Technical Reports

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WII Newsletter (July-December)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1996)
Ecology of black kites Milvus migrans subsisting on urban resources in Delhi: Black kite Project Phase - III
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2008) Kumar, N.; Gupta, U.; Malhotra, H.; Jhala, Y.V.; Sergio, F.; Gosler, A.; Qureshi, Q.
The research team working in the National Capital territory, since December 2012, and through major funding support from the Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation (RRCF), envisioned a long collaborative term study around the urban adaptations of a large raptor, the Black Kite Milvus migrans. Supervised since its inception by Profs. Y. V. Jhala and Q. Qureshi from the Wildlife Institute of India, and Dr. F. Sergio of CSIC, Spain, this project is a unique attempt in the Sub-Continent to holistically unravel the adaptations around Black Kite’s densest urban settlement in the world. We have now established how human cultural practices and attitudes may well be the most defining dimensions of the urban niche of synanthropes like Black Kites (Kumar et al. 2018). Thus, the third phase (August 2016 – July 2018), was a comprehensive assessment of the breeding ecology of Black kites, and their aggressive interaction with residents along the sampled urban gradient within the megacity of Delhi. For this, we used the habitat selection criteria of kites (Kumar et al. 2018) and inspected the behaviour of breeding kites at 101 territories (total 657 visitations), and tested their offspring defence (Kumar et al. in review). We found that defence increases with proximity to ritual-feeding sites and availability of offal, apart from progression in the breeding stage. This period also included the beginning of Phase -IV, an attempt to understand the migration of the Milvus migrans lineatus, the subspecies from the Central Asian Steppes wintering in the urban quarters of the Subcontinent from September to April every year. We deployed 13 GSM e-obs tags and 5 GSM tags from Microwave Telemetry Ltd. USA. These efforts were preceded by Phase-I of the project (December 2012 – June 2014) that focused on basic natural history observations (Kumar et al. 2014), and the Phase-II (July 2014 – July 2016) which further extended the efforts to cover more sampling units, focusing on the aspects of habitat, behaviour and population ecology. The project has now entered its intensive publication stage, as substantial data have now accumulated to enable high-level publications on international scientific outlets, with three publications lined up and ready to enter the genetic and disease components, apart from movement ecology. Finally, the project has incorporated through these initial years: (1) a remarkable amount of environmental education of Delhi citizens; (2) the Master thesis and near -completion of a PhD thesis by N. Kumar at an institute of repute (Oxford University, Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute of Ornithology); (3) completion of a Master program by U. Gupta at the Department of Geography of Oxford University; (4) training of more than 100 volunteers and some of them joining institutes of national and international reputation. All in all, the overall research team is extremely satisfied of all the progress and research formation attained and eager to move on to expand and intensify the project even more.
Assessing the potential for reintroducing the Cheetah in India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Ranjitsinh, M.K.; Jhala, Y.V.
