M Sc Dissertation(WII)

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    Ecological impacts of prescribed burning in Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1997) Ghosh, Sonali; Mathur, V.B.
    This study was aimed at studying the ecological impacts of prescribed burning by evaluating the current practices of burning being carried out in a typical grassland habitat in Corbett Tiger Reserve . The study extended from November 1996 to April 1997. Twenty four experimental plots were laid to study the differences in soil and vegetation characteristics, with respect to burnt and unburnt areas in short (Arundinella and Vetiveria type) grasslands and tall (Saccharum-Themeda type) grasslands. The main objectives were to determine the impacts of prescribed burning on soil and vegetation characteristics,, distribution of animal and birds and to evolve spatial strategies for the management of Hog deer( Cervus porcinus) populations using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information systems. —T-tests and AN OVA (analysis of variance) were applied on the various soil and vegetation parameters to test the differences between the burnt and unburnt areas. Short grasslands showed significant differences in soil available phosphorus, above ground biomass, crude protein, percentage fibre, ash, elemental potassium and sodium. The general increase in the soil available phosphorus, above ground biomass, crude protein and the decrease in the levels of percentage fibre, ash , elemental potassium and sodium in the short grassland burnt areas can be generally attributed to the removal of litter and the addition of ash which recycles the minerals back into the system. Tall grasslands showed significant differences in case of soil available potassium and grass percentage fibre. Both the parameters decreased in case of the burnt areas. I he tall grasslands are tussock- forming perennial species which do not get burnt completely. There is not much removal of litter which perhaps hampers the growth of the new sprouts. Samples collected from burnt and repeatedly clipped areas were tested for crude protein, percentage fibre, ash and lignin. They showed significant differences in case of percentage fibre. The fibre being the maximum in. case of these areas. Below ground biomass did not show any difference between the burnt and unburnt areas in short and tall grasslands . The area has had a long fire history and the below ground biomass has perhaps stabilised over the years and hence cannot be detected in such a short term study. Direct (road transects) and indirect (pellets) evidences were used to determine the animal and bird distribution with respect to the burning regime. Programme DISTANCE was used to estimate the animal densities while Menhinick's Index was used to calculate the bird species richness , before and after the date of prescribed burning. The animal densities and birds species richness increased after burning, but this could not be fully attributed to the burning regime. Other parameters such as change of seasons, also need to be taken into consideration . Finally, hog deer suitability map was generated using ground data for various ecological parameters and remote sensing data which were overlaid with the help of Geographic Information system . A burning regime separated on a temporal and spatial scale is required for sustaining hog deer populations in Corbett Tiger Reserve.
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    Tadpoles with a Trick : Overwintering Ecology of Tadpoles in a Himalayan Stream, Uttarakhand India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Jithin, V.; Das, Abhijit; Johnson, J.A.
    Overwintering is a unique phenomenon of delaying metamorphosis in amphibian larvae at low temperature conditions prevailing at high elevation and latitude. This study is first of its kind in India to look at selected ecological aspects of overwintering tadpoles of Nanorana spp. in a Himalayan stream
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    A Study on Breeding Behaviour of Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) in Anjarle and Deobag, Mahashtra
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Kambale, Asish Atmaram; Sivakumar, S.; Mohan, D.
    This study was aimed to understand the current status, distribution pattern, habitat characteristics, nesting success and nesting behaviour of Oriental Whitebacked vulture in the Konkan coast during a breeding season between December 2010 and May 2011. A total of 24 sites either nesting or feeding were located all along the Konkan coasts of Maharashtra during the survey using area search method as well as interview based techniques. Study shows that there was no significant difference in the habitats of both active and inactive nesting sites in the Konkan coast which indicates that the decline of nesting population of vulatures in the region may not be exclusively due to habitat destruction
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    Assessing the Impact of Traditional Practice of Frog Consumption Amphibian Population from Mizoram India Culture -Nat
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Malsawmdawngliana; Das, Abhijit; Kawlni, Lallianpuii; Lalronunga, Samuel
    Cultural practices have shaped the natural resources around the area in all parts of the world. The traditional practices involving wildlife and their meat as food resources is widely practised by many tribes of the world. Such practice also involves amphibian exploitation as food, one of the critical reasons for the decline in the global amphibian population. Such practice is widespread in the Northeast part of India, including Mizoram. However, the population-level impact of such traditional practice is poorly known. The study was carried out in the buffer and core zone of Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR) to assess the abundance and species richness. We surveyed four villages around DTR to see how the pattern of frog consumption by the local communities. The study tried to understand how the species diversity and abundance is affected by the off-take of frogs for food in the study area. Time constrained nocturnal Visual Encounter Survey method was used to see the species composition and abundances in the study area. Random sampling using questionnaires and interactions were used to see the frogs’ consumption pattern, medicinal use and preferred species for food of the local communities in the study area.
