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Item Inland Wetlands of India- conservation Atlas(SACON, 2004) Prasad, S.N.; Jaggi, A.K.; Tiwari, A.K.; Kaushik, P.; Vijayan, L.; Murlidharan, S.; Vijayan, V.S.Item Inland wetlands of India - conservation priorities(Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), 2004) Vijayan, V.S.; Prasad, S.N.; Vijayan, L.; Muralidharan, S.Item Assessment of impacts on wildlife of Kedarnath Musk deer sanctuary due to helicopter services(WII and Uttarakhand State Forest Department, 2017) Sathyakumar, S.; Bhattacharya, T.; Arya, S.; Iyer, B.; Kumar, Arun; Kumar, A.; Mondal, K.; Umapathy, G.; Mathur, V.B.The Kedamath shrine is an important and famous Hindu religious site situated at 3 583 m near the source of the Mandakini River in Uttarakhand. For centunes, large numbers of pilgrims visit the shrine in the summer months. The stretch between Gaurikund and Rambara of the pilgrim route passes through the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary (WS). Helicopter services were initiated during 2~07 -08 to ferry pilgrims. In June 2013, devastating flash floods swept through the region, and almost half of the old pilgrim route was damaged, and a new slightly longer route was constructed. After 2013, the number of helicopters operating daily flights to Kedarnath shrine increased dramatically. Some of the local residents raised concerns over the potential impact on wildlife of Kedarnath WS due to high intensity sound produced by the helicopters. Based on the request from Uttarakhand State Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India carried out a study to assess the impacts of helicopter flights on wildlife of Kedarnath WS and to suggest mitigation measures. The Mandakini valley was selected as the main study site, where the helicopter flights operate. The adjacent Kaliganga valley, and Shokharakh area were taken as control sites. The sampling was carried out in Mandakini valley in two different study periods - September to December 2015 and April to June 2016; coinciding with the helicopter flying period. Helicopter aviation data and noise levels in different elevation and habitat types were recorded in the Mandakini Valley to detect wildlife species presence, Trails (n=7) and vantage points (n=2) were sampled, and camera traps (11=23) were deployed. Comparative studies on wildlife species presence in Kaliganga Valley and Shokharkh (control sites) were carried out using trail sampling and camera trapping. Fresh faecal samples of wild mammals were collected from Mandakini Valley and the two control sites to analyse the levels of stress hormone using Enzyme Immuno-Assay procedure at the CCMB-LaCONES, Hyderabad. A detailed literature review was carried out on impacts of aircraft flights on wildlife carried out in different parts of the world to understand likely impacts on wildlife and various mitigation measures proposed. The results showed that May is the month when maximum number of flights operated (305/day) in Mandakini Valley followed by June and October, as Sersi helipad is nearest to Kedarnath, the onward journey to Kedarnath from Sersi reached the lowest mean flight height (152.4 ± 6.11 m). Noise levels recorded from six recording sites in Mandakini valley had a mean well above the 50 dB upper noise limit for silence zones. Negative correlation (R2 = 0.33 and 0.25) was observed between flight height and noise level for open coniferous and broadleaved forest. Presence of 20 mammal species (carnivore-8, ungulate-7, primate-2, rodent- 2, lagomorph-l) and five galliformes species (pheasants-3, partridge-2) has been confined from the study area. In. general, the study area is. already exposed to immense anthropogenic pressure (pilgrimage, constructions, etc) It is very difficult to decouple the effects of helicopter flying and other anthropogenic disturbances. Based on the findings of this study and a perusal of published information on Impacts of aircraft flights on wildlife the following conclusions are arrived at: ' I. All the commo~ wildlife species of Kedarnath WS are present in Mandakini valley. The comparison among the photo-capture rates of different wild animals depicts the consistent use of available habitat in the Mandakini valley despite a high level of helicopter operations. 2. Some wildlife species altered their activity pattern to either crepuscular or nocturnal due to the cumulative effects of anthropogenic pressures in this area mostly in the form of pilgrimage and associated human activities. However, in the case of Himalayan monal pheasant, there was a marginal overlap in peak activity period with that of peak helicopter operations. 3. Results of stress hormone studies are in-conclusive due to low sample sizes. However, the results can be used as baseline for future comparative studies on similar investigations pertaining to helicopter flight impacts on wildlife. 4. Taking the above three observations into consideration, it appears that most of the mammals have adapted to the anthropogenic disturbances in Mandakini valley. However, repeated observations in the future would be needed to draw robust conclusions. 