Technical Reports/Books/Manuals
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/7
Browse
5 results
Search Results
Item Status of the Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus and implications for its conservation(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Dutta, S.; Narwade, S.; Bipin, C.M.; Gadhavi, D.; Uddin, M.; Mhaskar, M.; Pandey, D.; Mohan, A.; Sharma, H.; Iyer, S.; Tripathi, R.; Verma, V.; Varma, V.; Jangid, A.K.; Chakdar, B.; Karulkar, A.; Lambture, B.; Khongsai, N.; Kumar, S.; Gore, K.; Jhala, D.; Vaidya, N.; Horne, B.; Chittora, A.; Annigeri, B.S.; Trivedi, M.; Jhala, Y.V.Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) is an endangered agro-grassland bird whose ecology and status are poorly known that impedes conservation efforts. To fill this gap, a national status survey was designed by the Endangered Species Recovery Program of Wildlife Institute of India and was jointly implemented with Bombay Natural History Society, The Corbett Foundation and State Forest Departments across the species’ breeding range. This report documents the methodology of this exercise, and presents its findings on lesser florican’s distribution, abundance, habitat relationships, threats and their implications for conservation.2. We delineated lesser florican’ breeding range using informed digitization with the aid of MaxEnt distribution model, and inputs from local experts.We assessed the species’ status based on displaying males, using spatially representative sampling and analytical design that accounted for imperfect detection. Our assessment used hurdle modeling approach, where we: a) first estimated the species’ occupancy in 36 sq km cells using vehicle observation points (stop-overs), and b) estimated the species’ abundance at detected sites (subset of occupied sites) using line transect distance sampling. c) quantified habitat characteristics (land cover, vegetation structure and anthropogenic pressures) systematically along occupancy and distance surveys. d) explored and developed statistical relationships between habitat covariates and occupancy/abundance. e) mapped the species’ distribution, local densities and threats, to generate conservation priority map. We drew inferences at the scale of breeding range and eco-geographically defined regions and landscapes (Ajmer: Shokaliya-Kekri; Rest of Rajasthan : Shahpura, Jalore, Pratapgarh; Gujarat: Kutch, Saurashtra; Madhya Pradesh: Ratlam; Maharashtra: Akola-Washim). 3. The status survey was conducted during the breeding season (July– September, 2017) with a team of 121 observers, who were trained on the standard data collection protocol through state-level workshops at Bhavnagar, Ujjain, Ajmer and Akola. Lesser florican occupancy was assessed at 428 sites (36 sq km) spread across ~20,000 sq km range, using 5564 stop-overs, and density was assessed in 32 sites (where the species was detected) using 479 km transect-walks that yielded 70 sightings (64 males, 6 females).Item Status and trend of Great Indian Bustard, associated wildlife and threats in Thar(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Dutta, S.; Bipin, C.M.; Anoop, K.R.; Uddin, M.; Shekhawat, R.S.; Jhala, Y.V.Arid ecosystems of India support unique biodiversity and traditional agro-pastoral livelihoods. However, these habitats are highly threatened due to large-scale land-use changes and historical neglect of conservation policies. The Critically Endangered great Indian bustard acts as a flagship and indicator of this ecosystem, for which Government is planning conservation actions that will also benefit associated wildlife. Persistence of this species critically depends on Thar landscape, where ~75 % of the global population resides. Since 2014, Wildlife Institute of India and Rajasthan Forest Department have been jointly conducting scientific surveys to better understand the current status, distribution patterns, and local contexts of key conservation-dependent species in Thar for informing management actions. This study assessed the status of great Indian bustard, chinkara and fox alongside their habitat and anthropogenic pressures across 19,728 km2 of potential bustard landscape in Thar spanning Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan. Systematic surveys were conducted in 144 km2 cells from slow-moving vehicle along 17.9 + 3.9SD km transects to record species’ detections, habitat characteristics in sampling plots, and secondary information on species’ occurrences. Multiple teams comprising field biologists and Forest Department staff simultaneously and rapidly sampled 108 cells along 1697 km transects in March 2014, 77 cells along 1246 km transects in March 2015,and 120 cells along 2273 km transects in March 2016. Sampling was carried out in two phases: extensive surveys to assess great Indian bustard occurrence across the landscape and intensive surveys to estimate their density in used cells. Great Indian bustard and other key species' detection data were analyzed in Occupancy and Distance Sampling framework to estimate proportion of sites used and density/abundance. Detection/non-detection data from multiple year surveys (2014-16) showed that great Indian bustard used 10.9 ± 3.4SE % sites (naive occupancy 8.4%). Bird density in used sites (cells where at least one bird was detected during 2015-16) was estimated at 6.5 ± 1.4SE /100 km2. Random sampling of the potential bustard landscape in Thar using line transect distance sampling yielded density and abundance estimates of 0.84 + 0.38 birds/100 km2 and 166 + 74 birds in 2016. During the surveys 38 (2014), 40 (2015) and 37 (2016) individual birds were detected. Bustard-habitat relationships, assessed using 5 multinomial logistic regression, showed that disturbances and level of protection influenced distribution in this landscape. Great Indian bustard occurrence in the landscape declined with distance from enclosure (regression effect size = -0.06 ± 0.02SE), human presence (-3.22 ± 1.52SE) and infrastructural intensity (-3.97 ± 1.61SE). Chinkara was found in 78% sites and its density at landscape-scale was estimated at 187.5 ± 25.1SE animals/100 km2, yielding abundance of 37,000 + 4970SE in 19,728 km2 area (2016). Desert and Indian fox used 60 ± 7SE % of sites, at densities of 14.35 ± 3.46SE desert fox/100km2 and 2.28 ± 1.19SE Indian fox/100km2 at landscape-scale, and abundances of 2830 ± 683SE desert fox and 450 ± 235SE Indian fox in 19,728 km2 area. Eleven percent of sampled cells were found to be of high conservation value, out of which, 62% cells were outside Protected Area. Although some of these 'unprotected' areas benefit from community protection or inviolate spaces created due to Army occupation, others continue to be threatened by hunting and unplanned land-uses. Our study provides robust abundance estimates of key species in Thar. It provides spatially explicit information on species’ distribution and ecological parameters to guide site-specific management and policy. Our questionnaires generated spatial patterns of community composition, livelihoods, livestock holdings and species’ occurrence reports that will help in designing community outreach and conservation programs. Thar supports the largest global population of great Indian bustard and offers the best hope for its persistence. This survey captured snapshots of great Indian bustard distribution that needs to be augmented with satellite telemetry based information on seasonal landscape use to mitigate threats. Based on results and field experiences, we strongly recommend: a) improving great Indian bustard recruitment in existing enclosures using predator-proof-fences and nest-predator removal, b) creating more enclosures or conservation/community reserves in priority conservation cells, c) smart and intensive patrolling to control poaching and generate management information, d) targeted research to understand local ecology of great Indian bustard, characterize threats, and ranging patterns, e) addressing local livelihood concerns through social research, and f) engaging local communities to monitor and protect wildlife through outreach and incentive programs.Item Status of Great Indian Bustard and associated wildlife in Thar(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Dutta, S.; Bipin, C.M.; Bhardwaj, G.S.; Anoop, K.R.; Jhala, Y.V.Despite unique biodiversity values and dependency of traditional agro-pastoral livelihoods, arid open habitats of India are facing imminent risk due to our neglect and mismanagement. The Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) acts as a flagship and indicator of this ecosystem, for which Governments are planning conservation actions that will also benefit associated wildlife. Persistence of this species critically depends on the Thar landscape, where ~75% of the global population resides, yet their status, distribution and ecological requirements remain poorly understood. This study aimed at assessing the status of Great Indian Bustard, Chinkara and Fox alongside their habitat and anthropogenic stressors across ~25,500 km2 of potential bustard landscape in Thar spanning Jaisalmer and Jodhpur districts of Rajasthan. Systematic surveys were conducted in 144 km2 cells from slow-moving vehicle along 15-20 km transects to record species’ detections, habitat characteristics in sampling plots, and secondary information on species’ occurrence. Eighteen teams comprising of field biologists and Forest Department staff sampled 118 cells along 1924 km transect in March 2014. Species’ detection data were analyzed in Occupancy and Distance Sampling framework to estimate area of occupancy and density/abundance of key species. Our key findings were that Great Indian Bustard occupied 5.8 ± 4.4 % of sites, although information from local community questionnaire surveys recorded usage in 27% of sites. Bird density was estimated at 0.61 ± 0.36 /100 km2, yielding abundance estimates of 103 ± 62 in the sampled area (16,992 km2) and 155 ± 94 GIB in Thar landscape (25488 km2 area). During the survey, 38 individual birds were detected. Bustard-habitat relationships, assessed using multinomial logistic regression, showed that disturbances, level of protection and topography influenced distribution. Chinkara population occupied 91.0 ± 3.4% of sites at overall density of 378 ± 57 animals/100 km2 and abundance of 96,291 ± 14,556 in the landscape. Desert Fox population occupied 53.5 ± 8.8 % of sites, at overall density of 33.58 ± 8.17 animals/100 km2 and abundance of 8,558 ± 2,081 in the landscape. Seventy-five percent of priority conservation sites were outside Protected Area. Although some of them benefit from community protection, majority are threatened by hunting and unplanned landuses. This study provides robust abundance estimates of key species in the Thar landscape. It also provides spatially-explicit information on species’ occurrence and ecological parameters so as to guide in-situ site-specific management and policy. Thar landscape supports the largest global population of GIB with the best hope for the species’ future survival. Since this survey was a snapshot at GIB distribution, landscape-scale seasonal use information is lacking but critically required. A satellite telemetry based study should be urgently implemented to prioritize areas for conservation investment.Item Status and trend of Great Indian Bustard associated wildlife, habitat and threats in Thar.