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    Conserving Natural Heritage Through Genetic Assessment : The Case of Snow Leopards in Ladakh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Vishnuvardhan; Jhala, Y.V.; Srinivas, Yellapu
    Natural world heritage sites are landscapes that sustain rare ecological processes, provide crucial habitats for the survival of many iconic species of significance and provide a wealth of ecosystem services. A part of India’s natural heritage lies m its youngest landscape, the Himalayas. This natural heritage is an asset in itself due to its immense intrinsic values. Snow leopard, an elusive inhabitant of the cold desert represents an important cultural and ecological symbol of the Central and south Asian mountain systems and acts as a flagship as well as an umbrella species. This study has been designed to assess the genetic status of this vulnerable species distributed across the union territory of Ladakh using non-invasive genetic methods. The study site comprised of four distinct regions, Hemis-Leh, Kargil, Changthang and Nubra. Putative snow leopard scat samples (N=391) were collected from the study area. DNA was extracted from all the samples and a 148 bp Mt-DNA region was amplified with a carnivore specific primer. Successfully amplified samples were sequenced for species identification. From the 95 snow leopard positive samples 56 individuals were identified using a panel of 10 microsatellites. Sex identification was also done by using AMELY gene and results showed male biased sex ratio in Ladakh. PIDsib value was 3.8x1 O’4 was indicative of sufficient power of the microsatellite panel to discriminate between siblings in a population of 10,000 snow leopards. This study provides a baseline for future comparisons since increased anthropogenic development projects may fragment this contiguous population. Genetic integrity and large gene pools are essential for long term viability of species especially in the advent of climate change and anthropogenic modifications. This study using genetic markers on the snow leopard exemplifies the use of this important tool for natural heritage management and conservation
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    Assessing the Impacts of Road Network on Wildlife Corridors and Mitigation Measures in Assam : Transportation Against Animal Corridor
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Borgohain, Roshme; Habib, Bilal; Ramesh, C.
    Protected Area Networks (PA) and Conservation Areas (CA) are very essential for ensuring the conservation of wildlife. However, the connectivity among these protected areas is much more important to ensure the viable population of species. Furthermore, the increase in infrastructural development and human encroachment leading to the fragmentation of forests and the natural habitat of wildlife species. The wildlife corridors are the essential structures to connect the fragmented areas, ensure the viability of the isolated population, restores the genetic variations, corridors also increases the habitat diversity in the two habitat patches that it connects, it provides a passage for migration and also acts as an escape route in cases of fire in one patch. Overall wildlife corridors are structures that are important for conservation. Although these protected areas were not well connected the corridor structures help to maintain the continuity of the area. The state falls under North-East India Biogeographic zones under the Province North-East-East-Brahmaputra Valley (9B), (Rodgers and Panwar 1998). In Assam, there are seven National Parks and twenty Wildlife Sanctuaries occupying the area of 3925+ sq. km, where two are designated as World Heritage site (WHS) which is the highest designation given to the protected area. Out of twenty-seven protected area in Assam, fifteen were bifurcated by road networks and there are total eleven corridors, connects the protected areas, eight corridors were cut at multiple places by roads. These connections of the corridors are essential to maintain the contiguous landscape, which is further essential for maintaining the integrity of the WHS. In this study, I have tried to look at the current status of the wildlife corridor portion bifurcated by the road networks in Assam. The objective of the study is 1) What is the extent of different types of road networks concerning PAs and corridors in the State of Assam? 2) What is the land use pattern near the corridor bifurcated by the road? 3) Characterize the current status of the corridor sites impacted by the road network.