5. There is a high negative correlation between flying height and noise levels and the current levels of noise due to anthropogenic activities and helicopter flights. Thus, prescribing a minimal flight height would be useful to reduce the noise levels. 6. Helicopter sorties ranged from 2 to >300 flights per day in Mandakini Valley. Since most of the mammals appear to have adapted to this level of noise, it should not be allowed to go beyond the current levels of helicopter flights. Therefore, efforts has to be made to ensure that the upper limit for number of flights per day does not exceed 300 flights/day. The study recommends the following measures: 1. Restricting helicopter flight heights to at least 600 m (2000 ') with the exception of take-off and landing times. This would help in reducing noise levels in the area. 2. Monitoring the helicopter operations with regard to adherence to the prescribed heights will be required. This could be done using laser distometers or lidar guns or set up an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Monitoring of impacts of helicopter flights on wildlife could be carried out on a regular basis (every 3 to 5 years) including stress hormone studies so that a comprehensive database can be developed for rigorous statistical analysis 3. As a long-term measure, passenger ropeway for transportation of pilgrims as educe pilgrim foot falls in the trekking path to the shrine and helicopter services. The passenger ropeway will not require building a motorable road through the Kedarnath WS as all the material and machines required for building ropeway could be transported by air using specialized helicopters.Item Monitoring of reintroduced Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh Phase II Final report(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Nigam, Parag; Habib, B.; Nasir, M.; Navaneethan, B.; Sankar, K.Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), located between the Vindhyas and the Eastern -- flanks of Satpura hill ranges in the Central India, supported a small population of gaur «40 individuals) till 1995. This population went locally extinct in 1998. Disruption of the migratory corridor between the forest of Bandhavgarh and Ghunghuti and Amarkantak was one of the factors attributed for the local extinction of gaur from Bandhavgarh. Even after the extinction of the gaur from the area, Bandhavgarh provided an excellent habitat for gaur. A proposal for reintroducing Gaur in BTR was initiated by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department with support of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and & Beyond (previously known CC Africa). Gaur were reintroduced in Bandhavgarh form Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) in two phases with first batch of 19 individuals during January 2011 and second batch of 31 individuals during March 2012. Of the total of 50 individuals, 27 individuals were fitted with radio collars and monitored continuously. Monitoring of the reintroduced population was facilitated by the WII through a collaborative project titled "Monitoring of Reintroduced Gaur in Bandhavgarh - Phase I (2011-15)" The objectives of Phase I included studying the ranging pattern, habitat use and feeding habits of reintroduced gaur in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and provided newer insight into lesser known aspects of gaur biology, behavior and ecology. The present study (Phase II) was carried out from April 2015 to March 2018, covering all the seasons in a year. The objective of the Phase II were to study the ranging pattern, habitat use, feeding habits, health considerations and competition of reintroduced gaur with other ungulates (Chital, Sambar and Nilgai) and camp elephants. A total of four different gaur herds were identified based on the presence of radio collared individuals and physically identifiable attributes of select individuals to study the ranging pattern of reintroduced gaur. During the study period a total of 1277locations were recorded from identified herds (n=4). During October and November 2017 six individuals (two males and four females) were fitted with collar (TELONICS VHF transmitters) and intensively monitored. The obtained radio-locations were plotted in ArcGIS 10.1. Minimum Convex Polygon (100% MCP) and Fixed Kernel Density (50% & 95% KFD) method were used to calculate home range of different gaur herds along different seasons (summer, monsoon and winter).Item Assessment of wildlife values of the Ganga river from Bijnor to Ballia including Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) WIIFreshwater ecosystems, especially riverine systems, give rise to unique habitat mosaics, which support distinctive biodiversity and provide substantial ecosystem services, creating a strong imperative for their protection and restoration. They are being impacted globally by divergent but frequently concurrent processes including water pollution, over-fishing, alteration of natural flow regime, invasive species, climate change and human-induced habitat loss. These dynamic systems are often poorly protected, and require conservation measures through systematic planning. Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) is widely considered as the most influential paradigm to identify and bring areas under protection through effective planning and spatial prioritization. The SCP requires an evaluation of sites for their biodiversity values, habitat heterogeneity, habitat dynamics, and existing human-induced habitat alteration factors. The Ganga River is the lifeline to more than 500 million people as it flows through five riparian states. It also harbours a unique assemblage of biodiversity due to its passage through three distinct biogeographic zones and unique habitat mosaics. Apart from nurturing umbrella species like the Gangetic river dolphin, otters, gharial and muggel; the Ganga River basin is recognized as a Global Turtle Priority Area and a Turtle Biodiversity Hotspot. With the aim of protecting and consel1'if7g the diverse array of biota and their habitats, a 7 km stretch of the Ganga River between Rajghat (Malviya Bridge) to Ramnagar Fort in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh was declared as the Kachhua Vanyajiv Abhyaranya (Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary - TWS). Although declared a protected area, increase in riverbank agriculture, river traffic, water pollution through sewage and solid wastes are posing a threat to the biodiversity of TWS and the river-riparian habitats. High human disturbance in the form of cultural-religious activities are influencing the biological values of TWS. Considering the above, a rapid assessment study (March- July, 2018) was conducted in the TWS to evaluate its efficacy as a protected area; and to identify areas for effective biodiversity conservation. Stretch of the Ganga River between Bijnor to Ballia in Uttar Pradesh was evaluated following Systematic Conservation Planning approach. The objectives of this study were (1) Assessment of habitat structure of TWS and to detect changes over time, (2) Evaluation of efficacy of TWS and adjoining riverscape as a refugia for species of conservation concern; and (3) Prioritization of the Ganga River stretches with mosaics of riverine habitats for conservation planning. A spatial assessment using remote sensing data for the period 1974 to 2016 revealed no significant changes in river channel and sand deposition in the TWS. However, -28% increase in the vegetation cover was observed which could be attributed to the protection accorded to the riparian areas by the Forest Department compared with an expansion of agricultural areas on the landward side. Out of 13 species of turtle reported from Ganga River, only 5 species were encountered during the field sampling with the combined efforts of visual encounter surveys and in-stream sampling using gill nets and box traps within the TWS and upstream and downstream of the Sanctuary limit. Very low encounter rate of turtles in TWS indicates high human disturbance leading to habitat alterations within a very small Protected Area. Sites along the TWS in the left bank are seen to have the least suitable habitat for turtles with high anthropogenic disturbances such as cemented ghats, intense ferry and boat activity, pollution, and human presence along the river. The sand bar in the right bank of the TWS, though is an excellent habitat for turtles and breeding birds, is also under severe anthropogenic pressure. Out of64 species offish reported/rom the Middle Ganga stretch. a total 0/45 species belonging to 38 genera, 16 family and five orders were recorded during the sampling period. The fish catch was higher inside TWS as compared to upstream and downstream o/the sanctuary and this could be attributed to prohibition o/fishing within the Sanctuary limits. A total of28 species of birds were observed, of which four species were of threatened categories as per the IUCN Red List. Nests of breeding birds were not observed from the TWS due to high biotic disturbance. A nesting site of the Indian Skimmer was identified at approximately 6 km upstream of the Sanctuary. Five pairs of Indian Skimmer and 14 pairs of Little tern, 4 pairs of River Lapwing a Near Threatened Species were observed/rom the vicinity. A rapid assessment of wildlife values was conducted in the entire stretch of the Ganga River falling within Uttar Pradesh and priority areas were identified through a scoring matrix. Kruskal's Multidimensional Scale analysis described the habitat parameters that influence species distribution. These parameters were sand mining, channel depth. fishing activities, presence of village/town and riverbed agriculture. Channel depth is the only factor which is positively influencing species distribution. Based on the scoring matrix, the highest biological value was attributed to a river stretch within the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, followed by the stretch from