Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/1

Browse

Author: search.filters.author.Adhikari, B.S.Subject: search.filters.subject.Mammals

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Habitat, food resource utilization of Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus, Horsfield 1826) and conflict with humans in Lahaul valley, Himachal pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Kumar, Vineet; Adhikari, B.S.; Sharma, Lalit Kumar
    Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) is one of the top carnivores dominating the higher altitudes of the North and Western Himalayan landscape. In India, based on the 2005 estimate the approximate brown bear distribution range is reported to be 36,800 km2 , whereas only 10% of the total distribution area of the brown bear comes under the protected areas. There is very low density of brown bear lies in its distribution range throughout the Western Himalaya, in alpine meadows, scrub and sub-alpine forests of two Union Territories (Jammu and Kashmir; and Ladakh) and two Indian Himalayan States, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Due to its inaccessible and high altitude habitat, the brown bear has been poorly studied in India, as well as in other parts of the Asian highlands.In the recent decade, the widespread exponential growth of the human population, infrastructure development, and agricultural intensification has led to the alteration of natural habitats into human-modified landscapes, bringing humans and wildlife into close proximity. In areas where brown bear and human habitation are in close proximity, brown bears feed on agricultural/horticultural crops and livestock predation leads to human-brown bear conflict and lessens local tolerance for bears. As the human settlements encroach further into remote areas, bear-human conflict escalates. Himalayan brown bear in its distribution range in India facing prevailing threats such as habitat loss, cropland expansion, anthropogenic disturbances, human brown bear conflict and climate changes. The present study was proposed to understand in detail the habitat use and feeding habits of brown bear with respect to human-brown bear conflict to develop mitigation strategies. For conducting this study, the vast geographic area of Lahual valley was stratified into different habitats and then divided into 10 km × 10 km grids for extensive study. First objective of this study aimed to understand the habitat utilization pattern of the Himalayan brown bear in selected grids of Lahaul Valley across the seasons (Intensive study area). To achieve this objective sign survey and camera trapping data was used and sixty-five logistically possible grids were surveyed across the seasons (summer and pre-hibernation), in different habitats and elevation gradients.he findings of the present study highlight a distinct seasonal pattern in habitat use of the Himalayan brown bear. In summer, bears predominantly utilized the areas with extensive vegetation cover as evidenced by a positive association with rangeland and Shannon diversity index and NDVI-summer, particularly away from the human settlements in the elevation range of 3000m to 4500m. Conversely, in the per-hibernation phase, Himalayan brown bear tends to avoid high-altitude areas with limited vegetation, opting for areas with available vegetative materials. Notably, habitat use was concentrated in the elevation range of 2800m to 3800m closer to the human settlements in comparison to summer. Regardless of the season, the Himalayan brown bear utilizes areas near roads, emphasizing the availability of anthropogenic food resources.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Habitat use and interactions of mammalian carnivores in the tropical forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Bhatt, Urjit; Adhikari, B.S.; Lyngdoh, Salvador
    The study was conducted at the Manas National Park (MNP), East Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, in Assam. Previous research on MNP revealed their significance in supporting diverse wildlife, including mammalian carnivores, focusing on their distribution patterns, relative abundance indices, and population estimates. However, interactions, co-existence, and habitat use among carnivores in the park remain understudied, creating concerns for conservation efforts given the threats to biodiversity in Southeast Asia. Examining these aspects of MNP, with their varied ecological niches and body mass variations, can shed light on species interactions and habitat preferences. understanding these complex relationships and habitat use is essential for effective conservation and management strategies to ensure the long-term survival and ecological balance of carnivore communities. The thesis used camera traps to assess the richness, species composition, encounter rates, trap efforts, and threat status of mammalian carnivores in the MNP. The objectives of the study were to (a) assess diversity and species composition of mammalian carnivores, (b) determine temporal interactions among carnivores and their potential prey species, and (c) evaluate space and habitat use of mammalian carnivores in tropical forest of MNP.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Systematics and ecology of Berberidaceae in Uttarakhand state.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Banerjee, Kausik; Rawat, G.S.; Adhikari, B.S.
    In the present study Population estimation, Habitat loss, Ranging pattern, Food habits and other parameters were discussed.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Habitat ecology of Royl’s Pika (Ochotona royleiogilby) along altitudinal grandients with special reference to foraging behavior in Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Bhattacharya, Sabuj; Adhikari, B.S.; Rawat, G.S.
    The relationship of a species with its environment has always been of primary interest among ecologists. The species living in highly seasonal environment and special habitats at high altitudes reflect peculiar evolutionary and adaptive behavior. The small mammals living at high altitudes such as pikas (Ochotona spp.) are of particular ecological interest as they exhibit high energy demands, limited dispersal capability and sensitivity towards climatic variation. Though seven species of pika are reported from the Himalayan region, none of the species have been studied in terms of their ecology and response to environmental variation. Keeping this in view, Royle's pika (Ochotona roylei), a small lagomorph and widely distributed in western Himalaya was selected to understand its habitat use pattern and behavioural ecology. The objective of the study were: (i) To characterize micro-habitat features associated with Royle's pika along a subalpine alpine ecotone and identify the factors which governs its occurrence (ii) To study the topographical and bioclimatic factors affecting its land scape level distribution (iii) To understand factor governs abundance of Royle's pika along altitudinal gradient, (iv) To document behavioural repertoire of Royle's pika in various season. (v) To study the influence of habitat micro climatic condition on activity of Royle's pika, (vi) To identify the tactors which governs the food selection decision of Royle's pika.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Patterns of grazing, natural resources use by local community and their influence on wild ungulate (Ibex) habitats in Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Targe, Kalzang; Adhikari, B.S.; Salvador, Lyngdoh
    This study conducted for a comprehensive study in response to the imperative need for a deeper understanding of the impact of pastoralism on wildlife. The research is centered on the high-altitude rangelands of the Trans-Himalaya, which have a grazing history spanning millennia. The primary goal of this research is to analyse an agropastoral system and investigate its conflicts with wildlife, particularly in relation to the Himalayan ibex. The study is summarized into the following objectives. - To study the changing aspects of local and migratory herders in Pin Valley, - To study grazing patterns of livestock and wild ungulate (Ibex) in Pin Valley, and - To document the natural resource dependency of local agropastoral community in Pin Valley. The study on agropastoral practices and their influence on the wild ungulate ibex in the Trans-Himalaya area employed a variety of methodologies and data analysis techniques. The primary data collection took place between September, 2017 and December, 2019. The research conducted for social aspects in all thirteen villages but only villages dependent on National Park were considered for the analysis. Semi- structured interviews in thirteen villages ensuring representation from different strata, age groups, and genders. Additionally, two focused group discussions were organized in the villages that related with migratory herders with the aim of raising awareness about overstocking and over-grazing's impact on range land resources. To analyse changes in the traditional agropastoral system, data were collected for both the past (pre-2000, before green pea commercialization) and present (post-2017) periods. Informal discussions with local community members were held to understand trends in livestock numbers and composition. Data on agriculture practices were also recorded. The employed various methods to assess Ibex and livestock feeding habits, including direct and indirect observations, bite counts, and microhistological techniques. The findings of this thesis hold practical relevance for land use planning and conservation management strategies. The research findings contribute valuable insights into the interactions between agropastoral practices and wild ungulate Ibex in the Trans-Himalaya area, providing a foundation for guiding conservation and management implementations strategies in the region