Theses and Dissertations
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Item Ranging and Habitat Utilization by the Himalayan Ibex (Capra ibex sibirica) in Pin Valley National Park.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1997) Bhatnagar, Yashveer; Rawat, G.S.The Himalayan ibex is an important prey species of the endangered apex predator of the alpine region, the snow leopard (Schaller 1977). There is an imminent threat to the trans-Himalayan areas in India due to increasing human activities. In this context the study is conducted to study ibex in a relatively safe population to learn about its habitat requirements and ranging behaviour. The study area is part of the Pin Valley National Park (PVNP; 31o 6' 40'' to 32o 2' 20'' N latitude and 77o 41' 21" to 78o 6' 19" E longitude), located in the South-East of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal PradeshItem An ecological study on the pheasants of Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2003) Ramesh, K.; Rawat, G.S.The primary focus of the study was to describe the ecological and spatial distribution of three sympatric pheasant species, namely, Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus), koklass (Pucrasia macrolopha) and western tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) in the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP; 31 0 33' - 31 0 57' N and 770 17' - 770 52' E) in Himachal Pradesh, India. The specific were to: (i) review and test the currently available count techniques and provide estimates of relative abundance; (ii) document group size characteristics; (iii) describe habitat preference and investigate species coexistence; and (iv) develop a spatial model to predict availability of the potential habitats and the probability of occurrence of the study species. The study design included three broad approaches, namely, 1) field sampling, to estimate relative abundance and other behavioral and ecological parameters, 2) associative approach, to establish a relationship between the ecological distribution of the study species and habitat characteristics, and 3) Geographical Information System (GIS) based predictive spatial modelling. An area of 16 km2 was selected within GHNP, based on reconnaissance survey and literature, to serve as an intensive study areaItem An ecological study of sympatric hornbills and fruiting patterns in a tropical forest of Arunachal Pradesh.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Datta, Aparajita; Rawat, G.S.The tropical forests in north-east India have a diverse assemblage of hornbills (Bucerotidae), ranging from the cooperatively breeding Brown hornbills (Anorrhinus spp.) to the monogamous and territorial Great hornbill (Buceros b{cornis). Focussing on three sympatric species, the Great hom bill (Buceros bicornis), the Wreathed hornbill (Aceros undulatus), and the Oriental Pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), in a lowland semievergreen forest of Arunachal Pradesh this study attempted. the dispersal syndromes of tree species were evaluated, and their patterns of flowering and fruiting examined. The study was conducted in the lowland semievergreen forests of Pakhui National Park, western Arunachal Pradesh.Item Ecological impacts of anthropogenic pressures on high altitude forests along Bhagirathi catchment.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Awasthi, Anjali; Rajvanshi, Asha; Rawat, G.S.The forests of Bhagirathi catchment in Garhwal Himalaya (Uttaranchal) have faced anthropogenic pressures since pre-British period. However, human induced disturbances increased during British period when the commercial exploitation of these forests started. It was during this period that the cultivation of potato and apple orchards were introduced in the region. These initial phases of transformation paved way for more recent changes in land-use practices and degradation of high altitude forests. The modern phase of degradation started with the construction of road to Gangotri in the middle of 20th century and opening up of Garhwal for tourism which led to development of infrastructural facilities and influx of mass tourism in the inner valleys. These added pressures on the remaining forests of Bhagirathi valley. 2. Ecological impacts of anthropogenic pressures and patterns and processes of forest degradation have not been quantified in this valley so far. Therefore, the present study was carried out in a part of the Bhagirathi catchment (78015' to 790 E long. & 30030' to 31 008' N lat.). The objectives of the study were: to assess the resource use patterns of villagers, transhumant communities and tourists, to assess the impacts of anthropogenic activities on forests and wildlife and to detect changes inland-cover classes over time and space. The study area is visited seasonally by various transhumant communities who also depend on the surrounding forests for a period of about six months. Four forms of transhumance viz., Nomadism, Semi-nomadism, Transmigration and Nuclear Transhumance were identified in the Bhagirathi valley. -Nomadism is followed by Gujjars, semi-nomadism by Gaddis, transmigration by Jadhs and Garhwalis and Nuclear transhumance by resident Garhwalis. Nomadic people have temporary hutsat both summer and winter settlements whereas transmigrants have permanent houses. Seminomadic and nuclear transhumants have one temporary and one permanent settlement. The impact of 'resource extraction by locals, transhumant communities and tourists on the forests was assessed. It was found that forests located close to villages (zone-I) and temporary settlements (zone-III) were under high lopping/cutting pressure.Item A study on the structure and composition of forests along an altitudinal gradient in upper Bhagirathi catchment, Garhwal Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Uniyal, Sanjay; Rawat, G.S.; Biswas, SasThe present study highlighted the role of anthropogenic factors in distribution of plant communities in addition to altitude, aspect and slope. Market oriented economy has influenced the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local people. Though human-induced pressures are increasing in the area, still the status of forests in Bhagirathi valley is satisfactory compared to neighbouring areas. Hence, proper conservation and scientific management of such rich and diverse forest in small watersheds should be taken up on a priority basis. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Field work (primary source) was carried out during July 1996 to July 1999. Stratified random sampling was done for quantification of various vegetation and site parameters. The study area lies between 780 18' to 780 57' E long and 300 30' to 31 0 08' N lat. It covers an area of ca 2050 sq.km. and has an altitudinal gradient of 279 to 6600 m. For the intensive work two representative watersheds viz., north facing Duggada watershed (DWS) and south facing Bhatwari watershed (BWS) were selected. Objectives of the study include: preparation of baseline vegetation maps of the area, assessment of forest structure and composition, quantification of available woody biomass, documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge of local people and assessing the conservation status of rare plants in the area.Item The ecology and conservation of ungulates in Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1999) Vinod, T.R.; Rawat, G.S.Ungulates form a major component of the mammalian fauna in the Himalaya. In total, 19 ungulate species belonging to four families viz., Moschidae, Cervidae, Bovidae and Equidae, inhabit the Himalaya, out of which eight species are reported from the state of Himachal Pradesh (HP). Apart from some surveys and short term ecological studies on a few ungulate species of Western Himalaya, there has been no detailed study on ungulates of HP except for Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex sibirica). The available literature highlights the difficulties of studying rare and/ or elusive ungulates in Himalayan condition. Long term study on the ecology of theses' species are needed for the conservation and monitoring. Present study on the ecology and conservation of ungulates namely goral (Nemorhaedus qoral), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrvsogaster), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), in Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu district, HP, was conducted from January 1996 to November 1998. An intensive study area of ca. 90 km2 was selected in the South-western region of. the Park, which represents various ecological zones of the Park. The objectives of the study were (i) to estimate the abundance and density of goral, Himalayan musk deer & Himalayan tahr in relation to human use, (ii) to determine the group size. composition & sex ratio of these animals. (iii) to study the habitat use pattern and (iv) to identify and discuss conservation issues. mitigation measures and to develop a long term' monitoring programme. In this study an attemp has been made to estimate the abundance and density of major ungulates viz, goral, Himalayan musk deer and Himalayan tahrItem Ecological studies on the grassland of Eravikulam National Park, Kerala.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1998) Karunakaran, P.V.; Rawat, G.S.An ecological study on the. montane grasslands of Eravikulam National Park (ENP), the Western Ghats, was conducted during 1992-1996, with the following objectives: (i). to prepare a complete floristic inventory of the grasslands of ENP, (ii). to identify the grassland communities, their structure, function and successional trends along the anthropogenic gradient, (iii). to determine the forage quantity in different ecological conditions and (iv). to study the effect of fire and tree plantations on the grasslands. 2. The ENP lies between 10° 5’ to 10°20’ N and 77° to 77°10’ E with an area of 97 km2 in the Southern Western Ghats. The study recommends the following research and management strategies for the long term conservation of Shola-Grassland ecosystems and endangered Nilgiri tahr: (a) inclusion of adjecent reserved forests with shola-graslands in the park, (b) boundary verification and better patrolling to check the illegal activities and fire hazards, (c) early burning in selected areas on experimental basis, (d) control of black wattle spreading, (e) ecodevelopment measures for the Lakkamkudi village, (f) better tourism management and (g) long term monitoring of exclosures and representative shola-grassland patches.Item A study on the vegetation of shivaliks and outer himalaya in Dehradun dun district Uttar Pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1996) Bhaisora, N.S.; Rawat, G.S.The subtropical zone or Bhabar tract in north India, characterized by fertile alluvial plains (Doons) and fragile Shivalik hills of Tertiary period, lies between the Upper Gangetic plains and outer Himalaya revealing the floral and faunal affinities with both the regions. Extensive cultivation, dense human population, industrial developments and livestock grazing in this area has caused fragmentation and degradation of forests. Of about 40,000 km2 only < 2000 km2 area has been brought under protected area (PA) coverage e.g., Rajaji and Corbett National Parks. The remaining forests continue to degrade. 