Brijghat to Narora, which is notified Ramsar Site. In addition to these, moderate biological value was assigned to the stretch downstream of Newada till Ballia. Habitat characteristic score (channel depth, meanders and river islands) was high in the downstream of Allahabad, till Ballia as this stretch persistently maintains high depth classes, meanders and river islands representing a complex mosaic of habitats. The anthropogenic influence scores was almost similar in the entire stretch from Bijnor barrage to Ballia as the river bed agriculture was prominent in the upper stretch. whereas fishing, sand mining, and human settlements were prevalent in the lower stretch of the river. The stretch between Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary and Narora already enjoys the protected area status. In spite of the protected status, TWS scored low due to its small size and high human disturbance. Based on the combined scores, a 140 Ian stretch downstream Newada in Allahabad district to Adalpur in Mirzapur district has been considered as the priority stretch for conservation. It is suggested that this area may be brought under the purview of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 by declaring it as a wildlife sanctuary for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity of the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh. Since the ecological characteristics and wildlife values vary along this 140 Ian stretch on account of anthropogenic pressures, harmonization for excluding some areas having high anthropogenic pressures on account of intense cultural-religious uses may be required, and to be done by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department.Item Assessment of aquatic resources of Askot landscape with reference to the human foot Prints - Phase 2(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Rajpur, V.; Johnson, J.A.; Srivastava, AjayThe aim of the report is to give an overview regarding the areas in Askot landscape which are in need for conservation in terms of aquatic habitat. This study is a part of the project Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement (BCRLIP) in Askot landscape. This report deals with the assessment of aquatic resources of Askot landscape with reference to human footprints available there. The focus is mainly on the assessment of fish density and people dependency on fishes along with the caused disturbances. People were-highly dependent on stream Rautis which is located at lower altitude of the landscape. Several human disturbances were identified in the landscape which is electrofishing, bleaching, water diversion, dynamiting, regulated water, sand mining, roads, stream crossings and waste discharge. Riparian quality was assessed in the streams of Askot landscape and found out Dhauli coming under the category F which shows low quality because of changes in the habitat. This provides the health and ecological status of all streams. On the basis of indicator criteria two indicator species was narrowed down as Schizothorax richardsonii and Naziritor chelynoides. So habitat requirement for both the species was studied and found out different requirement for substrate as boulders for Schizothorax and sand, silt for Naziritor. Further monitoring protocol is made for managing the Askot landscape in terms of aquatic fauna.Item Monitoring of Re-introduced tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan - Phase II(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Nigam, Parag; Habib, Bilal; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Q.; Mandal, D.; Sengupta, D.; Malik, P.K.The reintroduction being an intensive process required timely scientific inputs. The Wildlife Institute of India was bestowed with a responsibility of monitoring the reintroduced population with support of the National Tiger Conservation Authority since reintroduction. The animals gradually settled in Sariska, however did not breed for the first four years probably due to high stress levels and lack of inviolate space (Sankar et aI., 2013). High stress levels among the reintroduced tigers was observed due to the prevailing disturbance in Sariska (Bhattacharjee et aI., 2013). The first record of animal breeding was of ST2 in 2012. Village relocation process to create inviolate space for tiger breeding was also initiated simultaneously. A total of 565 Gujjar pastoralist families were relocated from six villages. The reintroduced population was continuously monitored over the years as part of the collaborative initiative between Rajasthan Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority. The report of the Phase I (2008-13) and the extended period (2013-15) were duly submitted. The Phase II of the project was initiated in 2015 to primarily study the response of reintroduced tigers and their prey to village relocation efforts and to explore the future population management. The objective of the Phase II were as follows: i. To study the home range and dispersal patterns of the re-introduced tigers and cubs with