Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/1
Browse
18 results
Search Results
Item Molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of Himalayan langur species complex(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Arekar, Kunal; Sathyakumar, S.; Karanth, PraveenAccumulation of genetic variation within different populations of a species is shaped by temporal changes in geography, climate and population demographic history via a combined effect of genetic drift, gene flow and selection. Physical barriers such as rivers and mountain ranges are known to prevent gene flow among populations, and over time, create population genetic structures. Given this background, present study used an integrative taxonomy of the Himalayan langurs and I further studied the role of different river valleys in the Himalayas as a potential barrier to gene flow.Item Aspects of Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) Ecology in Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Chaudhuri, Sankarshan; Sathyakumar, S.; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, QamarThis study was conducted to identify the aspects of the ecology of sloth bear. I conducted the fieldwork for this study for three years (2017-2019). The broad objectives of this study were: 1. To estimate the occupancy and abundance of sloth bears and identify environmental and anthropogenic factors which influence the same 2. To assess the space use patterns by sloth bears in terms of habitat use and den selection 3. To investigate the seasonal diet patterns of sloth bears 4. To assess the human-sloth bear conflict based on spatio-temporal interaction.Item An assessment of abundance, habitat use and prey selection by carnivores in Khanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Bashir, Tawqir; Sathyakumar, S.The present study conducted for about five years (2008-2012) was therefore designed to generate some baseline information on the carnivores of the least explored part of the eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot i.e., the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (BR~2,620 km²) with an attempt to assess their diversity, distribution, abundance, space use, food habits, activity patterns and the nature and extent of human-carnivore conflict, if any. An effort was also made to use this information in predicting suitable and priority areas for conservation action and in developing a protocol for long-term population monitoring of these species. Reconnaissance surveys were conducted in seven watersheds of the Khangchendzonga BR and the Prek chu watershed (182 km²) was selected for intensive field work. The study confirmed the presence of 19 species of carnivores from the KBR including 11 species of global conservation significance. In order to understand the factors that govern the co-existence of carnivores in the area their spatial, dietary and temporal patterns of recourse use were also assessed. This study provides the first scientific information on the ecology of carnivores in the Khangchendzonga BR and is of high significance to managers for efficient conservation and management of these ecologically important species and their habitats in such intricate habitats where accessibility and data collection is a limiting factor.Item Ranging Patterns of Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) with reference to food availability in Dachigam National Park, Kashmir(wildlife Institute of India, 2012) Sharma, Lalit Kumar; Sathyakumar, S.Asiatic black bear are threatened due to poaching for gall bladder (medicine), skin (ornamental), retaliatory killings to reduce bear-human conflicts, and due to large scale habitat degradation or loss. The present study was carried out during 2007-2011 to address the issues related to movement patterns of black bear in relation to food availability in Dachigam landscape and to understand the food and feeding habits of black bear in different seasons. Habitat characterization and mapping were carried out to assess habitat quality and to understand the level of fragmentation and composition of Dachigam landscape. The forest fragmentation analysis in the present study suggested intermediate level of fragmentation and it is likely to increase because of human encroachment on the forest land. The forested fragmentation can adversely impact the movement of bear in the landscape which may lead to demographic as well as genetic isolation of species, hence leading to population fragmentation and extirpation.Item Conservation and management of snow leopard and co-predators with special reference to large carnivore-human conflicts in select areas of western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Maheshwari, Aishwarya; Sathyakumar, S.The study aims to investigate occurrence, distribution of snow leopard, co-predators and their prey in Kargil, and some gaps areas in Greater Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh and in Greater Himalayan and Trans Himalayan regions in Uttarakhand. Objectives are as follows: Considering gaps in the knowledge on snow leopard in the Western Himalaya, this study focused on the following objectives 1. Determine conservation status and distribution of snow leopard and copredators in Kargil, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh 2. To assess occurrence and estimate density of prey species in Kargil 3. To asses food habits of snow leopard in Kargil, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh 4. To assess snow leopard-human conflicts in Kargil, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh 5. To Predict habitat suitability of snow leopards in the western Himalaya.Item Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) Abundance, Habitat Occupany Patterns, and Conflicts with Humans in and around Dachigam National Park, Kashmir.