any participation of the people in the management inputs. The qualitative wellbeing assessment revealed that people are less satisfied with their living condition. The global environment change is increasingly forcing the already dwindled wildlife areas to be even more susceptible to disturbances. Localisation, shifting or disappearance of resources can severely impact wildlife and can even lead to local extinctions. There are many evidences to support this narrative. A study analysing the “changes in landscape” from 1995 to 2018 was also undertaken, which showed an increase in barrenness. Because “Human-Wildlife Conflict” explicitly revolves around the costs of sharing land with dangerous wild animals, it is important to understand the patterns of landscape change. While highlighting the landscape changes over a 20 years period, the second study also focused on the damages done by wild animals, the compensatory schemes, and most importantly the perception of people about wild animals. Though one can never truly eradicate human-wildlife conflict completely, any conflict is a situation of paramount importance to be solved, because any conservation effort does require the support of public at large, particularly the local people who share the space with wildlife. Any spike or change in trend of conflict requires further investigation not for the sole reason saving human fatalities but also for building better human relationships between wildlife managers and public. Since 2014, Motichur range of Rajaji Tiger Reserve has experienced 31 attacks on humans by the resident leopard (Panthera pardus) population. It resulted in 19 human deaths and grievous injuries to 12 people. The epicenter of the conflict is the space surrounding national highway 58, connecting the cities of Rishikesh and Haridwar. Rajaji forest department has been deploying camera traps in the conflict space to reckon the leopard movement patterns and to circle out any suspect animals responsible for the conflict. We intensified the camera trap study focusing on entire Motichur range (excluding the conflict locations) from November 2018 to February 2019. In addition, we visited each conflict site with the forest department officials, and collected information on various attributes related to the site. We found an extremely high leopard count for the winters i.e. 47, with a very high density of 45 animals per 100 square kilometers. We listed down the most suspected leopards involved in conflict based on 3-point criteria. The results of our work will increase our understanding of the adaptability of leopards. The results also reiterate the imperative to shift from a PA centric to a landscape level conservation approach, analyzing the source and drivers of conflicts, including the carrying capacity analysis. There is also an urgent need to include engage communities more closely and develop a short-term and long-term conservation programs.Item Detailed Project report of Bakhira Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Johnson, J.A.; Sivakumar, K.; Vijaykumar, C.; Mondal, P.S.; Mitra, P.; Dubey, V.K.; Sharma, A.The Indo-Gangetic floodplains in the state of Uttar Pradesh, harbours numerous natural and man-made wetlands. Bakhira Lake is an important oxbow Lake of eastern Uttar Pradesh, which provides wintering and staging ground for large number of migratory birds and breeding ground for resident birds. Realizing the ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural and zoological significance of the area for the purpose of protecting, propagating and developing wild life and its environment the area has been declared as Sanctuary. 2. The lake supports about 100 species of resident and migratory waterfowl, over 40 species of fish, several species of amphibians and reptiles and the smooth coated otter, Nilgai and common langur. Over the centuries the fisher folks have practiced indigenes non-detrimental fisheries methods being dependant on the lake, but with the recent hydrological changes, they claim fish population, size and diversity to have changed and declined and are resorting to unsustainable fisheries practices to obtain a minimum required catch. 3. Further, Bakhira wetland has a significant socio-economic, ecological, floral and faunal value in addition to their aesthetic values. The Management Action Plans suggested in this DPR include both Policy level and site level Management Actions keeping in view the need to safeguard the well-being of this wetland and people around. 4. The DPR is also suggests the need for capacity building to professionally manage this wetland. A special focus is given to development of proper eco-development strategies that will decrease the human dependency on the wetland resources and increase visitation of these sites through proper eco-tourism plans. 5. Vision: “Ecologically functional wetland of ‘Bakhira Bird Sanctuary’ is important biodiversity heritage of Uttar Pradesh should be conserved and emerge as a centre of excellence for eco-tourism and conservation education”. 6. Objectives: a) Appreciate and promote the importance of integrated and sustainable management of Bakhira Bird Sanctuary (BBS); b) Promote participation of stakeholders in the management of BBS; c) Mainstream biodiversity conservation into production sectors of the region especially fisheries, tourism and agriculture; d) Effectively as well as scientifically protect, manage and monitor the biodiversity of BBS; e) Promote eco-friendly tourism that provides a rich experience for tourists, economic benefits to the local people and support to the Sanctuary; f) Develop BBS as a world class biodiversity site to promote eco-tourism and nature education. 7. Problems: Major portion of the sanctuary including the entire wetland area is not belongs to the State Forest Department that hindering the effective management of the Sanctuary. Altered hydrology that resulted in lack of flushing mechanism in the wetland. High nutrient rich water due to agricultural runoff and use of domestic animals in large numbers.Poaching. Fishing during the critical period and in the critical wildlife habitats. Spreading of Phragmites, Hydrilla in the wetland. Pollution (source: sewage pollution from urbans – poor sewerage system). Lack of inter-sectoral co-ordinations in planning and development of nearby Municipal corporations. Increasing anthropogenic pressure around the Sanctuary. Lack of clarity on ‘Scope of the Management Area of BBS’. Multi-stakeholders but lack of ownership and participation in conservation. Poor infrastructure of Management Authority of BBS. Poor infrastructure to promote eco-tourism, eco-development and nature education, to strengthening protection and monitoring.Item Status of Wildlife in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary - 2021(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Habib, Bilal; Noor, A.; Sharma, A.; Yadav, N.; Goyal, N.Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (Sukhna WLS) is part of the Union Territory of Chandigarh and falls in the Great Indian Northern Plains near the foothills of the Shiwalik Hills. In process of continuing their effort of having scientific database and information on their wildlife populations and wildlife conservation, the Department of Forest and Wildlife, Union Territory of Chandigarh (DFW-CH), approached Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun (wide letter Nos. For/2021/50, dated: 06/04/21 and For/2020/0074, dated: 24/02/2020) to assist in capacity building of the field personnel in conducting wildlife surveys in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, the only Protected Area (PA) of the UT. Subsequently, WII prepared an outline for the wildlife surveys for which initial training of the field personnel was considered as a prerequisite to further the survey program. Following this, WII conducted a capacity building and training workshop to train the frontline staff so that they collect scientifically robust data and get acquainted with the methods to be employed during the execution of project activities. A day-long training workshop was then held at the Chandigarh Botanical Garden, on 22nd April 2021 in the presence of 17 attendees. The DFW-CH personnel were trained in employing different field techniques such as line transect sampling, sign surveys, point counts, and use of necessary equipment (e.g. GPS units, binoculars, range finders, etc.) required during the surveys. In-field exposure to the techniques and equipment was made before starting the main survey to validate the sampling techniques. Shri Debendra Dalai, Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden (CCF&CWLW, DFW-CH), and Dr. Abdul Qayum, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (DCF, DFW-CH) also presided over the training workshop. Subsequently, the primary data collection process for Sukhna WLS was conducted by the DFW-CH in a five-day programme beginning 5th May to 9th May 2021. A total of 10 line transects (2 km each) inside Sukhna WLS and an additional four transects outside Sukhna WLS were sampled with an overall effort of 88 km of transect walk (80 km walk effort was made inside Sukhna WLS and 8 km walk effort in forest patches outside the Sukhna WLS). This effort yielded a total of 223 direct observations (195 inside and 28 outside Sukhna WLS) consisting of 13 wildlife species that included four ungulates, two primates, two carnivore species, one rodent, and reptile species each, two bird species, and also free-ranging stray dogs Due to low sample size of observations, the density of species other than Sambar could not be estimated with robustness. The density and other parameters of other species were not calculated because of the very low sample sizes as n>40 were considered adequate for data analysis in Distance software. Thus, data from all 14 transects of Sukhna WLS (transects which were inside as well as those monitored outside the sanctuary) were pooled for density and other parameters estimation for Sambar. Observations of other species such as Nilgai, Wild boar and Hanuman langur were pooled to estimate global detection probability which then was used to estimate the density estimates for these species, assuming they have uniform detectability in the environment. Therefore, further conservation and management strategies should consider these findings with caution. Sambar had the highest density (number of individuals/km2) of 18.08±4.22, followed by Nilgai (2.01±0.57), and Wild boar (1.17±0.33) in Sukhna WLS during the survey. The mean group size of Wild boar was the highest with 4.28±0.89 (median = 4; range = 1–12) followed by Chital (3.5±0.5; median = 4; range = 2–5), and Nilgai (3.20±0.55; median = 2; range = 1–10). Sambar had the mean group size of 2.57±0.22 (median = 2; range = 1–16). Hanuman langur’s grouping tendency averaged at 2.54±0.72 (median = 1; range = 1–8) while the Indian peafowl had mean group size of 2.42±0.29 (median = 2; range = 1–5). The detection probability varied from lowest of 0.41 to 0.56 for Sambar and pooled prey species, respectively. The population estimates obtained through extrapolation of the density estimates on the area of the sanctuary puts Sambar as the dominant species with an estimated population of ca. 290–763 individuals. The population estimate of Sambar obtained during the current survey is more robust than the estimate obtained during the previous surveys owing to several reasons including more amount of effort and area coverage undertaken this time (80 km compared to 16 km previously), more number of observations (N=138) than previously (N=21) and lower CVs associated with the estimates. Indian peafowl’s population could not be estimated due to low number observations (N=14) although an estimate of population could be made during the previous survey. Population estimates of other species such as Nilgai could not be estimated due to low number of observations. A total of 10 trails or routes of variable length (average=5.05 km; 4–5.5 km) and totalling an effort of 50.5 km (with 34:54 man hours) were walked in 10 beats across Sukhna WLS during the wildlife survey period. A total of 286 observations of indirect signs such as droppings, scats, footprints/pugmarks, scratch marks, pellets, etc. were made based on which 13 species could be identified. Interestingly, presence of barking deer was ascertained by indirect evidence only and in case of carnivores, leopard pugmarks were also recorded which could not be confirmed based on direct observations. A total of 30 points for counting birds were sampled across the 10 transects (three point count stations at each transect with inter-station distance of 400 m) during the survey. The same points were used for broad characterisation of habitat and vegetation. A total effort of 60 point samplings were conducted yielding a total of 67 species of birds belonging to 32 families and 15 orders were identified in the point transects. Of these observed species, ca. 28% of the species had more than 10 observations. Indian peafowl was the most abundant (N=59) species recorded, followed by red-wattled lapwing (N=30) and the red junglefowl (N=26). Among the species recorded with less frequency 20 species were recorded only once. Conclusions and Recommendations 1. Despite being small in area, Sukhna WLS supports good biological diversity and has the potential to be considered as one of the important wildlife and biodiversity conservation area. Therefore, steps should be undertaken to have plans for regular monitoring and research programs targeting not only the sanctuary but also its surrounding forested areas. 2. Sambar is the most abundant ungulate species in the Sukhna WLS with the highest density similar to Rajaji TR. The estimated population of Sambar in the sanctuary stands at ca. 290–763