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    Open to Invasion Patterns in Fruiting Phenology and Seed Dispersal of Lantana Camara Across Different Habitats in North India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Taneja, Yukti; Page, Navendu, V.; Kumar, R.Suresh
    Lantana camara (hereafter, Lantana) is a fleshy-fruited alien invasive plant that spreads mainly through seed dispersal mediated by vertebrate frugivores. Lantana has low shade tolerance and is thus more abundant in relatively open habitats. While open habitats may facilitate better germination of seeds and growth of saplings and adults, the role of habitat type on its reproductive output (fruits) and seed dispersal remains largely unknown. Understanding this can help predict differential patterns of invasion in different habitats. In this study, I aimed to understand the influence of canopy cover and other drivers on fruiting phenology, visitation patterns of frugivores on Lantana and fruit removal of Lantana. I carried out this study in Shorea robusta- dominated. moist deciduous forest and grassland-shrubland mosaics in and around the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) campus in the Dehradun valley, Uttarakhand from August 2021 to December 2021. To determine the influence of canopy cover on fruiting phenology, I marked and monitored (every fortnight) 45 Lantana bushes across a gradient of canopy cover from late August. To determine the drivers of visitation patterns of frugivores on Lantana and the fruit removal rates of Lantana across habitats, I earned out focal plant watch on 80 Lantana bushes across a gradient of canopy cover. I used a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to test the effect of canopy cover and shrub volume on the fruit crop size of Lantana bushes monitored for phenology.
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    Storied Landscapes : A Study of the Ecological Narratives of the Bhotiyas (TOLCHHAS, MARCHAS AND JADS) of Uttarakhand
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Saurav, Devshish; Badola, Ruchi; Baroth, Anju
    Himalaya is still young and growing; the formation of Himalayan ranges is still going on Vast terrain, unstable stretches, extreme climatic conditions and other potential hazards are major challenges for the inhabitants of the area. Humans have survived all such challenges since ages, it is a story of settlers’ survival and sustainability. The story of survival narrates the suitability of the wise traditional practices and sustainable community based approach. This process follows the lessons learnt from trials and errors, cultural assimilation and devoted observations. This is reflected in socio-cultural spheres, technological understanding and institutional structure of local Bhotiya (Jads, Tolchha, Marcha) society.It is important to understand the Himalayan settlers historically, the cultural practices of inhabitants help us in understanding the background, origin and nature of local traditions. Jads,Tolchhas and Marchas are such ethnic groups from Uttarakhand who evolved and settled in Himalayan region over a course of time. They follow different cultural traits, livelihood practices and hold different socio-political and religious affiliations. They inhabit the northern and upper ranges of Himalayas. The blend of Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism is reflected from their culture and nomadic lifestyle. Since very old time the Middle Himalayan region of Garhwal and Kumaun have been under the influence of Hinduism.
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    Relocation and Resilience : A Case Study from Sariska Tiger Reserve
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Abhishek; Baroth, Anju; Kolipakam, Vishnupriya; Qureshi, Qamar
    Relocation of villages have implications on socioeconomic status of forest dependent people, however studies have often ignored the well-being of people after relocation. Sariska Tiger Reserve has undertaken relocation as one of its key programmes for biodiversity conservation. In my study I took a field work of analysing the ground realities of relocation in Sariska Tiger Reserve. The objectives of the study suggest: (1) documenting the perception of forest department and communities towards relocation. (2) analysing the resilience of communities in “Relocated” and “To be Relocated” sites. My study includes the use of sociological survey techniques including questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews, observatory analysis, focused group discussion etc. The study was conducted in two relocated sites (1) Rundh Maujpur (2) Bardod Rundh and future projects villages for relocation Kankwari, Haripura, Lilunda and Kraska. 86 households were surveyed in relocated sites and 96 households were surveyed inside the core zone of Sariska. Results of Resilience have been quantified through abstract and non-abstract measurable. The finding in the study shows that, the influence of local inhabitants on relocation process is very limited. Forest department and local authorities need to retrospect their notion of conservation and rethink their plan for relocation.
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    Pre and Post Covid-19 Transformation in the Financial and Marketing Practices of Museums: An Analysis of the Government Museum Chennai and City Palace Museum Udaipur.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Bhaalasaraswathi, J.; Sivakumar, K.
    The research focuses on the effect of the pandemic on the museum. The two main areas of focus are marketing and finance management of the museums with the case study of the Government Museum Chennai and the City Palace Museum, Udaipur. All three museums are known for the antiquity of their collections, the history of the buildings which house these collections and the architecture of the building. The Government Museum, Chennai, is a museum run by the Government, while the City Palace Museum, Udaipur is a Non- profit Organisation run by a public charitable trust. The research will look at the marketing and the funding transformation in the museum because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The selection of Government Museum Chennai, the City Palace Museum Udaipur and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai gives the research a comparison between museums that differ in ownership, funding and location. All the above-mentioned museums are multipurpose museums that exhibit artefacts and collections on various subjects.