respect to relocated villages ii. To assess the habitat use by the re-introduced tigers and cubs with respect to relocated villages iii. To study the food habits of the re-introduced tigers iv. To estimate the population of the prey species v. To suggest management recommendations for effective conservation of tigers in the Tiger Reserve The findings of the influence of village relocation on tiger and prey population, and future management scope have been provided in the Annual Progress Report (2015 -16). Findings on the ranging pattern of tigers, factors influencing breeding of tigers, diet, temporal activity, and an update on the age-sex pattern of the tiger population for active population management in Sariska were presented in the annual report (2016 - 17). Here, we summarize our project findings to formulate conservation strategies for long term survival of Sariska's tiger population.Item Ecological Reconnaissance and conservation assessment of avifauna in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Sati, Surabhi; Vishwakarma, Anurag; Singh, Ashutosh; Ben, Clement; Gopi, G.V.The Western Ghats have been designated a World Heritage Site by UfiESCO because of their Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs), and they support several threatened plant and animal species. The birds of the Western Ghats have received a great deal of academic and conservation attention because of their endemism and the conservation threats they face. However, SUM MAR Y there is only limited empirical ecological information on the avifauna of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR). Hence, a systematic study of the avifauna 'lias required to fill the existing knowledge gap and for long-term conservation. This study was initiated in collaboration with STR, Maharashtra and Wildlife Institute of India. The study was conducted between October 2015 and February 2018. The area was divided into four major habitat types, namely agriculture land, grassland, shrubland and forest. The aim of the study was to assess the conservation importance of STR with respect to the avifauna by, understanding the diversity, abundance and habitat utilization in relation to the anthropogenic pressure in different seasons (autumn, winter, summer) . Systematic field data were collected using the point count method to determine the distribution and abundance of species. The bird species, number of individuals (male, female and juvenile), habitat variables, vegetation characteristics and disturbance variables were recorded and quantified. The bird abundances and diversities of the different habitat types were compared and related to habitat features. Bird densities were estimated using the distance sampling method. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') was used to determine the species diversity. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the bird abundance and the habitat features within habitat types. A total of 218 species of bird belonging to 55 families were recorded during the study. Seven of these are threatened species. The highest number of recorded species (30) was in the family Accipitridae. Seven endemic birds of the Western Ghats were also recorded. We found that there is a significant relation between the bird density and diversity within a habitat type across the three sampling seasons. In autumn, the density ranged from 733. 7 5 ± 63.14 to 485 .91 ±46.01 per Kml. The highest density was recorded in agriculture land and the lowest in forest. In winter the density ranged from 1573.3 ± 90.27 to 519.83 ± 31.43, the highest being in agriculture land and the lowest in forest. In summer the density ranged from 900.59 ± 58.58 to 403.00 ± 39.97, the highest being in shrubland and the lowest in grassland. The study found higher bird densities in autumn and winter in areas with highly intense agriculture activities as human disturbed areas such as agriculture areas provide heterogeneous habitats that attract human-tolerant bird species. It was also observed that during summer, shrubland had the highest density of birds whereas the lowest density was in grassland and agriculture land. In summer the grasslands and agriculture lands were usually dry. Farmers burn field residues, and hence shrubland provided a more open habitat that supports shrubs that provide food and canopy cover for different bird species. Unlike the bird density, the diversity of the avifauna was high in forest in all three seasons. In autumn, the diversity index values ranged from 3.867 to 3.533, and in winter the diversity index values ranged from 3.895 to 3. 551.ln summer the diversity index values ranged from 3. 941 to 3. 