Reintroductions of large carnivores have increasingly been recognised as a strategy to conserve threatened species and restore ecosystem functions. The cheetah is the only large carnivore that has been extirpated, mainly by over-hunting in India in historical times. India now has the economic ability to consider restoring its lost natural heritage for ethical as well as ecological reasons. With this context, a consultative meeting of global experts was held at Gajner in september, 2009. A consensus was reached at this meeting for conducting a detailed survey in selected sites to explore the potential of reintroducing the cheetah in India. The Honourable Minister of Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh, mandated the Wildlife Institute of India and the Wildlife Trust of India with this task. 2) In this report we assess 10 sites from seven landscapes located in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, for their potential to harbour viable reintroduced cheetah populations. We conduct field surveys to collect data on prey abundances, local community dependencies on forest resources and their attitudes towards wildlife, and use remotely-sensed data to assess habitat size. We compute current and potential carrying capacity of the sites to support cheetah as well as assess the long term viability of the introduced population, using Population Habitat Viability Analysis. 3) Amongst the seven surveyed landscapes, the landscape that contained Sanjay National Park, Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary and Guru Ghasidas National Park was the largest, covering over 12,500 km2. It is in this landscape that the cheetah continued to survive till after India’s Independence. However, today this landscape is characterised by low prey densities, probably due to poaching by tribal communities that reside within the protected areas. The three protected areas were currently estimated to have the capacity to support about 14 cheetah. With restorative and managerial inputs under the Project Tiger scheme available for Sanjay National Park and Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary, these protected areas are likely to improve and could potentially support over 30 cheetah, while the landscape could hold upto 60 individuals We recommend that Guru Ghasidas National Park in Chhattisgarh also be considered under the Project Tiger scheme as it is well connected with Sanjay National Park and Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary. We recommend that this landscape be restored and re-evaluated before considering cheetah reintroduction here in the future. 4) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Sheopur-Shivpuri forested landscape, which had the second largest area (6,800 km2) amongst the surveyed sites. This site was rated high on the priority list for considering the reintroduction of the cheetah, because a lot of restorative investment has already been made here for introducing the Asiatic lions. The Protected Area was estimated to have a current capacity to sustain 27 cheetah, which could be enhanced to over 32 individuals by addition of some more forested areas (120 km2) to the Kuno Sanctuary and managing the surrounding 3,000 km2 forested habitat as a buffer to the Kuno Sanctuary. Once a cheetah population establishes itself within the Sanctuary, dispersers would colonize the landscape and potentially hold over 70 individuals. This would not preclude the reintroduction of the lion once the cheetah population is established and the two introductions would complement each other. Indeed, Kuno offers the prospect of all the four large forest felids of India to coexist as they did in the past. 5) The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (1197 km2) in Madhya Pradesh is part of a forested landscape of 5,500 km2. Cheetah prey densities were reasonable in this area and the site was considered favourable to be considered for a reintroduction. Based on current prey densities the area could support 25 cheetah. We recommend the designation of 750 km2 as a core area of the sanctuary and relocate about 23 human settlements from the core with generous and adequate compensation. Our assessment indicates that the local communities would prefer to relocate for better livelihood and modern facilities. The site could then support over 50 cheetah as a source population, while the Nauradehi landscape could harbour over 70 individuals. 6) Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh and Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh formed a continuous habitat. However, potential cheetah habitat in this area was small (less than 500 km2), as much of the land is under agriculture. Though the prey densities were reasonably high due to good management and law enforcement, the site was not considered further due to its small size and as it was likely to have a high level of conflict with an introduced cheetah population. 7) The Shahgarh landscape on the international border in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan was found to be suitable for introducing cheetah. As the area is fenced along the international border, we propose to additionally fence off the bulge area by constructing another 140 km long chain-link fence, so as to encompass about 4000 km2 of xerophytic habitat. Within this area about 80 seasonally used human settlements, each having 5-10 households, would need to be relocated with adequate and generous compensation and alternate arrangements provided. Though the prey species diversity was less (primarily chinkara) in Shahgarh, the area could currently support about 15 cheetah and had the potential to sustain 40 cheetah with habitat management within the large fenced ecosystem. 8) Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, was reasonably large (3162 km2) with a fairly good prey availability. However, the area is heavily grazed by livestock and is the last stronghold for the great Indian bustard. The introduced cheetah are likely to come into severe conflict with local communities and may be a potential threat to the endangered great Indian bustard. For this reason the Desert National Park was not considered ideal for cheetah reintroduction. 