Theses and Dissertations

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Author: search.filters.author.Hussain, S.A.

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    A study on the resource dependence, human-wildlife conflict and community participation in forest management in Alaknand basin, Uttarakhand.
    (wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Manral, Upma; Hussain, S.A.; Badola, Ruchi
    Himalayan mountains are highly dynamic systems with both natural and anthropogenic disturbances acting as integral drivers of natural system dynamics in the region. The consequent changes brought into the system determine ecosystem productivity and the flow of ecosystem services to the humans. Any degradation of ecosystem functions and services will increase both the environmental and socioeconomic vulnerability of mountain communities which are highly reliant on natural systems, particularly forests of the area. The objectives of the study were to: a) quantify the extent of extraction of plant resources in different villages located at different elevations; b) assess the availability of major phyto-resources in and around the villages and surrounding forests along elevational gradient in the Alaknanda river basin; c) assess the extent of human-wildlife conflicts affecting the livelihood in the study area; and d) measure the contribution of community forest management practices in livelihoods of local communities. Four hypothesis were framed as: a) patterns of both availability and the extraction of forest resources in the study area xi change along the elevational gradient; b) human–wildlife conflicts negatively impact livelihood generation of affected communities; c) community forest management practices play a role in augmenting livelihood of local communities in the area; and d) better managed forests in an area are the result of community participation in forest management
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    Food habits of sympatric large herbivores in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Devi, Anita; Hussain, S.A.; Badola, Ruchi
    This study aims to a. address the welfare state of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) based on environmental factors and individual-level differences, and b. propose a methodological framework for evaluation and improvement welfare in captive environments. In this chapter, I will set up the context for this study with a brief chronology of our understanding of the origin of animal welfare and the science of zoo biology and their relevance to the Asiatic lion conservation breeding programme (CBP)
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    Assessment of genetic variation in Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor)
    (wildlife Institute of India, 2014) Gupta, Sandeep Kumar; Hussain, S.A.
    This study is focused on the examination of intra and inter-species genetic variation among Indian sambar (R. u. unicolor) populations using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA markers. Sequence variation in a partial fragment of mtDNA control region was examined from the biological samples collected from Western Ghats, Deccan Peninsula, Semi-arid and Gangetic plains. It is also essential to know the phylogenetic variations (if any) among sambar population in India for identification of population(s) for proper conservation management. Therefore, the following objectives were set forth: (a) to examine the intra-species relationship among sambar populations across various biogeographic zones in India, (b) to study the molecular systematic of sambar in order to understand its phylogenetic structure and its relationships with other cervids; and (c) to examine the genetic diversity and gene flow pattern among sambar populations. The key research questions were (a) is there any variation in phylogenic position of sambar across biogeographic zones of India? (b) what is the precise phylogenic position of sambar with respect to other cervids? (c) does the population genetic structure of sambar differ across biogeographic zones of India? and (d) what is the status of gene flow in sambar across biogeographic zones? In this study, one ancient evolutionary significant unit (ESU) of sambar was identified from Western Ghats.
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    A study on water bird population and human use of Hokersar and Hygam wetlands of Kashmir valley for conservation planning
    (2009) Hamid, Fozia; Hussain, S.A.
    The primary focus of this study was to evaluate the landscape composition and describe the floristic communities; assess the waterbird abundance and its spatio-temporal variation. The study also examined the resource dependence of local communities and their conservation attitudes towards these wetlands. The objectives were set forth: Map the habitat types with respect to water depth and vegetation characteristics of Hokersar and Hygam wetlands of Jammu & Kashmir. Derive spatio-temporal variation in the density and diversity pattern of waterbirds in these wetlands. iv Examine the seasonal pattern of use of these two wetlands by migratory and resident waterbirds. Examine the extent of use of these wetlands by the local people and their perception and attitude towards these wetlands. The field work was done during July to October 2004; mid-winter (December - January, 2004-2005); post-winter/ spring (February - April, 2005); summer (July - August, 2005), from June to October, 2006 and from June to October 2007. A structured questionnaire was designed and employed to obtain information on socio-economic parameters and vi dependence on wetland resources. The findings of this study indicate a difference in landscape structure between two wetlands. The pattern of land use - land cover between two landscapes shows that the extent of marshy areas was more in Hokersar wetland landscape (35.65%) than Hygam landscape (22.26%).
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    Assessment of provisioning service and the recreational value of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Pariva; Hussain, S.A.; Badola, Ruchi
    The ecological services and the natural capital stocks that produce them are critical to the functioning of the earth’s life-support system. Because of the direct use of the structural value provided by natural ecosystems and in most cases of free access to such ecosystems they are under heavy utilization pressure. The harmful effects of degrading ecosystem services are being disproportionately borne by the poor and are contributing to the growing economic inequities as well as environmental hazards to which the poor are the most vulnerable. Present work aimed to understand the status of the provisioning and recreational services of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) and their contribution in securing wellbeing of local communities. The study was carried out with five objectives: (a) assess the socioeconomic status of local communities in NDBR, (b) quantify the provisioning services of the Reserve in terms of resource extraction, (c) estimate the recreational and religious value of the Reserve and its contribution to local livelihoods, (d) assess the extent of human-wildlife conflicts in the Reserve; and to (e) examine the attitude of local communities towards the conservation of the Reserve.
