Theses and Dissertations

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Food habits of sympatric large herbivores in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Devi, Anita; Hussain, S.A.; Badola, Ruchi
This study aims to a. address the welfare state of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) based on environmental factors and individual-level differences, and b. propose a methodological framework for evaluation and improvement welfare in captive environments. In this chapter, I will set up the context for this study with a brief chronology of our understanding of the origin of animal welfare and the science of zoo biology and their relevance to the Asiatic lion conservation breeding programme (CBP)
Role of provisioning and cultural ecosystem services of Protected Area in supporting human health
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Shekhar, Shashank; Badola, Ruchi
Ecosystem Services (ES) are vital ecological functions that contribute significantly to human well-being. This study explores the provisioning and cultural ecosystem services provided by Kaziranga National Park (KNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam, India, and their role in supporting the health and well-being of local communities. Despite extensive research on the general benefits of natural environments, specific studies on protected areas and their direct health benefits are sparse. This research addresses this gap by assessing how KNP's ecosystem services influence human health and well-being. The study aims to evaluate the multifaceted benefits of KNP, focusing on provisioning services such as fish, wild fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants, as well as cultural services including recreation, aesthetic value, and traditional cultural practices. Methodologically, the research employs household surveys, interviews, economic valuation techniques, and ethnographic studies to gather comprehensive data on resource usage, cultural significance, and health outcomes. Data collection spans from 2018 to 2022, involving 750 households from 31 villages within KNP's zone of influence, along with a tourist survey of 379 individuals who visited KNP. Key findings reveal that local communities heavily depend on resources from the vicinity of KNP, with significant economic and health benefits. Provisioning services such as fish and wild vegetables contribute substantially to food security and traditional healthcare, while cultural services enhance mental health and community cohesion. The study establishes a positive correlation between the use of these ecosystem services and improved health metrics, such as reduced disease incidence and better overall quality of life. Additionally, cultural engagement within the park correlates with higher household income and educational access. The research underscores the critical role of natural ecosystems in supporting human health and advocates for integrated conservation and health policies. Sustainable management practices, community engagement, and technological advancements are recommended to preserve KNP's biodiversity and enhance its benefits. Future research should expand to include supporting and regulating services and assess the long-term impacts of climate change on KNP's ecosystem services. In conclusion, this study highlights the significant socio-economic and health benefits derived from KNP's ecosystem services, emphasizing the need for policies that integrate environmental conservation with public health and community development. Kaziranga
See Through Sound : Understanding the Pattern of Habitat use by Ganetic River Dolphin in the Kaziranga Part of Brahmaputra River
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Abhishek, B.; Qureshi, Qamar; Johnson, J.A.
Studying the habitat and its associated features is important because of its driving factors that limits the abundance and distribution of a species. This study mainly focuses upon the abundance, distribution, activity and habitat use pattern of Gangetic river dolphins in part of the Brahmaputra River that flows through Kaziranga National Park. The abundance of Gangetic river dolphin and its relatedness to the different habitat features of the river and fish species were studied. The 92 km length of river in the study area was divided in to 43 segments, which were further broadly classified in to different river morphology.
Habitat use by the Great Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the other sympatric large herbivores in Kaziranga National Park
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Banerjee, Gitanjali; Rawat, G.S.; Choudhury, B.C.
A study on the habitat use by the Great One horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and three other sympatric ungulates was carried out in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Assam during December 2000 to April 2001. KNP supports more than half the world's population of the Indian Rhinoceros, a highly endangered species. Since this park also supports a high diversity and density of herbivores coexisting in a typical floodplain habitat, it was an ideal place to conduct the following study. The study aimed to determine how 4 large herbivore species rhino, wild buffalo, swamp deer and hog deer achieve spatial and temporal separation across two seasons. The study also investigated how nutritive content of the forage determines habitat selection by these species. KNP was an ideal place to study habitat use patterns by these four sympatric species due to the seasonal variation of forage quality caused by the practice of annual burning. Sampling for animal abundance within each habitat type over two seasons was done by monitoring transects. Feeding observations were obtained by scan sampling. Laboratory analysis was done to determine the nutritive content of the available forage during winter and summer. Seasonal and spatial differences observed in habitat occupancy patterns by the ungulate species within KNP seem to be a way of partitioning resources in order to minimize competition. During the winter season all ungulates selected the short grasslands for feeding. The wild buffalo and the swamp deer showed no variation in the habitat occupancy patterns showing a positive selection for the short grasslands. However, rhinos and hog deer were observed to prefer the tall, burnt and sprouting grasslands in summer for feeding during summer. When habitat occupancy patterns were correlated with the nutritive value of the forage it was found that all ungulates tracked high crude protein levels in available forage. Rhinos and hog deer formed an association that exploited areas that have high crude protein and low silica content. Wild buffaloes and swamp deer show less flexibility in habitat occupancy patterns and were observed to feed in short grasslands where there was a relatively high amount of crude protein available during both the seasons. The study revealed that crude protein played an important role in determining habitat use by hog deer, which shows a linear relationship with crude protein. Forage volume, an indicator of available food played a significant role in determining habitat use patterns for the large bodied ungulates, namely the rhino and the wild buffalo which is in keeping with their physiology and body requirements. There seems to be partitioning of space by the ungulates on the basis of body size and dietary separation. Rhino and hog deer were observed to formed one guild whereas wild buffalo and swamp deer formed another one. These two groups differed in the pattern of habitat occupancy suggesting that ecological separation in Kaziranga National Park, perhaps occurs on the basis of differential use of the habitat by ungulates that have a similar body size. There was an observed complementation of body sizes within each association. A large bodied ungulate associated with another ungulate that was much smaller in size. and therefore, had different ecological needs.

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