9) Banni grasslands and Kachchh Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat cover a vast arid landscape of which over 5800 km2 could be considered as potential cheetah habitat. The wild prey abundance was extremely low with no current potential for considering introduction of a large carnivore. However, the area has potential and with restoration, livestock grazing management and law enforcement the area could bounce back and could potentially support over 50 cheetah. If the Gujarat Government takes serious steps to restore this landscape, then the site could be re-evaluated at a later date. 10) Based on the above assessment, we recommend that cheetah could potentially be reintroduced at 1) Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh 2) Shahgarh Landscape in Jaisalmer, and 3) Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh. All the three sites require preparation and resource investments to commence an introduction program. Long-term commitment of political will, resources and personnel is required from the Central and State Governments to implement this project successfully. 11)Depending on the availability of suitable animals and a continued supply, we propose to source cheetah from sites in Africa. We also propose collaboration with the Government of Iran and the world conservation community in assisting with the conservation of the Iranian cheetah, so as to reduce its risk of extinction and to re-establish viable wild populations. 12) Cheetah reintroduction would greatly enhance tourism prospects, especially at the sites, the cascading effects of which would benefit the local communities. Cheetah as a flagship would evoke a greater focus on the predicament of the much abused dry-land ecosystems and the need to manage them, which would benefit pastoralism in India where the largest livestock population in the world resides, the large majority of it being free-ranging. 13)As a way ahead, we propose that the Government of India and the concerned State Governments approve of the sites recommended in this report and commence allocation of resources, personnel and restorative actions for a reintroduction program. Once approved, a more detailed study of the selected sites and of the costing of the project would have to be undertaken and project implementation could there after commence. 14) The venture must be viewed not simply as an introduction of a species, however charismatic it may be, but as an endeavour to better manage and restore some of our most valuable yet most neglected ecosystems and the species dependent upon
Assessment of current status of threatened and protected marine flora and fauna in trade in India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) John, S.; Kumar, B.M. Praveen; Choudhury, B.C.; Sivakumar, K.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, (WPA) prohibit the trade of protected marine species in India but illegal trade on these species was observed to be continuing in almost all maritime States and Union Territories. Illegal trade of these protected marine species was observed to be contributing marginal benefits to the rural fisher folks but it imperils the complex marine biodiversity in the country. Most of the elasmobranchs (Sharks, Rays and Skates) in India are threatened due to indiscriminate fishing. In India, seven species of marine elasmobranchs are protected by the WPA. Even though protected elasmobranchs were not encountered in the marine fish landing centres during the study period, their illegal trade cannot be completely ruled out. Majority of the elasmobranchs recorded in the fish landing centers were small in size. Ever increasing market demand for their meat, fins and cartilage are the major cause for this over exploitation. Among marine mammals the dugongs, dolphins and porpoises were caught either incidentally or deliberately in India. In many parts of coasts they have been traded in the domestic market although it was very occasional. Interviews with fisher folks revealed that dolphin meats were largely used for shark baiting than consumption. Occasional killing of dugong was also observed along the Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar, and Andaman Islands. Meat and eggs of marine turtles are consumed in many parts of the coastal India. Sea turtle landings are not rare on the southern coasts of India especially in the coastal areas between Tuticorin and Trivandrum. Illegal trade of sea turtle’s meat were also observed along the Indian coasts but it is rare or nil in Orissa. Vizhinjam harbor in Kerala is one of the major marine fish landing centers in India where the turtles were regularly traded in the open market. Protected marine mollusks and corals are also illegally collected and sold as curios in several parts of the country especially near the popular tourist beaches and pilgrimage centers. Most of these marine mollusks and corals are collected from the coral rich reefs around Gulf of Mannar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Beside, large quantities of seashells are also imported from Tanzania, Philippines and Sri Lanka to meet the local market demand. The imported seashells are then processed in Kanyakumari, Rameswaram and Tuticorin before sending to markets. Therefore, it would be difficult to differentiate the source of these materials whether they have been collected locally or imported from other countries. These processed materials are then either exported to other countries or traded locally. The size classes of these marine mollusks which have been observed in the markets were significantly smaller than the average size observed in the literatures, which itself infer that the populations in the wild have been over exploited and larger sized seashells have already became rare. Domestic markets for the illegal trade of seashells and corals are concentrated largely around pilgrimage and tourist areas. Among the west coast, major illegal marine curio trade exists in the state of Goa. Among the east coast, major domestic curio market was found in Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu). Lack of awareness, poverty, market demand and feeble enforcement are the major reasons for continuation of illegal trade on protected marine species in India. Therefore, integrated marine biodiversity conservation plan along with plan to upliftment of fishermen community is required to prevent illegal trade forever. Further, strengthening of infrastructure and capacity of enforcement agencies is also required to curb these illegal activities in the country. Most importantly, there should be an integration and cooperation between line departments such as Police, Customs, Forest, Fisheries and Coast Guard to successfully curb marine wildlife illegal trade in India.
