Theses and Dissertations
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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 KumarHimalayan 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.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 Habitat suitability evaluation for leopard (Panthera pardus) using remote sensing and GIS in and around Chitwan National Park, Nepal(wildlife Institute of India, 2011) Thapa, Tej Bahadur; Mathur, V.B.; Goyal, S.P.The leopard Panthera pardus is one of the large felid of Asia and Africa that is threatened by habitat loss and direct conflicts with humans. Owing to low population densities and cryptic habits leopard has remained little studied. This study evaluated landscape characteristics; determined distribution and relative abundance of leopards, analyzed diets of leopards and assess the extent, nature of human leopard conflicts and examined habitat use and preference in and around the Chitwan National Park and Buffer Zone (CNPBZ), Nepal. Methodologies used to accomplish these objectives included remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS), ecological field work (line transect sampling for prey, camera trapping for leopard and scat collection), social surveys and lab work for diet determination using micro histological technique. Abundance and density information forms the baseline for conservation planning. Camera-trap surveys were carried out during winter 2008/09 and 2010. This study provided much needed baseline information on habitat characteristics of CNPBZ, abundance of leopard and prey population, feeding ecology and prey selection by leopard, leopard- human conflicts and habitat use of leopards.Item Study of leopard menace, food habits and habitat parameters in Mandi Distrcit, Himachal Pradesh.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Kumar, Devender; Chauhan, N.P.S.This study deals status, distribution and relative abundance of leopard in relation to habitat characteristics of leopard. Estimation of status of leopard population and its distribution become more important in an area when a species is highly threatened due to continuous habitat degradation and loss of habitat due to the increasing human population. Many carnivore species are rare or elusive, and documenting their distribution is difficult. Habitat requirement is also one of the most important factors which influence the distribution and abundance of a species, therefore habitat evaluation is a vital step in the formulation of carnivore management in an area. Large carnivores need large areas of relatively wild habitat. The assessment of nature and extent of man leopard conflict in relation to land use pattern. Carnivores exert a profound influence on biological communities via predation and interspecific competition. Human-carnivore conflict is considered to be a major conservation and rural livelihood issue because many carnivore species have been heavily persecuted due to elevated conflict levels with communities. Present study documented about the enormity of the problem, problem areas and human casualties and livestock depredation with respect to places of occurrence, season, time and circumstances of attack. It would help plan mitigation of leopard problem, besides conservation and future scientific management of the species in Mandi district, Himachal PradeshItem Golden Langur Distribution, Habitat Selection and Corridor – Connectivity: Assessing Patterns and Addressing Threats(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Basumatary, Rishi; Nath, Anukul; Gopi, G.V.; Chetry, DilipThe Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei), is an endangered colobine primate, confined to fragmented forest patches in western Assam, India, and south-central Bhutan. The golden langur has experienced severe habitat loss and fragmentation due to ethnolinguistic and religious conflicts between the late 1980s and late 1990s, followed by developmental activities in western Assam. The primary threat faced by the golden langur in India are the rapid reduction of its natural environment and the fragmentation of its habitat. Factors such as a limited population size, the breakdown of meta-population dynamics, and unique traits of a species often make a population in a fragment more likely to experience local extinction. Due to the significant decline in the range of Golden langur in both Bhutan and India, as well as the ongoing destruction of their habitat in India, it is imperative to safeguard even the smallest local populations. The populations residing in these fragmented Reserved Forests and Proposed Reserved Forests are effectively confined, separated from the primary breeding population, and susceptible to demographic and genetic influences. The objective of this study is to understand the current distribution, suitable habitat, and connectivity of corridors for the severely fragmented southern population of golden langur in India. Additionally, the study aims to examine the specific habitat preferences and demographic patterns of langur groups, as well as evaluate the threats that this fragmented population faces. The study was carried out in nine fragmented forest patches that includes Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Community managed RF (CMRF) Reserved Forest (RFs), and Private Rubber Plantations and Adjoining Forests (PRP_AF). In the present study, a total of 123 trails, ranging from 0.4 km to 1.6 km, were walked, covering a total distance of 118.72 kilometers. During these surveys, a total 51 troops (including 8 multi-male multi-female troops and 5 all-male groups), consisting of 499 individuals were encountered. The mean group size and age-sex ratio between different protected regimes that include wildlife sanctuary (WLS), community managed RF (CMRF), reserved forest (RF) and private rubber plantation and adjoining forests (PRP_AF) were compared. The overall mean group size of the langur was 9.78 (± 0.69 SE). Of the total 499 individuals, 13.22 % comprised of adult males, 41.88 % adult females, 16.83 % sub-adults, 10.02 % was juveniles and 18.03 % was infant. The average age-sex ratio of adult males to adult females was 0.287 (± 0.04 SE), juveniles to adult females was 0.224 (± 0.02 SE) and infants to adult females was 0.407 (± 0.04 SE). The infant to female ratio was found higher in wildlife sanctuary as compared to other reserved forests in the study area. The current study revealed that approximately 883 km² of the area is highly suitable for the endangered golden langur. Percent forest cover was found to be the most important variable in determining the probability of occurrence of golden langur in India. The corridor connectivity analysis showed high conductance for corridors namely Bamungaon and Khoragaon RF. Similarly, the connectivity is permeable between Kakoijana and Bamungaon. Other corridors identified in the study are Bhumeshwar Hill, Nakati RF and Kakoijana RF. On the other hand, there is high conductance among corridors of Chakrashila WLS and Nadangiri RF. Additionally, fine scale habitat selection study showed that tree species diversity, canopy cover and food plant density are the key in determining the occurrence of golden langur. In the last six years, a total of 56 mortality and injury incidents were reported from the study area which include 45 deaths and 11 injuries. Electrocution accounted for 29 cases, especially near forest edges, while 21 road accidents occurred mainly on national and state highways, as these roads are broader and have higher traffic volumes compared to village and town roads. Most accidents happened in the corridors between Chakrashila WLS-Nadangiri RF and Kakoijona RF-Bamungaon RF. Specific measures need to be taken to minimize electrocutions and road accidents of golden langur in the region. Mitigation measures like insulating electric lines and road safety protocols such artificial canopy bridges (ACB) and metal animal overpasses (MAOP) are essential for safe and easy movement along these corridors for the golden langur's survival in fragmented habitats