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Charoo, Samina Amin; Sathyakumar, S.The present study focused on the abundance estimation, habitat use patterns and human - bear interactions in Dachigam National Park and Dachigam Landscape, Jammu and Kashmir, India during the period 2007-2010. The abundance estimation is the basic information needed for any species. In this study abundance estimation of black bears was tried out through various methods: sign surveys, camera trapping and non- invasive genetic method. Sign surveys were carried out to understand the encounter rates of black bears within Dachigam National Park.Item Aspects of ecology of Hangul (Cervus elephas hanglu) in Dachigam National Park, Kashmir, India.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2006) Ahmad, Khursheed; Sathyakumar, S.; Qureshi, QamarThe Hangul or Kashmir Stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu) is a highly threatened species that has a restricted distribution confined to the Kashmir region. The Hangul is a one of the four eastern most subspecies of Red Deer of Europe (Cervus elaphus) and belongs to order Artiodactyla (even-toed animals) and family Cervidae or deer family. Compared to a very wide global distribution of Red deer, the Hangul has had a limited global distribution. Hangul were once distributed widely in the mountains of Kashmir in an arc of 40 Km extending from Karen in Kishenganga catchments in Bandipora over to Dorus in Lolab valley and Erin catchments in Bandipora to Chinab valley in Kishtwar. Some population of Hangul also occurred in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. However, during the recent past Hangul appears to have drastically declined from its past distribution range, possibly due to large scale biotic pressures owing to poaching, habitat fragmentation and degradation. At present the last surviving population of Hangul occurs only in 171 Km2 Dachigam National Park, although some relic populations also occur in the adjoining areas. The population of Hangul in Kashmir in 1900 was 3,000 and in 1947, there were 2,000 Hangul still surviving. But ten years later, the population got drastically reduced to about 400 individuals, and in 1970 Hangul population estimated was 140 - 170. The recent censuses carried out by the State Wildlife Protection Department in 2004 puts the Hangul population between 209-243 individuals. The most alarming threat to Hangul in Dachigam has been reported to be the excessive over grazing in the alpine meadows of Upper Dachigam by livestock including sheep and goat of the Government Sheep Breeding Farm located in Dachigam National Park. The past studies carried out in Dachigam National Park have shown that the range of Hangul In Dachigam National Park is restricted to Lower Dachigam with eastern boundaries at Gratnar, Waskhar and west of Dagwan. Keeping in view the given background and based on my preliminary surveys in in the first year of this study, the intensive study was carried out upto the above given boundaries of Lower Dachigam. There have been very little studies on Hangul compared to extensive studies carried out on its conspecifics Red Deer and Elk, and Himalayan Ungulates. There is still a lack of baseline information on the aspects of Hangul ecology prerequisite of its effective management and conservation planning. This stl1dy was as such initiated after a wildlife research gap of about 15 years in Kashmir valley in general and Dachigam in particular. This study was aimed at enhancing our scientific knowledge on the aspects of Hangul ecology such as population, habitat use and feeding ecology which are prerequisite of its effective long term management and conservation planning. During the study period (February 2001 to December 2004) a total of 693 surveys were carried out in these transects and survey blocks putting a total of 5668 km and 1839 hours effort, and a total of 326 Hangul sightings were recorded. All these Hangul sightings were recorded in lower Dachigam in an area of 41.20 km2 out of the total area of 171 Km2 of Dachigam National Park.Item Habitat Ecology of major ungulates in Kedarnath musk deer sanctuary, Western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1994) Sathyakumar, S.; Johnsingh, A.J.T.Present study on the habitat ecology of major ungulates in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary "(WS) was conducted from March 1989 to November 1991. The objectives of this study were to de,!elop suitable techniques for estimating ungulate abundance and density; to study their habitat utilization pattems; and to assess the status of ungulates and their habitats in different parts of the Kedarnath WS.Item Exploring ecological separation between Himalayan blue sheep and Himalayan ibex during winter in Indian Trans-Himalaya(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Prakruthi, G.M.; Sathyakumar, S.; Lyngdoh, Salvador; Bhatnagar, YashveerAccording to resource selection theory, two related species with similar ecological requirements