M Sc Dissertation(WII)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/3

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Author: search.filters.author.Goyal, S.P.Start date: 2020

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    Shared spaces, shared challenges: Assessing habitat and resource sharing between the Greater One horned Rhinoceros and livestock in Pobitora Wildlife sanctuary, Assam
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2026) Kiruthika, S.M.; Mondol, Samrat; Goyal, S.P.; Sharma, Amit
    The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (GoH rhino) is a keystone species of the alluvial grasslands and riverine forests. Despite conservation successes, its long-term survival is threatened by population fragmentation, habitat degradation, and intense competition for resources with sympatric herbivores. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (PWLS), Assam, feature a habitat mosaic embedded within a largely human-dominated landscape, yet supports the highest density of rhinos and a large number of livestock from surrounding villages. This makes it an ideal site to investigate the spatial use and nutritional ecology of the rhino during the dry winter season. The aim is to clarify whether high rhino density pressures force rhinos to utilise habitats non-selectively and how livestock encroachment influences their nutritional status. Spatial distribution patterns at the larger and finer scales, spatial overlaps between species, and the dietary quality of rhinos in relation to environmental variables and livestock pressure were assessed through systematic animal and vegetation surveys and analysis of dung samples for nutritional parameters. Habitat use by rhinos was concentrated in mosaics of tall grassland, wet short grassland, and marshy habitats; these overlapped with those of buffalo but not with those of cattle, even though cattle were dispersed throughout the study area. Habitat selection was shown to reflect a complex trade-off among nutritional quality, physiological requirements, and the energetics involved, even at such high densities. The results also suggest that cattle could be indirectly affecting spatial use, though additional research is needed to confirm this effect.
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    Effect of land use change on the habitat and abundance of Grizzled giant squirrel in and around Srivilliputhur-Meghamalai Tiger reserve, Srivilliputhur Division, Tamil Nadu
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Bevoor, Shilpa; Gopi, G.V.; Kher, Varun; Goyal, S.P.
    Human activities, especially energy extraction and food production, have drastically altered the global environment, impacting many wild species. Since 1990, around 420 million hectares of forests have been lost mainly due to agricultural conversion, significantly affecting biodiversity. In biodiversity hotspots like India's Western Ghats, agricultural expansion, monoculture plantations (tea, coffee, rubber), and non-timber forest product harvesting have fragmented protected areas, altered plant communities, disrupted nutrient cycles, and reduced carbon sequestration. While monoculture plantations reduce biodiversity, they can still provide habitats for some threatened species. Wildlife such as nilgai, blackbuck, elephants, and giant squirrels in India have adapted to these altered landscapes for food, water, and shelter, demonstrating resilience amidst habitat changes. This study focuses on the impact of converting barren lands into mango and coconut plantations around the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve in southern India on the grizzled giant squirrel population and habitat. Over the past three decades, these changes have enhanced connectivity between natural forests and agricultural areas, offering energy-rich fruits that attract wildlife, including GGS. This shift has altered ecological dynamics, making wildlife more reliant on cultivated foods and affecting their movement patterns. Density estimates reveal higher concentrations of GGS and nesting sites (dreys) in plantations compared to protected areas, with mixed plantations showing the highest densities due to the availability of nesting sites and year-round fruiting trees. Seasonal variations in GGS distribution highlight preferences for specific tree species based on fruit availability and habitat characteristics. The study also examines drey site preferences, noting GGS preference for mango trees in plantations over coconut trees due to structural attributes that provide better support and protection. These findings underscore the species' adaptation to plantation environments while emphasizing the critical role of specific habitat features for nesting and overall habitat suitability. Local farmers report conflicts with GGS due to crop damage, particularly affecting coconut, mango, tamarind, and other fruit-bearing trees. Perceived economic losses from GGS feeding habits often exceed actual damage levels, emphasizing the need for accurate assessment and targeted mitigation strategies to reduce conflict. Conservation implications stress the importance of maintaining critical habitats within protected areas, establishing buffer zones between plantations and natural forests, and promoting biodiversity-friendly practices in monoculture plantations. Community-based conservation efforts and adaptive management strategies are essential for mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and ensuring the sustainable coexistence of GGS and agricultural livelihoods in this biodiversity hotspot