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2026) Dutta, S.; Kher, V.; Jangid, A.K.; Uddin, M.; Supakar, S.; Gupta, S.; Lawrence, S.; Paul, I.; Pati, A.; Gurjar, M.; Dagur, T.; Sen, S.; Gowda, Y.; Sindha, P.; Moitra, M.; Kapadi, P.; Dobhal, P.; Bhardwaj, G.S.This report presents findings from past and recent surveys to provide an updated account of population status, spatial distribution and habitat conditions of the GIB and associated fauna across the Thar landscape. It also evaluates the growing human footprint that fragments habitats and escalate species displacement and mortality risks. These findings aim to inform conservation management under the National Bustard Recovery Program, supporting population recovery through conservation breeding, adaptive habitat management, grassland restoration and threat mitigation.Item Status survey of Migratory birds and key wildlife in Bikarner district, Rajasthan(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Dutta, S.; Kher, V.; Uddin, M.; Supakar, S.; Karkaria, T.; Gupta, T.; Paul I; Verma, V.; Pandey, D.; Verma, V.; Phasalkar, P.; Khanra, A.; Jora, V.S.; Kataria, P.S.; Chhangani, A.K.; Bipin, C.M.; Jhala, Y.V.The Bikaner district of Rajasthan supports a wide variety of wildlife that has not been rigorously surveyed in the past. Robust status assessments with reproducible methods are vital for monitoring wildlife trends, particularly in regions like Bikaner that are undergoing large-scale land-use changes, which are potentially detrimental to native wildlife. Therefore, a large-scale survey was organised by the Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with Rajasthan Forest Department, Government Dungar College and Maharaja Ganga Singh University to assess the status of key wildlife in the Bikaner district of Western Rajasthan. Notably, this survey was planned at the request of Bikaner district residents, who conveyed their wish to conduct a wildlife survey to the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, who invited the Wildlife Institute of India through the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and to execute the survey. Consequently, the data collection was conducted in a citizen science framework and involved active participation by a diverse group of researchers, frontline staff, University students and wildlife enthusiasts. The survey assessed the distribution and abundance status of key wildlife, particularly migratory, arid-adapted and raptorial species of birds, their habitat associations, potential threats in the landscape, and community perceptions towards conservation. The Bikaner parliamentary constituency was divided into four sampling blocks (Bikaner, Kolayat, Chattargarh and Mahajan) and overlaid with 144 km2 (12 x 12 km grid) cells. A total of 89 such cells covering 12,816 km2 area were extensively surveyed using vehicle transect method. In each cell, dirt-trails or unpaved roads of 16.2 ± 4.1km length were traversed using slow-moving vehicles and animals were recorded during peak activity periods (0700hrs-1300hrs and 1600hrs-1900hrs). Data on iconic native fauna (chinkara, foxes, bustards, cranes and raptors) and key neobiota (dog, pig and nilgai) was collected on these vehicle transects (1442 km total length). Information on small birds, habitat characteristics and anthropogenic disturbances was recorded at regularly placed transect stop-over points (802 points). Major avian congregations or 'hotspots' (carcass dump at Jodbeed, wetlands and lakes at Gajner, Lunkaransar, RD507 and RD750) were surveyed using simultaneous point-counts and line transects. Community perception towards conservation was assessed using structured questionnaires conducted in select households of randomly selected villages. Species' population estimates were obtained using analytical techniques such as distance sampling and simultaneous block counts. During the survey, 1,880 Chinkara individuals were detected in 684 herds with an encounter rate of 139.78±18.72 individuals per 100km. The estimated density of chinkara in the surveyed area was 4.27±0.65 individuals/km2, yield abundance of 54,745±8,392 individuals 12 in the surveyed area. Similarly, 112 desert foxes were seen during the survey and the density was estimated to be 0.58±0.11 foxes/km2, yielding abundance of 7,456±1,356 individuals. Other mammals recorded during the survey were Desert Cat (0.57±0.2 individuals/100km), Nilgai (14.39±2.91 individuals/100km), free-ranging Domestic Dogs (26.07±3.6 individuals/100km) and Indian Wolf (one sighting). Among large birds, the encounter rate of the Demoiselle Crane was estimated at 5.47±3.14 individuals/100km. The