Theses and Dissertations

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    Ecology of Golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Chourasia, Pooja
    This study aimed to examine the abundance and occupancy of jackal with the application of photographic captures using camera traps and diet composition through scat analysis, investigate species-habitat relationships from habitat features (non-spatial) and remotely sensed features (spatial) to understand how these variables govern occurrence pattern and predict the distribution of jackal in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. In India, jackal populations achieve high densities in pastoral areas such as Kutch, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Haryana. This study will vitally improve our state of knowledge to protect jackal and assist the development of theory on their social structure, behavior and habitat preferences in forested ecosystem. The study will help in suggesting localized monitoring mechanisms wherever necessary as this is important in minimizing surprise cases of extinction. The objectives of this study are as follows:-1. To determine the abundance of golden jackal. 2. To estimate the food availability, food habits and dietary niche overlap between golden jackal and other meso-carnivores.3. To evaluate the den site selection by golden jackal and, 4. To evaluate the habitat use by golden jackal. The study was conducted from 2010-2013 in Sariska Tiger Reserve (79° 17’ to 76°34’N and Latitude: 27° 5’ to 27° 33’ E), Rajasthan. Selected 160 km2 of intensive study area which was divided into four blocks. A total of 160 locations were selected for the placement of camera traps where, each block having 21 camera trap stations. Peafowl was observed to be the most abundant prey species throughout the study period. Amongst the wild prey species, nilgai was observed to be the most abundant wild ungulate prey species followed by, chital, wild pig and sambar in the study area..The Species distribution data was collected from camera trapping, direct sighting records, scat locations and track locations and was pooled for the entire study period 2010-2013, collectively making 413 observed point locations in the intensive study area.
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    Study on distribution and relative abundance of large mammals and impact of human disturbance in and arond Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Ahmed, Arif; Gopi, G.V.
    The current study was started to gather baseline data on a few ecological factors (Diversity, distribution, relative abundance, Activity pattern and habitat preference) of selected large animals in Mehao WS. Northeast India. The study period was November 2017 to 2020. The objectives of the study are 1. To estimate the relative abundance and occupancy of selected large mammals in and around Mehao wildlife sanctuary. 2. To develop Habitat suitability model for selected large mammals in and around Mehao WS 3. To analyse the land use/land cover change pattern and to identify the main driving factors.
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    Evaluating the use of Camera-Traps for population estimation of unmarked individuals using spatially explicit models in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Chatterjee, Nilanjan; Habib, Bilal
    Wildlife monitoring is of fundamental importance to establish baseline information, measure population changes and extinction risk. Motion-triggered camera traps are an increasingly popular tool for monitoring terrestrial species over large landscapes. Over the years, the application of camera traps has increased exponentially but studies aiming at fundamental information about sampling design and protocols are still limited to simulation studies. In this dissertation, we have used occupancy as an indicator of effective species monitoring. Occupancy has become a robust and unbiased state variable to monitor species worldwide. However, the optimal sampling design required for robust estimations of occupancy is lacking for many species.The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) is situated in the Chandrapur district in the the Vidharbha Landscape of Maharashtra state, between 204’53” to 2025’51’’ N and 7913’13” to 79 33’34” E (Figure 6). The TATR is distributed over an area of 1700 sq. km which consists of Tadoba national park and Andhari wildlife sanctuary.
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    A geospatial framework to assess ecological connectivity & their persistence for Central India Landscape.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Saini, Swati; Qureshi, Qamar
    The study explored the occupancy probability for carnivores in 100 sq km grids and at 25 sq.km for herbivore to surrogate, their habitat suitability. These models were further used to model corridors between protected areas using Circuit theory least cost pathway analysis and estimated the changes in land use land cover in and around the identified corridors using the time series and change detection technique. The region of central India comprising five states viz. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand has been taken up as study area. . The research work was carried out with three objectives: 1. Mapping Ecological connectivity between source populations of representative species of central Indian Landscape. 2. Assessment of spatio-temporal land use /land cover changes using time series & predictive change modelling in and around corridor habitats of the central Indian Landscape. 3. To evaluate the macro drivers of change across major linkages and attempt to model their persistence.