Distribution and abundance of birds and mammals in the Southern Indian ocean, larsemann hills and princess astrid coast East Antarctica
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Jayapal, R.; Ramesh, K.
The spatial distribution and abundance of sea birds, penguins and pack ice seals along the Southern Ocean, Ingrid Christensen and Princess Astrid Coast during 29th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was carried out between November 2009 and March 2010. A total of 34 species of birds with an encounter rate of 9.82/ nautical miles2 were recorded. High species turnover of sea birds was observed between 40° and 50° S longitude. Six aerial sorties were flown along the Ingrid Christensen and Princess Astrid Coast to count penguins and seals along the coast, totalling a length of approx. 1200 km. Adelie and Emperor penguins were recorded with encounter rate of 0.63 ± 0.20 (#/nm ±SE) and 3.81 ± 1.68 (#/nm ±SE) respectively at Ingrid Christensen casts. At Princess Astrid Coast more number of Adelie penguins (1.22 ± 0.12/nm ±SE) was recorded when compared to Emperor penguin (0.60 ± 0.2/nm ±SE). In the present survey, a total of 3601 hauled-out seals were counted from six aerial sorties totalling a length of approx. 1200 km, with each sortie lasting about two hours. Weddell seal Leptonychotes weddellii was the most commonly sighted species in both the areas surveyed (98.2%), and had an encounter rate of 2.9 seals/km. The other species encountered during the survey were crab-eater seal Lobodon carcinophagus (1.7%) and leopard seal Hydrurga leptonyx (0.03%). Group size of hauled-out weddell seals varied considerably and ranged from solitary to maximum of 42 individuals. The median group size of weddell seals hauled-out along the Ingrid Christenson coast was found to be significantly different between the December 2009 and January 2010 survey. Further, along this Coast weddell seals were found hauled-out mainly close to the ice shelf and their spatial distribution appeared to be influenced by the extent of sea ice in the area.
Status of the Tigers, co-predators, and prey in India 2010
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar; Gopal, Rajesh; Sinha, P.R.
This report synthesizes the results of the second countrywide assessment of the status of tigers, co-predators and their prey in India. The first assessment was done in 2006 and its results subsequently helped shape the current policy and management of tiger landscapes in India. The current report is based on data collected in 2009-2010 across all forested habitats of 17 tiger States of India with an unprecedented effort of about 477,000 man days by forest staff, and 37,000 man days by professional biologists. The results provide spatial occupancy, population limits, and abundance of tigers, habitat condition and connectivity (Fig E1). This information is crucial for incorporating conservation objectives into land use planning across landscapes so as to ensure the long term survival of free ranging tigers which serve as an umbrella species for the conservation of forest biodiversity. The study reports a countrywide increase of 20% in tiger numbers but a decline of 12.6% in tiger occupancy from connecting habitats. The methodology consisted of a double sampling approach wherein the State Forest Departments estimated occupancy and relative abundance of tigers, co-predators, and prey through sign and encounter rates in all forested areas (Phase I). Habitat characteristics were quantified using remotely sensed spatial and attribute data in a geographic information system (Phase II). A team of trained wildlife biologists then sampled a subset of these areas with approaches like mark-recapture and distance sampling to estimate absolute densities of tigers and their prey (Phase III), using the best modern technological tools (remote camera traps, GPS, laser range finders). A total effort of 81,409 trap nights yielded photo-captures of 635 unique tigers from a total camera trapped area of 11,192 km2 over 29 sites. The indices and covariate information (tiger signs, prey abundance indices, habitat characteristics) generated by Phase I & II were then calibrated against absolute densities using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) and the relationships were used for extrapolating tiger densities within landscapes. Tiger numbers were obtained for contiguous patches of occupied forests by using average densities for that population block. Numbers and densities were reported as adult tigers with a standard error range. Habitat suitability for tigers was used to model least cost pathways joining tiger populations in a GIS and alternative routes in Circuit scape. These were aligned on high-resolution satellite imagery to delineate potential habitat corridors
Evaluation of the functional status and quality of corridors connecting fragmented populations of tiger in the Indian part of Terai Arc landscape : Final Technical report
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Rajapandian, K.; Anwar, M.; Goyal, S.P.