258. The diversity was highest in forest and lowest in grassland in all three seasons. We observed unusual flowering of the Dhak, Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Fabaceae). The flowering time of the species is March-April though sometimes it also flowers in late February and the flowering lasts till early May. Notably, during our of the field surveys, we observed 10 fully grown individuals of B. monosperma in full bloom from mid November to late December in Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Through continuous monitoring of these individuals in the tiger reserve t:le confirmed unusual phenological events that have not been reported earlier for this species. The change in phenological events of this species could be attributed to climatic change, irregular drought patterns or genetic factors, albeit further research is needed. The study reveals the relationship between avifauna species richness and habitat patterns and addresses the effects of anthropogenic pressure on avian species richness and its distribution patterns. Also, this study provides evidence that settlement are as can serve as refuges for birds. Therefore, conservation efforts should be directed towards making communities view human-occupied areas as habitats for birds and not as lost habitats. Hence scientific understanding backed by empirical evidence about the process and patterns of avifaunal assemblages in STR can be used to formulate a robust conservation plan for the birds of the reserve.Item Evaluating the outstanding universal value of Western Ghats (Sahyadri sub-cluster), UNESCO World Heritage Site for long term monitoring of Ecosystem Services(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Sharma, Preeti; Nath, Anukul; Joshi, Chitiz; Walawalkar, Surabhi; Ghosh, Sonali; Ben, Clement V,; Mathur, V.B.UNESCO recognizes Natural World Heritage Sites as areas representing pre-eminent-spots of biodiversity that must be identified, protected and conserved by global community. These sites are selected for their Outstanding Universal Values based on magnitude of biological and cultural significance. Sahyadri sub-cluster is one such site inscribed as a WorId Heritage Site in July 2012 based on the criteria: a) Most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation b) Represents significant on-going ecological and biological processes Sahyadri sub-cluster is one of the most exciting landscape for biologists for being the oldest mountain chains in the country which were once part of Gondwana land. In addition to its unique geological history, the endemicity in northern Western Ghats is exceptional. There are unexplored habitats in this landscape that still remain cryptic to most of us. Although the Western Ghats lay claim to unique landforms, flora and fauna, the hotspot of biodiversity is under threat due to high development pressure and fragmentation of the habitats.The report is an outcome of one-year project conducted in Northern Western Ghats in Sahyadri landscape to look at the Outstanding Universal Values and conduct a landcape level survey to assess the ecosystem services in the region. The various services provided by the ecosystem were taken into consideration for evaluation ranging from provisioning to regulating to cultural services. The idea was to provide a monitoring protocol to the forest department for long term perpetuation of the OUY in the region.Item World heritage biodiversity programme for India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2003) Mathur, V.B.; Krishnaswamy, Jagdish; Singsit, S.; Bawa, Kamajit S.; Ishwar, N.M.; Vanak, Abi TamimIndia, one of the earliest signatories to the World Heritage Convention has five key Protected Areas currently on UNESCO’s World Heritage List - Kaziranga and Manas in Assam, Keoladeo Ghana in Rajasthan, Sundarbans in West Bengal and Nanda Devi in Uttaranchal. All five sites satisfy the natural heritage criterion ‘contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science and conservation’ (iv) and hence are critical to the preservation of globally Significant biodiversity. A strong potential exists to build and to strengthen the constellation of India’s World Heritage Biodiversity (WHB) sites in ways that are exemplary and beneficial for the larger network of PAs in India and abroad. The World Heritage Convention also offers a unique possibility in India to link nature and culture in innovative ways to promote conservation of species like the tiger and the elephant at a nation-wide scale. India presents the greatest challenge anywhere in the world for integrating conservation and development on a grand scale, and success here could have major implications for other parts of the developing world. The WHB sites symbolize humanity's struggle to conserve the earth's precious biological heritage against its own onslaught of nature. Combined with other Protected Areas such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, WHB sites represent the last stand of the nature and the best hope for humanity to conserve our most precious endowment. India represents a remarkable example of successful efforts to conserve significant amounts of biodiversity against all odds. Despite the presence of more than one billion people, India has managed to place 154,826 km? of its land area under its PA network. Considerable amount of biodiversity also occurs in habitats outside protected areas. Furthermore, protected areas