five most common raptor species (individuals per 100 km) were Griffon Vulture (16.44±6.94), Egyptian Vulture (8.73±2.35), Common Kestrel (7.39±0.88), Black-winged Kite (5.35±0.89) and Long-legged Buzzard (5.13±0.69). Among small birds, 2,859 individuals from 103 species were recorded on point counts. The most abundant species were Common Babbler, Eurasian collared Dove, House Sparrow, White-eared Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Greater short-toed Lark and Variable Wheatear. The total density of small birds, excluding birds in flight and rare species, was estimated at 997±58 individuals/km2. A total of 24,674 individual birds belonging to 95 species across 36 families were recorded during hotspot surveys. RD750 had the highest number of individuals and species (15,666 individuals of 76 species), followed by RD507 (6,501 individuals of 34 species), Lunkaransar lake (1,749 individuals of 25 species) and Gajner lake (758 individuals of 38 species). Common Coot, Demoiselle Crane, Common Pochard, Common Teal and Gadwall were the most abundant species that were recorded. Two Endangered (Egyptian Vulture and Steppe Eagle), two Vulnerable (Common Pochard and River Tern), and six Near-Threatened species (Black-headed Ibis, Dalmatian Pelican, Eurasian Curlew, Ferruginous Duck, Northern Lapwing, and Painted Stork) were recorded during the hotspot survey. The habitat was characterised by flat and mildly undulating terrain, dominated by scrublands followed by agriculture (fallow and cultivated). Active disturbance such as humans or livestock was present in 72% of surveyed plots. Passive disturbance such as fences, electric lines, paved road/ highway etc., was recorded at 87% of the points. In terms of vegetation, the most dominant natural vegetation was Kheemp (Leptadenia pyrotechnica) > Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) > Bhui (Aerva sp.) > Phog (Calligonum polygonoides) > Chugh (Crotalaria burhia) > Aak (Calotropis procera) > Ganthia (Dactyloctenium scindicum) > Prosopis juliflora. There was a positive association between the presence of fences and that of cultivation, human, livestock, dog, water-source and power-lines, indicating that fences could be a proxy for other disturbances. We found distinct associations between species and habitat. Plants such as Leptadenia and Calligonum occurred more in undulating and less disturbed areas. Aerva occurred more in sandy, less disturbed areas, whereas Prosopis juliflora and Calotropis procera occurred more in flat, disturbed areas. Faunal species such as Chinkara decreased 13 in abundance with the proportion of area under cultivation while Nilgai showed an opposite trend. Desert Fox and Desert cat did not show any response to habitat gradients, whereas dogs were more abundant in flat, disturbed areas. Steppe Eagle, Egyptian Vulture and Laggar Falcon decreased in abundance along canal-irrigated areas. Birds such as Eurasian collared dove, Grey Francolin, Indian Robin and Indian Peafowl preferred flat terrain. Presence of disturbances favoured the Common Babbler, Eurasian Collared Dove, Grey Francolin, Red Vented Bulbul and Variable Wheatear, but negatively impacted the Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark and Yellow-eyed Pigeon. Questionnaires were conducted with 170 respondents in 61 villages spread over 24 cells. 1.7±1.0% of respondents reported seeing a Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) around their villages in the past 5 years. The reporting frequency of dog, nilgai and fox was higher than that of chinkara, crane and wild pig. More people reported an increasing population trend for neo-colonised species (dogs, nilgai and wild pigs) than for native species (chinkara, fox or crane). On similar lines, more people reported that native biota (particularly chinkara and vultures followed by cranes and peafowls) have reduced in occurrence over the past few years. Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and associated activities (fencing, pesticide usage, borewell irrigation etc.) was the most widely reported cause for wildlife decline; other causes being poaching, predation by dogs, climate change and powerlines. A high percentage of respondents (85±3%) were aware of a conservation area (managed either traditionally as Orans or by the Forest Department) around their village. 12±3 % of respondents complained regarding encroachment of Orans around their villages. Our survey highlights that Bikaner region is undergoing rapid land-use changes due to intensive irrigated agriculture, infrastructure and industries. To understand their ecological impacts, regular assessments of wildlife populations through standard, reproducible methods become important. Based on this survey and consultation with Rajasthan Forest Department and local experts, the following preliminary recommendations are suggested: a) greater conservation emphasis on sites such as Jorbeed Conservation Reserve, Deshnok Oran, Tokla Oran, Bhinjranwali and 750RD, b) mitigation of potential threats such as power-lines, fences and free-ranging dogs, c) protection of Orans from encroachment and development of grasslands for wildlife/livestock use, d) development of sites such as RD750 and Lunkaransar lake for ecotourism through careful and consultative planning, e) and replication of this survey for assessing wildlife trends.