compete for the same resources. They can only coexist if they are ecologically separated, either by habitat or food preference. This study explored the resource use and ecological separation of ibex (Capra sibirica himalayanus) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) during the winter in the Spiti Valley, focusing on their segregation in space, habitat use patterns, diet, and activity pattern. The study was conducted in Kibber and Chicham areas (57 km2) of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India. This study slightly deviates from the findings of a previous study by Namgail (2006), which reveals a high overlap in the habitat use between ibex and blue sheep in the Zanskar mountains. Systematic sampling using transects and trails, vantage points, opportunistic sampling, and camera traps was employed. Habitat and vegetation variables were recorded at random points and animal sightings to understand the patterns of habitat use and food selection. Spatial and temporal overlaps were analysed and micro-histological analysis of faecal samples compared the proportions of monocots and dicots in their diets. The study investigated how ungulates utilize habitats and their dietary habits with the availability of resources in their environment. Results showed substantial overlap in activity patterns, with the Jaccard similarity index indicating less spatial overlap between the species. The generalized linear model and Non-metric dimensional analysis indicated segregation based on their habitat preferences. However, there were no significant differences in their diets, the two species differed in the use of habitat at finer scales. Ibex preferred interspersed rocky slopes and slabs because of high rocky areas (escape terrain) and sparse vegetation, trading food for security. Blue sheep preferred less rocky areas with high vegetation cover like smooth slopes. Ibex preferred areas with more escape routes available than blue sheep. Thus, I conclude that Blue sheep, being more abundant than ibex, occupy distinct regions within the study area, and have a competitive advantage. While ibex are present in smaller numbers and confined to a specific region. Understanding their ecological requirements, especially in harsh winters, is crucial for targeted conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of these species in a rapidly changing environment. Future research should focus on climate change impacts on habitat use and resource availabilityItem Responses of Wild Ungulates to Anthropogenic Pressure and Perception of Local Communities Towards Conservation of Wild Ungulates in Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Chakama, Joonu; Sathyakumar, S.; Kawlni, Lallaianpuii; Kolipakam, VishnupriyaWith the increasing anthropogenic pressures, conservation of ungulates is ever more crucial as they help in maintaining the forest structure. The impact of anthropogenic pressures such as hunting of wild ungulates by local communities in Mizoram, India, is limited and lacks reliable information. This study was conducted in Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), Mamit district, Mizoram from January-Mid May, 2021 to quantify the responses of wild ungulates to the anthropogenic pressures, as a measure of conservation efforts. This study focussed on the population and distribution of ungulates in Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), Mizoram and assessed how the ungulates responded to human use areas. Stratified systematic sampling was done in an intensive study area (40 km2) to assess the ungulate density, distribution and activity pattern. In addition to that, the perception and attitude of local communities towards wild ungulates were also assessed. Estimates of the distribution, population and activity pattern of ungulates were obtained using single season occupancy model and cameratrap based distance sampling method whereas the local people perception and attitude were analysed based on answers from the semi-structured interview. The study was carried out on the Teirei and Phuldungsei range of the DTR. A total of 40 grids (1 km2 each) were sampled following the above framework. The grids were sampled using Camera-based distance sampling for population estimation in which the cameras were placed at the centroid of the grid. The density of the ungulates in two areas (high and low human use) could not be compared as the anthropogenic disturbance was homogenous throughout the study area. However, the pooled density of wild pig (0.55±0.23) was the highest among the other species, followed by barking deer (0.28±0.06) and sambar (0.20±0.09). The activities of the ungulates were at the peak from the crepuscular period to early morning and late evening. Occupancy pattern showed that barking deer distribution was influenced by the food availability/ground cover including areas near human habitations whereas sambar occurrence was negatively influenced by non-forest and presence of anthropogenic disturbance. Perception survey revealed that villagers showed positive perception towards ungulate conservation, however, in contrast to these responses, conservation practices in DTR by the local communities still lacks as intensive hunting still prevails. This study highlights the impact of anthropogenic pressure towards ungulates and how strengthen management interventions is necessary to ensure the conservation of ungulates in DTR.