in India are among the best-managed reserves in the developing world. The WHB sites and other Protected Areas in India, however, remain highly vulnerable to degradation. As islands, these areas are surrounded by harsh biophysical landscapes and alienated local communities. The PA management is not fully equipped to deal with the growing threats to the parks. The staff is inadequately trained in the enforcement of laws protecting wildlife. In some cases such as Manas in the northeast, field staff is demoralized, having suffered setbacks due to insurgency and social turmoil in the area. Moreover, the field staff have neither access to good communications nor to facilities for health and education for themselves and their families and the basic infrastructure required for the effective management of the PAs are generally lacking. World Heritage Biodiversity Programme for . At higher levels, the park management has been unable to incorporate concepts of conservation science and wildlife management in developing management plans. Since parks represent habitat islands surrounded by dissimilar habitats with high densities of human populations, changes inside the park due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors are inevitable. However, there is no significant effort to adopt a systems approach to anticipate and predict future changes. Continuous assessment and monitoring of biodiversity are almost non-existent. The "island" status of the World Heritage sites also makes them highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures. Although these islands are connected to varying degrees with other natural habitats, there have been no comprehensive efforts to examine the feasibility of establishing habitat connectivity in areas containing the WBH sites. Since the areas surrounding sites are even more vulnerable to human pressures than the WBH sites, it is critical to examine the potential of connection among natural areas wherever these sites are located and to bring these areas under greater protection. A more serious problem is the lack of local community involvement in conservation efforts. Local communities in many cases remain hostile to the idea that the parks cannot be used for their traditional purposes of grazing, fishing, or extraction of fuel wood and non-timber forest products. Wild animals from the parks also pose a danger to their livestock, crops and houses, thus exacerbating the conflict. Thus, local communities perceive conservation legislation as a threat to their livelihoods. Although there are economic benefits from conservation, such as ecotourism, such benefits generally do not accrue to local communities. Protected areas also have a low profile. The civil society in general is not aware of the importance and in some cases even the existence of World Heritage sites. Although the protected areas have a tremendous educational potential, educational institutions hardly ever use world heritage sites for educational purposes. A new initiative funded by the United Nations Foundation (UNF) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India initially covering four existing and ten proposed World Heritage Cluster Sites in India has been initiated to address the key conservation and management issues within a single new framework. This framework referred to as the ‘World Heritage Biodiversity Programme for India (WHBPI)’ has been developed through a collaborative planning process by the, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). The ten year WHBP' will have two phases of four and six years each. Four of the existing five WHB sites in India namely Kaziranga, Keoladeo, Manas and Nanda Devi National Parks have been included in the WHBPI. programme as it is receiving a similar support from the Asian Development Bank under the ‘Sunderbans Biodiversity Project’. The goal of the WHBPI is to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Protected Areas by \ building replicable models at WHB sites that emphasize law enforcement, promote habitat integrity and connectivity, enhance the role of local communities in Protected Area management, improve the professional, social and political profile of the Protected Area management community and its civil society partners. The specific objectives of WHBP! are to: 1) increase the capacity of the staff to address critical needs in conservation, management and protection of the WHB sites, (2) enable the . park staff to incorporate principal concepts of modem science in management plans, (3) increase the connectivity among natural areas in the vicinity of the WHB sites, (4) enhance the stake and the involvement of local communities in the management and the protection of the parks, (5) raise the profile of the WHB sites in civil society, (6) bring about policy and governance reforms so that the management have the flexibility to address contemporary challenges to the conservation of biodiversity in the parks, and (7) conduct surveys at sites that may be designated as additional World Heritage. Biodiversity cluster sites.