Theses and Dissertations
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Item Distribution of major alien invasive plants and impact assessment of Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) K & R. in Kailash Sacred Landscape, Uttarakhand(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Chaudhary, Alka; Adhikari, B.S.; Rawat, G.S.The study was conducted to assess the spread, distribution, impact of invasion in Indian part of Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL) characterized by interspersion of human habitations, extensive forest managed by the State Forest Department and local community institutions (Van Panchayat). The objectives of the study were (i) To model spatial distribution of selected plant invasive species using distribution modeling technique. (2) To assess the impacts of IAPs on native flora and relationship with habitat parameters (3) To analyze people's perception towards the spread of IAPs in KSL India landscape (4) Experimental trials on Eco restoration of habitats and prediction of future spread for better managementItem Genetic assessment of the Non-descript pig breeds across selected regions of Uttarakhand(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Sahoo, Khushboo; Gupta, S.K.; Gopi, G.V.India, which has ancient history of pig rearing, is home to several indigenous pig breeds that reflect the adaptation of Sus scrofa to different environmental and cultural conditions. However, only 13 of these breeds are currently recognized and documented by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. The present research was undertaken to identify the spatial distribution, socio-economic status, pig husbandry methods of pig rearers, and the impact of Exotic pig breed on the indigenous breed and ecology of the region. As molecular characterization is a valuable tool that provides insights into the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of the current pig breed raise in a region. Hence by incorporating molecular techniques in understanding of the domestic pig breed and their interactions with ecosystems, promote more precise and science-based management that contributes to biodiversity conservation and sustainable husbandry practices. The present study will also aim to evaluate the maternal lineage, genetic diversity and population structure of the domestic pig breeds at the regional scale, using microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences. The survey and sampling was done in the planar (Dehradun, Haridwar and Nainital) districts of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of India that lies in the foothills of Himalayas, where rapid urbanisation and continuous migration make us reconsider the necessity of an organise promotion of the piggery sector due to its multiple ecological implications.Item Monitoring prey dynamics and diet flucuations of leopard (Panthera pardus) in Dachigam National Park, Srinagar, J&K(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Zaffar, Rais MirLeopard (Panthera pardus) is known for its ecological flexibility and wide distribution range. However, like other large carnivores, leopards are declining throughout their range due to habitat conversion, prey depletion, intense persecution and poaching for trade. In Kashmir valley leopard is at the top of the food chain and an apex predator that aids in regulating prey populations. Conservation and management planning of the leopards in Kashmir valley is impeded by the paucity of reliable empirical ecological information. There has been an increase in the human leopard conflict in the valley which, if left unnoticed, will worsen the conservation prospects of this threatened felid. Hence, this study was initiated to investigate the feeding ecology of leopard in Dachigam National Park and the human carnivore conflict around the park. The objectives of the study were estimating seasonal density and spatial distribution of prey species of leopard, studying the food habits and prey selectivity of leopard and quantifying the nature and extent of human-carnivore conflict around Dachigam National Park. The population of wild prey species was estimated in Dachigam National Park on seasonal basis using Distance sampling techniqueItem 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 streamItem Diversity and distribution of Moth Assemblages Along Altitudinal Gradient in Gangotri Landscape, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Sanyal, Abesh Kumar; Uniyal, V.P.This study intends to document the extent of moth assemblages that exist amongst various habitats in a typical Western Himalayan altitudinal gradient in Gangotri Landscape Area (GLA). In this study, using the elevation gradient as natural experiment, the faunal structure and diversity of the moth assemblage featuring all the major macro and micromoth families as well as relationships between moths and their biotic and abiotic environments were explored. Specific objectives of the study were: (1) Documenting and prepare taxonomic inventory of rich moth fauna of Gangotri Landscape Area; (2) To assess diversity and distribution of moth assemblages among different elevations and vegetation types of Gangotri Landscape; (3) To analyze the influence of altitude, seasons, vegetation types and anthropogenic disturbance factors on moth assemblages; (4) To investigate morphometric changes (body size and proportional body parts) in moths along altitudinal gradient. The study was conducted in Gangotri Landscape Area (GLA), a vast conservation network in the North-Western part of Uttarakhand, in district Uttarkashi. A total of 670 morphospecies belonging to 22 families and 356 genera were collected during entire sampling period from 2008-2012. This study is an important step towards better understanding of a long-neglected but diverse and charismatic herbivorous insect assemblage in Himalayan temperate altitudinal gradient.Item 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 destructionItem 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, SamuelCultural 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.Item Conserving Natural Heritage Through Genetic Assessment : The Case of Snow Leopards in Ladakh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Vishnuvardhan; Jhala, Y.V.; Srinivas, YellapuNatural 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 conservationItem 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.Item 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.SureshLantana 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.