2. Sal (Shorea robusta), a commercially "important tree, IS considered as climax species in this tract and has been studied extensively. However, there is a paucity of information on the overall conservation status and regeneration of forests in this area. Therefore present study was, undertaken with the following objectives: i) to study the structure and composition of the woody vegetation (tree and shrub layer) along the gradients of altitude and human use in Shivaliks and outer Himalaya, ii) to study the species diversity and human-animal use patterns in various zones, and iii) to assess and compare the regeneration status of Sal and associated tree species in the Shivaliks and outer Himalaya. 3. The study was conducted within about 500 km2 area in the lower parts of Debra Dun district, Uttar Pradesh (290 57' to 310 20' N lat and 770 35' to 190 20' E long). The study area also included parts of western Rajaji National Park, westerns Shivalik Forest Division, forests in Doon Valley, protected forest patches adjacent to Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Indian Military Academy (IMA) , Forest Research Institute (FRI), Upper parts of Rajpur, Malsi and mine reclamation sites near MussoorieItem Habitat use by Chital (Cervus axis) in Dhaulkhand, Rajaji National Park, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1993) Bhat, Sridhar D.; Rawat, G.S.A study on the habitat use by chital or spotted deer (Cervus axis) was conducted in Dhaulkhand Rajaji National Park, from November 1992 to May 1993. The objectives of the study were to understand the spatio-temporal use of habitats by chital and to identify the factors that govern the patterns of habitat use. Foot transects were used to estimate the densities of chital and quantify the availability and utilization of resources.Item Habitat use by the Great Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the other sympatric large herbivores in Kaziranga National Park(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Banerjee, Gitanjali; Rawat, G.S.; Choudhury, B.C.A study on the habitat use by the Great One horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and three other sympatric ungulates was carried out in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Assam during December 2000 to April 2001. KNP supports more than half the world's population of the Indian Rhinoceros, a highly endangered species. Since this park also supports a high diversity and density of herbivores coexisting in a typical floodplain habitat, it was an ideal place to conduct the following study. The study aimed to determine how 4 large herbivore species rhino, wild buffalo, swamp deer and hog deer achieve spatial and temporal separation across two seasons. The study also investigated how nutritive content of the forage determines habitat selection by these species. KNP was an ideal place to study habitat use patterns by these four sympatric species due to the seasonal variation of forage quality caused by the practice of annual burning. Sampling for animal abundance within each habitat type over two seasons was done by monitoring transects. Feeding observations were obtained by scan sampling. Laboratory analysis was done to determine the nutritive content of the available forage during winter and summer. Seasonal and spatial differences observed in habitat occupancy patterns by the ungulate species within KNP seem to be a way of partitioning resources in order to minimize competition. During the winter season all ungulates selected the short grasslands for feeding. The wild buffalo and the swamp deer showed no variation in the habitat occupancy patterns showing a positive selection for the short grasslands. However, rhinos and hog deer were observed to prefer the tall, burnt and sprouting grasslands in summer for feeding during summer. When habitat occupancy patterns were correlated with the nutritive value of the forage it was found that all ungulates tracked high crude protein levels in available forage. Rhinos and hog deer formed an association that exploited areas that have high crude protein and low silica content. Wild buffaloes and swamp deer show less flexibility in habitat occupancy patterns and were observed to feed in short grasslands where there was a relatively high amount of crude protein available during both the seasons. The study revealed that crude protein played an important role in determining habitat use by hog deer, which shows a linear relationship with crude protein. Forage volume, an indicator of available food played a significant role in determining habitat use patterns for the large bodied ungulates, namely the rhino and the wild buffalo which is in keeping with their physiology and body requirements. There seems to be partitioning of space by the ungulates on the basis of body size and dietary separation. Rhino and hog deer were observed to formed one guild whereas wild buffalo and swamp deer formed another one. These two groups differed in the pattern of habitat occupancy suggesting that ecological separation in Kaziranga National Park, perhaps occurs on the basis of differential use of the habitat by ungulates that have a similar body size. There was an observed complementation of body sizes within each association. A large bodied ungulate associated with another ungulate that was much smaller in size. and therefore, had different ecological needs.