Theses and Dissertations
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Item An assessment of livelihood dependency and anthropogenic pressures on tiger habitat in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, India.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Gupta, Santanu; Mishra, B.K.Kalakad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) (8º 20’- 8º 53’ N and 77º10’- 77 º 35’ E) located at the southern end of Western Ghats is famous worldwide for it’s endemic plant diversity, and the reserve is home of endangered animals like lion-tailed macaque (Macaca Silenus), Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), and tiger (Panthera tigris). KMTR experienced high anthropogenic pressure in past from 145 villages situated outside eastern boundary of reserve as well as from enclave settlements. A number of activities aimed at conservation awareness among various stakeholders, off farm alternate employment generation opportunities for forest dependent families, promoting use of alternate fuels and energy saving devices, and biomass regeneration initiatives were taken up under this project. The impact of ecodevelopment in reducing PA resource dependency and consequent reduction of anthropogenic pressure on park was thoroughly analyzed by integrating ecological and socio-economic assessment. This overall assessment of dependency and pressure on KMTR during ecodevelopment could serve as a feedback mechanism to promote better integration of conservation and development in future. Objectives 1. To quantify the change in dependency of local communities upon PA resources. 2. To assess the change in anthropogenic pressures on the PA resources. 3. To examine the drivers of change with respect to dependency and pressures.Item Evaluation of impact of landscape changes on large mammal habitats in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Basu, Santanu; Sankar, K.A study on the vegetation and wildlife habitats was conducted in the Rajaji-Corbett National Parks and adjoining areas using remote sensing, geographical information system (GIS) and conventional field sampling techniques. Steady increase in anthropogenic pressures in this area has led to degradation and fragmentation of wildlife habitats and related environmental problems. While the two national parks have received attention due to their legal status, the surrounding areas such as the vital corridor connecting the two parks have been largely overlooked. This connecting forest faces dual threat from the surrounding villagers as well as the migratory pastoral communities viz., Gujjars and Bhotias. The literature review reveals that vegetation ecologists have conducted a few studies within Rajaji and Corbett National Parks. Most of the studies pertain to documentation and description of plant species, analysis of community structures, analysis of the problems of sal regeneration and habitat ecology of selected species in isolated areas. However, no effort had so far been made to analyse the overall terrain and landscape features in relation to vegetation structure in the area, which is essential for characterizing the wildlife habitat. Detailed maps depicting the vegetation types, terrain categories and habitat suitability for major ungulates were not available for the area. Similarly, no literature was available on the patterns of plant species diversity in relation to the habitat conditions. Therefore the present study was undertaken in this area. The specific objectives of the study area were to: 1) Spatially analyse the vegetation types, terrain categories and prepare maps for the same using remote sensing, 2) Study the structure and composition of various vegetation types in the corridor area.3) Study the patterns of plant species diversity and other related parameters. 4) Analyse habitat characteristics for major ungulates using Remote Sensing and GIS. The extensive study area was analysed through maps prepared using remote sensing techniques. This area covers about 10,766.7 km 2 and lies between 2900' to 30031' Nand 77015' to 80016' E. It includes the following national parks: a) Rajaji National park (820 km2 29052' to 30015' N and 77055' to 78019' E), and b) Corbett Tiger reserve (1320 km2, including 520 km2 of core area, 29025' to 29040' Nand 7805' to 7905' E).Item Reptilian species distribution in response to habitat fragmentation and microhabitats in the rainforests of southern Western Ghats, India.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Ishwar, N.M.; Chellam, RaviHabitat fragmentation has long been recognized as a threat to biological diversity and a major cause in the sudden increase in the extinction rates of species. Demographic and environmental stochasticity, habitat degeneration, the decrease in genetic variability and the influx of secondary forest species all lead to the extinction of forest species in the forest fragments. The forests in the various hill ranges in the Western Ghats are under anthropogenic pressure, mainly due to commercial plantations like tea, coffee, cardamom and spices and timber. The construction of dams for irrigation and hydroelectric power projects and roads and rapid urbanization are other ways by which the once contiguous middle elevation rainforests of the Western Ghats have been dismembered into scattered fragments. The rainforests of the Western Ghats is one of the richest biogeograpic zones in the country with more than 50% of the reptiles reported from the area being endemic to these forests. The most serious problem that is faced by the wildlife managers in the Western Ghats is that the remaining forests, especially the rainforests, occur in a highly fragmented state. The effect of rainforest fragmentation has taken its toll on the overall biological diversity with declines in reptile species contributing to this loss. Addressing this conservation problem becomes difficult in any forum, as studies on reptiles are few and poorly represented in literature. In this background, the objectives of the present study broadly defined here were to understand 1) the factors that govern the distribution of reptiles in the rainforests. The factors include both macro and microhabitat variables that the reptiles are know to respond to; and 2) to see if the process of rainforest fragmentation has affected the reptilian distribution and community structure, and to understand the direction of this impact. The study was divided in to two phases, the first phase was devoted to understanding the factors that were likely to influence the distribution of rainforest reptiles, while the second phase looked into the effects of rainforest fragmentation on reptiles. A combination of sampling techniques that included the adaptive cluster sampling (for leaf litter reptiles), the forest transects (for arboreal reptiles), stream surveys (for nocturnal stream dwelling reptiles) and opportunistic sampling was used to sample rainforest reptiles. Three sites in the contiguous rainforests of Kalakad-Mundanthurai . Tiger Reserve (KMTR), that broadly represented the altitude range and the different drainages, formed the site for the first phase of the fieldwork. The fourteen rainforest fragments in the Anamalai Hills were the study sites for the second phase of fieldwork where the effects of rainforest fragmentation were enumerated explore in detail the two major points expressed above, and detailed assessment of what is needed to promote reptile conservation is provided at the end.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 RISK ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS IN THE HABITAT, AND DIET OF SMOOTH-COATED OTTER (Lutrogale perspicillata) IN TUNGABHADRA OTTER CONSERVATION RESERVE (TOCR), KARNATAKA(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Ahmed K., Niyaz; Johnson, J.A.; Hussain, S.A.; Sah, RuchikaSmooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), is a vital indicator species for freshwater ecosystems, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Despite their essential place in the food web, they are always neglected compared to other terrestrial carnivores. This study explores the distribution, diet, and, ecotoxicological exposures to smooth-coated otters in Tungabhadra Otter Conservation Reserve, Karnataka. The study area, encompassing a 36km stretch of the Tungabhadra River (TOCR), is a unique habitat facing significant anthropogenic pressures, including mining activities and pollution, which threaten the local biodiversity and otter populations. The distribution of smooth-coated otters in TOCR was assessed through intensive sign surveys, revealing a clumped distribution pattern. Otter signs, including spraints, pugmarks, and grooming sites were dominant signs found in the landscape. Dietary analysis was examined by analysing the spraints (scat), using two methods frequency of occurrence method, and the score bulk estimate method revealing a predominantly piscivorous diet. The diet consisted of about 14 species out of which 69.53% is constituted of non–native fish species (Oreochromis mossambicus, Labeo rohita, Cyprinus carpio, and Cirrhinus cirrhosus). Ecotoxicological assessments were performed on water, sediment, fish, and spraint samples to evaluate the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). While PTE concentrations in water and sediment were generally below harmful thresholds, their presence poses a long-term risk through bioaccumulation. Risk assessment indicated significant potential health risks from metals like mercury and arsenic, which could impact otter healItem 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.