Most rare and critically endangered species such as tiger (Panthera tigris) exist in human dominated landscapes as small, fragmented and isolated populations in most part of its range. A prerequisite for conservation efforts and management is to identify the factors which affect the distribution and abundance of the species of interest and connectivity between populations occupying the remaining fragments. Tiger populations have dramatically declined in recent years in the Indian part of Terai Arc Landscape (TAL). This top priority landscape for tiger conservation was once continuous across the Himalayan foothills but is now highly fragmented and most of the remaining large, intact habitats are located within protected areas. As tigers cannot sustain viable populations in small habitat fragments, an assessment of potential suitable habitat and connectivity among the remaining habitat patches is required to assess possibilities to ensure the creation of a single functioning metapopulation unit for tiger. Therefore, there is a need to monitor condition of tiger’s habitat (Smith et al. 1998). The effectiveness of potential corridors depends on the quality of habitat with in the corridor, the matrix that surrounds the corridor and redundancy of the corridor network (Collinge, 1998; Haddad et al. 2003). Out of ten corridors identified in TAL (Johnsingh et al., 2004), seven corridors were taken on priority basis for understanding quality and functionality assessment. Five and two corridors exist in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh state of India, respectively. In view of understanding functionality of corridor, the objectives of this study was aimed (i) To describe the functional status (use and intensity) of the corridors with reference to tiger, (ii) To study the biological characteristics (vegetation composition, prey distribution and abundance, and disturbance status) that determines the corridor quality and (iii) To use, and to document the socioeconomic issues affecting the corridor existence and its use. Under this study, we describe basic data obtained for these seven corridors for their habitat characteristics, use by tiger and level of disturbance under Part I. This would provide base line information for comparison in future. Data analysis undertaken in Part II of this report are use of ecological modeling models to assess functionality of these corridors using remote sensing data and other aspects
Comparative study of man-leopard conflict and socio-economic impacts on rural community in Mandi and Hamirpur districts, Himachal Pradesh (2004-2008)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Chauhan, N.P.S.; Kumar, Devende; Sharma, Lalit Kumar
Objectives of the study are : To prepare land cover and landuse pattern maps and determine areas suitable to leopard using Geographical Information System. ii. To study distribution and relative abundance of leopard in relation to habitat characteristics (terrain and vegetation). iii. To assess impacts of biotic pressures on leopard habitat. iv. To study nature and extent of man-leopard conflict problems in relation to land use pattern. v. To study food habits in relation to prey species (wild and domestic) availability. vi. To study the socio-economic impacts of leopard menace on rural community. vii. To make comparison of man-leopard conflict problem of Mandi and Hamirpur districts with that of Pauri Garhwal. viii. To suggest measures to minimize/contain man-leopard conflict in Mandi and Hamirpur districts. ix. To develop education awareness package for people living in the vicinity of man leopard conflict areas
Gajah: Securing the future for elephants in India : The report of the Elephant Task Force, MoEF
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Rangarajan, Mahesh; Desai, Ajay; Sukumar, R.; Easa, P.S.; Menon, Vivek; Vincent, S.; Ganguly, Suparna; Talukdar, B.K.; Singh, Brijendra; Mudappa, Divya; Chowdhary, Sushant; Prasad, A.N.
The Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic Dolphin 2010-2020
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Sinha, r.K.; Behera, S.; Choudhury, B.C.