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    Spatial pattern in the occupancy and abundance of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) in western Shivalik landscape, India.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Fernandes, Merwyn; Sathyakumar, S.; McGowan, Phillip
    This study was to identify landscape-level patterns of distribution, abundance and habitat occupancy of G. gallus across different spatial and temporal scales in a forest landscape, to help guide strategies for Galliformes conservation management. The present study was undertaken in an area (29˚54’ to 30˚24N and 77˚32’ to 79˚12’ E) that is situated within the Shiwalik Hills of Northwestern India, in the districts of Dehradun and Haridwar in Uttarakhand State. G. gallus is listed as a ‘Least Concern’ species, making an assessment of their status requires reliable information on population size and distributions. The structural component of understorey was one of the most important factor that determined occupancy and detection probabilities for the species. The structural components are known to provide cover to G.gallus, and other gallinaceous species that nest on the forest floor. The main threat to G. gallus is hybridisation and hence there is an urgent need to assess ranging patterns, survivorship and other basic demographic parameters, population status, genetic variability and purity of G.gallus in areas adjoining PAs where most of these forests have multiple uses and domestic/feral fowls are in close proximity in order to keep the common species common.
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    Ecology of sympatric small carnivores in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Kale, Riddhika; Sarkar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar
    This study aimed to examine the abundance and occupancy of small carnivores with the application of photographic captures using camera traps and diet composition of small carnivores through faecal analysis, investigate seasonal species-habitat relationships from microhabitat (non-spatial) and remotely sensed features (spatial) to understand how these variables govern their occurrence pattern and predict the distribution of small carnivores in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats. The study was conducted from 2009-2011 in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (11°32' 11°43'N; 76°22'-76°45'E), Western Ghats. This study will critically improve our state of knowledge to protect lesser carnivores and aid the development of theory on their social structure, behavior and habitat preferences.Study species include jungle cat (Felis chaus), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), rusty spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), brown palm civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni), grey mongoose (Herpestes erdwardsii), ruddy mongoose (Herpestes smithii) and stripe-necked mongoose (Herpestes vitticollis). The objectives of this study area as follows:- 1. To determine the abundance and occupancy of small carnivores in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. 2. To study the dietary pattern of small carnivores. 3. To determine spatial and non-spatial variables governing the occupancy of small carnivores and 4. To predict the distribution pattern of small carnivores through habitat suitability modeling in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
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    Factors affecting habitat occupancy of tiger in the Terai Arc landscape, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2009) Rajapandian, K.; Goyal, S.P.; Qureshi, Qamar
    The goal of this study, therefore, was to identify the factors affecting the distribution of tiger and assess the distribution of suitable habitat patches and the connectivity between these patches for successful dispersal in the Indian part of TAL. In the present study developed GIS probability models for tiger and its prey species and a spatially explicit individual-based dispersal model (SEIBM) for tiger in order to identify and assess the factors which are affecting the occupancy of tiger and subsequently predict potential suitable habitats and estimate the connectivity between the fragmented subpopulations in the Indian as well as between Indian and Nepal part of TAL. Data were collected on presence/absence of four wild ungulates (sambar Cervus unicolor, chital Axis axis, nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, and wild pig Sus scrofa), which are important prey species of tiger in two phases during the period between 2002 and 2006. The results of this study, in addition to contributing to the knowledge on factors affecting suitable habitat distribution and dispersal of tiger, have many implications for conservation of tiger in the Indian part of TAL. This study has also identified critical areas needed for management initiatives for functional unit of tiger conservation in the TAL.
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    Occupancy and abundance of tigers and their prey in Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Karki, Jhamak Badur; Jhala, Y.V.; Pandav, Bivash
    The occupancy, distribution and tiger density are important information for management and conservation policy formulation. Realizing this need, this study was undertaken. The major wild prey species of tiger are spotted deer (Axis axis), wild pig (Sus scrofa), sambar (Rucervus unicolor), swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelli duvaucelli), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), hog deer (Heylaphus porcinus) and gaur (Bos gaurus) in Nepal. To evaluate the occupancy of tiger in Nepal's Terai Arc landscape (TAL), sign survey was conducted in 96 grids (area 225 Km2 ) in 14 districts, including PAs. To assess correlation of the tiger occupancy with the availability of wild prey, and the human disturbance with the habitat use by the tiger, the sign of human disturbances (fire, timber cut, fuel wood collection, sign of poaching) and prey presence were recorded during the winter season. To estimate the density of tigers wild prey in PAs of Nepal's TAL, distance sampling was conducted along the predefined line transects during the summer season
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    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, Vishnupriya
    With 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.