Theses and Dissertations

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    A study on ethno-flora with special reference to Traditional Health Care System (THCS) in western Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Angmo, Kunzes; Adhikari, B.S.
    A study on ethno-flora with special reference to traditional health care systems (THCS) was conducted in Western Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (Indian Trans-Himalaya) during 2009-2013. The major objectives of the study were: i) to study and compare the traditional health-care system across major ethnic groups (Boto, Balti and Dards) in Suru, Wakha-chu and Lower Indus valleys, ii) to document the Traditional Knowledge System (TKS) across various ethnic groups, and iii) to assess the conservation status of ethno-medicinal plants in the study area. To meet the objectives of the study a detailed field investigation was undertaken in all the valleys. The field work involved questionnaire survey and group discussions in the three valleys to document traditional healthcare system (THCS), perception of people and allopathic doctors regarding THCS (objective 1); Interviews of local healers and different sections of the society to assess the status of traditional knowledge (objective 2); and Rapid survey of wild medicinal plants across various land forms, habitat and vegetation types so as to ascertain the distribution of ethno-flora across various landforms, and ethnoecology and conservation prioritization of Ethno-flora (objective 3). The study area is located above 2700m altitude and is characterized by unique geographical and socio-cultural attributes. Traditional medicine is one of the tangible heritage of the local people in Ladakh, which has been an indispensable source of both preventive and curative medicine.
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    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, Sas
    The 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.
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    Study on the Trends of Bushmeat Consumption and Traditional Hunting on Wild Fauna by Indigenous Community Living Near Protected Area in Nagaland.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Longchar, Satemmenla; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.
    Bush- meat Hunting is an integral part of a man's life specially people living in an indigenous community. This practice has evolved since primeval time. This has been rooted in the culture and traditions which plays an influential role in keeping those practices alive. Hunting is an art. And these arts are an integral part of shaping a man's role in the society. This is however becoming a calamitous action in destroying wildlife, often driving them into extinction-at global and local scale. With the over growing populations in the world and a huge demands for wildlife globally, for consumption, medicinal values, for clothing, and traditional adornments, these factors eventually lead to extermination of species at a rapid speed. Nagaland is in a region recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, in spite of the rampant hunting activities across the state. My study site Intanki National Park is located in Peren District of Nagaland. This park is categorized as Northern subtropical broad leave forest type. This park adjoins neighboring state of Assam's Dhansari reserve forest and hence an important area for connectivity for species. I conducted my field study from December 2012 to April 2013 in Intanki National park, Nagaland. I choose 6 sites for my study based on hunting intensity. A total of 60 transects of 1 km each was walked on the human and animal trails for estimating abundance of both mammal and birds separately. Along with that 240 plots for tracks and pellet count were sampled to estimate relative mammal abundance index. Camera traps sampling at each of the 6 sites vary from 50-99 trap nights. Relative density estimation of mammals from pellet results highest in site Camp2 with1.75 (0.34) and least in the community reserve with 0.22 (0.09), whereas relative density estimation for track plot was highest in site Longkhor Disa (1.4 (0.22) and least in community reserve (0.37 (0.02). For mammals the density estimation was 25.02 (3.64),for the bird's density, the highest was found in small sized birds with cluster size of 114.38 per sq.km, lowest density was for ground dwelling birds at 13.68 birds per sq.km. Site Occupancy (\f') and species richness for birds and mammals from camera traps and transect (n=60) was estimated at six sites. Data indicates that species richness of birds is highest in camp 2 (38) and least in Hatibu Disa (25). Richness of mammals was higher in the community reserve (20) and least in Hazab Disa area (5). The capture rate of all the species was higher in junction camp where as the lowest photographic capture rate was obtained from Hazab Disa. I surveyed a total number of 94 households and 16 hunters across 6 villages. From the questionnaires it was found that the Indian muntjac, common palm civet, jungle fowl and wild , pig are the most preferred species with 100% positive response from 94 households surveyed, for consumption. Traditional hunting techniques are being replaced by the modem Guns for killing animals. Besides, demand of wild animal for traditional medicinal usage also contributes to the hunting of animals. It was observed that hunting does not impact species richness. However, in mammals, there is negatively impact on ungulates (pellet density and encounter rate). For birds, the significant negative effect is found only on the medium sized birds. Equilibrium density (density to support hunting) was calculated by Individual hunted per year per 100 sq.km / growth rate. In my study, the deficit of species due to hunting was found most effective on Indian muntjac and Common palm civet. Over harvesting of this species through hunting will result in decline of the species population. I estimated sustainability of hunting and found out that most of the species are hunted beyond sustenance level; hence, if this is continuous, it might result · in the population and local extinction. In conclusion, in a society where bushmeat is an essential source of proteins, it is important to realize the current status of wild fauna and hence emphasis should be given to control and promote alternative.