Management plan for Rupi-Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Jayapal, R.; Ramesh, K.
Barcoding anurans of India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Vasudevan, K.; Aggarwal, Ramesh K.; Dutta, S.K.
Ecology of two endemic turtles in the Western Ghats
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Vasudevan, K.; Pandav, B.; Deepak, V.
This project was initiated on the 16th January 2006 with an aim to generate natural history information on two out of the three endemic species of terrestrial turtles. India has 28 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises, of them three species are endemic. The endemic species: Caneturtle, Vijayachelys silvatica; Travancore tortoise Indotestudo travancorica; Leith’s softshell Nilssonia leithii, are restricted to the southern peninsula and the Western Ghats. In this study the focal species were the Cane turtle and the Travancore tortoise which had their distribution in the Western Ghats. The objectives of the project were (i) to estimate the population density of Travancore tortoise and cane turtle in a fragmented landscape; (ii) to quantify the diet of these two species and describe the feeding ecology with respect to their role in seed dispersal; (iii) to identify threats to the turtle population based on their habitat use ranging pattern and food habits and recommend measures for their conservation; (iv) to carry out a survey of these two species along the Western Ghats to ascertain the exact distribution in the context of Protected area network in the region. The study employed methods to study the population, diet and ranging patterns of the Cane turtle and the Travancore tortoise in Anamalai and Parambikulam Tiger Reserves. In the case of Travancore tortoise, the animals were searched on forest trails scattered in the reserves and repeated over three years to determine the proportion of area occupied accounting for imperfect detections. These surveys revealed that about 82% of the area surveyed is occupied by the tortoise, suggesting that the reserves hold sizeable population of the tortoise. The occupancy of the Travancore tortoise was negatively influenced by anthropogenic disturbance levels and positively influenced by the availability of water bodies and grass marsh in different sites. Only 35% of the sites occupied by the species resulted in detections, suggesting that it was cryptic. The important constituents of its diet were grass, other plant matter, invertebrates and other animal matter. The vayal (grass openings within woodland) habitat might be crucial for foraging by Travancore tortoise. The five individuals that were radio-tagged used an area from 5 to 35 ha covering evergreen, bamboo and open scurb-grass marshes. The animals spent about 98% of their time under leaf litter, logs, rocks crevices, tree holes, termite or pangolin burrows, bamboo tickets and under grass. In the case of cane turtle, various search methods employed did not yield detections and therefore, an intensive area was combed intensively. This resulted in detections of the elusive cane turtle. During the study spanning over four years, 42 ha of the evergreen forests in the reserve resulted in sightings of 27 different individuals of the cane turtle. This suggests that the species occurs in high density in the evergreen forests. Six cane turtles were fixed with radio-transmitters and monitored for two years. They used an area from 3.5 to 14.2 ha restricted to the evergreen forests alone. They also had extensive overlap in their home-ranges, suggesting no territoriality in the species. The movement of the animals were influenced by temperature and rainfall in the intensive study area. Diet of the species consisted of forest floor invertebrates, seeds and other plant material. The field observations on feeding on a large land snail and aggressive encounters between males of the cane turtle were the highlights of the study on the species. A survey of the three endemic species of turtles was taken up in the fifth year of the project. The survey involved visiting 12 sites in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The potential sites where the species might be found were visited and the locals were interviewed in order to document the occurrence of the species. This resulted in one new locality record for cane turtle and two new records for Travancore tortoise. The Leith’s softshell was reported from five different locations in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu based on the interviews with locals. The sites occupied by the species were located within and outside protected areas. So far the study has resulted in three peer reviewed publications and two presentations in international conference. Based on the findings of the study it could be inferred that the Travancore tortoise is sensitive to human disturbance. This might be the consequence of exploitation of the animal by the locals in the reserves where