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    A study people – Protected Area interface at Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Leima, Sanggai; Badola, Ruchi; Hussain, S.A.
    Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) is the only natural home of the remnant population of endangered brow antlered deer or Sangai whose habitat is the phumdi- a unique part of the habitat of KLNP. It is a floating mass of entangled vegetation formed by the accumulation of organic debris and biomass with soil particles. It covers approximately two thirds of the area of the park and the thickness varies from a few centimeters to about two meters. However, due to illegal exploitation of resources from the park in the form of vegetable and fuelwood collection, the park is facing consistent anthropogenic pressures which are posing a threat to the habitat of Sangai. A need arises to understand local people’s dependence on the park as well as their perceptions and attitudes in order to devise management strategies to solve parkpeople conflicts. Thus, the main objectives of the present study were to (a) examine the socioeconomic and demographic conditions of the villagers around KLNP, (b) quantify the resources extracted from the park and its contribution to the livelihoods of the local people, (c) assess the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the wildlife habitat, (d) examine the conservation awareness and attitudes of people towards the park and alternative livelihood options and (e) to assess the economic value of the park in terms of recreation for the conservation of Sangai and KLNP.
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    Assessment of water quality and biomass productivity of the tropical floating meadows of Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Chongpi, Tuboi; Hussain, S.A.
    Wetlands represent the aquatic edge of many terrestrial plants and animals; they also represent the terrestrial edge of many aquatic plants and animals. They are fast becoming a focus for research, management, and restoration activities because of high biodiversity, productivity and for their well-documented ecosystem service values. Wetlands with floating meadows largely occur in temperate and tropical freshwater wetlands throughout the world. In India, they occur in floodplains of Northeast India, particularly in Loktak Lake of Manipur valley. The Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) located in the southern part of the Loktak Lake, with its characteristic floating meadows is the only natural habitat of the Manipur’s brow antlered deer Rucervus eldii eldii locally called the Sangai which is perhaps the most threatened deer species in India. These meadows, locally called phumdis, are a heterogeneous mass of soil, vegetation and organic matter in various stages of decomposition which occur in different thickness ranging from a few centimeters to about 2.5 m. With the construction of Ithai Barrage on Imphal River, the floating meadows, which used to settle during the lean season and get replenished with soil and nourishment, are now continuously floating, resulting in their thinning and thereby threatening the existence of Sangai. The floating meadows also provide a biological sink for the key nutrients and govern the water and nutrient dynamics of this Lake ecosystem. The need to study the ecology of the floating meadows and the role it plays is therefore immensely important for the conservation of the endangered Sangai. The major objectives of the proposed study were to; (a) examine the ecological conditions of the KLNP in terms of water quality and nutrient status (b) derive the species richness and plant community composition of the Park and, (c) to quantify the pattern of biomass production by the floating meadows and its utilization by Sangai and Hog deer
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    Demographic status and genetic variation of sangai in in Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Angom, Sangeeta; Hussain, S.A.
    The present study was intended to improve upon the existing ecological and genetic knowledge base of the severely fragmented and isolated population of sangai in the Keibul Lamjao National Park. The major objectives of the study were to estimate the abundance and demographic parameters of sangai and the associated cervids in the Park and to assess the genetic variability using mtDNA (cytochrome b and control region) genes and polymorphic microsatellite markers so as to develop appropriate measures for the conservation of this endangered species. The demographic status of sangai and hog deer in Keibul Lamjao National Park was determined by conducting the population estimation exercise during 2006 - 2008 using point count method. Deers were counted from eighteen bamboo machans and four observation points.
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    Ecology of otters in Corbett Tiger Reserve.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2008) Nawab, Asghar; Hussain, S.A.
    Otters are obligately tied to aquatic environments and are recognized as one of the top predators in the freshwater systems. Major threats to otter survival are the loss of wetland habitats, reduction in prey biomass and pollution. Developmental projects such as dams and barrages, and aquaculture activities have taken their toll on wetlands and consequently on the otters. Poaching, however, remains a major threat to their survival. The study was envisaged to appraise the impacts of making of dams on the ecology of otters in Corbett Tiger Reserve, since it is believed that the habitat of otters got fragmented due to the creation of a dam on the Ramganga River under the Kalagarh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project. It is generally believed that dams affect otter. In the Corbett Tiger reserve both smooth-coated and Eurasian otter have been reported. Our preliminary survey revealed that at the low lying areas such as the Ramganga, Mandal and Palain rivers, smooth-coated otter occurs. This study complies with smooth coated otter limited to the above mentioned areas only and data were collected for winter and summer seasons respectively between 2001 and 2004. The study was conducted with the following objectives: (a) To study the status and distribution pattern of otters in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and the adjacent aquatic ecosystems. (b) To examine the Resource use pattern of otters in relation to habitat and food availability. (c) To study the potential threats to otter populations in the study area.
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    Plant community structure and biomass productivity of seasonally flooded wetlands of Brahmaputra floodplains, Assam India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Sharma, Monika; Hussain, S.A.; Badola, Ruchi
    The study aimed to (a) examine the seed bank characteristics of seasonally flooded wet grasslands (b)Examine the plant species composition of these wet grasslands in terms of species diversity, richness and community structure (c) determine the biomass productivity of these wet grasslands in different inundation and management regimes and invasive removal (d) quantify the amount of biomass extracted by local people from Kaziranga tiger reserve,