the study was conducted. It is not uncommon to find locals using domesticogs during their forays into the forest. We speculate that there is some level of subsistence exploitation of the species in the region. The behaviour and ranging pattern of the species make them cryptic for detection by humans, but vulnerable to detection by domestic dogs. The study revealed that there is poor awareness among wildlife protection staff in the reserves on the species in general. Increasing the awareness of the staff could result in curbing subsistence exploitation of the species in the reserves. The vayals in the reserve are crucial habitats for the species; therefore, their protection and monitoring should be of importance for the persistence of the tortoise population. In the case the cane turtle, contrary to our initial expectations they survive in high densities (60 individuals in 1 sq. km) in the middle and low elevation evergreen forests (between 10 – 1000 m above mean sea level). The Karian Shola National Park is having a large population of this species which is of importance of the management of the protected area. The species is extremely stenotypic, showing strong preference to a narrow range of microclimatic variation prevailing in evergreen forests that are below 1000 m elevation in the Western Ghats. This indicates that the low elevation evergreen forest areas are crucial habitats for the species. Our intensive study on the species spanning over four years did not yield much information on the reproductive ecology of the species, because of their secretive lives. We recommend studies on the reproductive biology of the species, which might be important in the context of conservation breeding of the species. In the case of Leith’s softshell, we suggest extensive surveys to document the distribution, the status of population and, the genetic and morphological variation in the populations in peninsular India.
Environmental Impact Assessment study on flora and fauna in Narmada Canal project Rajasthan
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) WII
Ecological assessment of sites designated for collection of sand and bouders from river beds of Uttarakhand : study report
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) WII
Economic development invariably requires resources. Extraction of resources from the environment involves changes in the state of the environment. Hence, our ability to integrate development and ecological integrity can help in making informed decisions without affecting the ecological values of the ecosystem. The Riverbed Materials (RBM) are renewable resource which are abundantly used as construction materials. RBMs are byproduct of the massive sediment load and deposition that the rivers carry along the course of its flow. In Uttarakhand, most rivers that run through bhabar tract are targeted for their rich deposition RBM ( sand and boulders). Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation (UAFDC) has proposed extraction of RBM form different rivers in Uttarakhand. Under the direction of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), vide letter No.11-329/2010-FC, dated 16 November 2010 the Wildlife Institute of India has carried out a study to assess the impact of RBM collection in six rivers (Kosi, Dabka, Nihal, Gola, Sharda and Kiroda Nullah). Subsequently, vide its let No. 8- 80/93-FC (pt.), dated 26 November 2010 the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India directed to add two more sites; viz. Tons and Yamuna Rivers at Kalsi and Rampur Mandi respectively in Chakrata Forest Division. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the study are as under: 1. Assessment and identification of the adverse impacts, if any, of the collection of sand, boulder and other minor minerals on wildlife and its habitat; 2. Identification of the appropriate ameliorative measures to eliminate if possible, or minimize to the extent possible, the identified adverse impacts of the collection of minor minerals on wildlife and their habitat; 3. Identification/ delineation of the migratory corridors in and around the area proposed for collection of minor mineral; 4. Assessment and identification of the adverse impacts, if any, of the non-collection of sand, boulder and other minor minerals from the area identified as corridor on river geometry and soil erosion pattern along the adjoining river banks; and 5. development of an appropriate plan for management of the identified migratory corridors. Such plan inter-alia may include restriction on collection of minor minerals for major part of the year, with a provision of periodic accelerated collection (preferably during the period having least frequency of wildlife movement) to maintain river geometry.
Status of marine and coastal environments and developing in Marine protected area network in India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Choudhury, B.C.; Sivakumar, K.; Saravanan, K.R.
The coastal and marine environment of Indian mainland has been studied in detail to assess the present status and to identify and prioritize potential sites for conservation as Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBA), in addition to the existing Marine Protected Areas. Detailed surveys were carried out all along the coastline between 2006 and 2010. This study followed the standardized global, national and regional level approaches to develop a criteria with several indicators which were used to identify ICMBA sites in India. A state-wise site matrix was prepared and prioritized based on identified indicators considering the ecological, cultural and socio-economic values of respective sites. A total of 350 sites were visited all along east and west coasts of Indian mainland and, of these, 106 sites were identified and prioritized as ICMBA. Along the west coast of India a total of 62 ICMBAs were identified, while 44 ICMBAs along the east coast. Of these 106 ICMBA, 22 ICMBAs have been prioritized for immediate conservation actions. These sites are proposed for consideration of Protected Areas under various categories largely as Conservation or Communities Reserves. Indian Coastal and marine ecosystems are among the most biologically and economically productive ecosystems in the world where these ecosystems are both a source of livelihood as well as of a range of ecological services that are critical for the day to day well-being of millions of people particularly coastal communities. Despite their tremendous ecological and economic importance and the existence of a substantial policy and regulatory framework, India’s coastal and marine ecosystems are under increasing threat. Numerous direct and indirect pressures arising from different types of economic development and associated activities are having adverse impacts on coastal and marine biodiversity across the country. Major anthropogenic direct drivers of ecosystem degradation and destruction include habitat conversion to other forms of land use, overexploitation of species and associated destructive harvesting practices, the spread of invasive alien species, and the impacts of agricultural, domestic and industrial sewage and waste. Additionally, climate change is likely to have a growing impact on coastal and marine ecosystems, including a likely increase in extreme weather events as well as sea level rise, warming of the sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification. Coastal habitats are also subject to powerful natural weather phenomena, such as tsunami, cyclones, hurricanes and storms. Indirect drivers of ecosystem change include demographic, socio-political, cultural, economic and technological factors.
Indian National Studbook of Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Srivastav, Anupam; Malviya, Manjari; Tyagi, P.C.; Nigam, Parag
Key areas for long term conservation of Galliformes I- Uttarakhand
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Ramesh, K.; Qureshi, Q.; McGowan, P.
Status, distribution and conservation perspectives of lesser florican in the North-Western India: a survey report
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Bhardwaj, G.S.; Sivakumar, K.; Jhala, Y.V.
The Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica, a species endemic to the Indian subcontinent, is largely seen during the monsoon season in north-western India, where it breeds. Its population and range is believed to be decreasing at an alarming rate due to breeding habitat loss and threats in the non-breeding habitats, believed to be in south and south-east India. In this connection, to understand the present status and distribution of Lesser florican in the north-western India i.e. in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, a survey following an established protocol (Sankaran 2000) was carried out in the month of August 2010, which is a part of breeding season of this species, when most of males display in the grasslands. A total of 84 individual Lesser Floricans (83 male and 1 female) were sighted in three states of north-western India, which is 65% less than the sightings reported in 1999 by Dr. Sankaran. It was found significantly fewer sightings than reported in 1999 in all grasslands surveyed (t=2.81, df=14, p<0.05). Of the 169 potential grasslands available for floricans in the north-western India, 91 grasslands were surveyed, which include grasslands surveyed during 1999. Of the surveyed grasslands, Lesser Floricans were found in 24 grasslands as against 37 grasslands in 1999. Among the three states, more sightings of Lesser Florican were reported in the state of Gujarat (N=54) followed by Rajasthan (N=18) and Madhya Pradesh (N=12). But in 1999, more sightings of florican were reported in Gujarat (N=141) followed by Madhya Pradesh (N=63) and Rajasthan (N=34). More than 55% of grasslands in Gujarat that were reported with florican in 1999 (Sankaran 2000) were observed without florican in 2010. More or less similar situation was in Madhya Pradesh also. Population and habitat of Lesser Florican in the north-western India was observed to be continuously declining at an alarming rate. Lack of a National Policy on grassland management, habitat degradation, plantations, poor landuse planning, pesticide pollution, invasive species, inadequate coverage of florican habitats in the Wildlife Protected Area Network and lack of knowledge on the non-breeding habitats of this species are observed to be major threats to this species.
Management Effectiveness Evaluatin (MEE) of tiger reserves in India: process and outcomes
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Mathur, V.B.; Gopal, R.; Yadav, S.P.; Sinha, P.R.