Technical Reports
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Item Status of wildlife between Kota barrage and Jawahar Sagar Dam, Rajasthan(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Johnson, J.A.; George, Arun; Sharma, Megha; Kavin, D.; Sreelekha Suresh; Gopi, G.V.; Hussain, S.A.The present study examined the impacts of post-construction phase of the cable-stayed bridge on the aquatic wildlife and river habitat quality of the Chambal River between Kota barrage and Jawahar Sagar dam, Rajasthan. The study was carried out between March and November 2021. The study area was divided into 5 segments (each comprising 5 Km length of river) and the segment 1 stats from the Kota barrage. We recorded good signs/ activities of smooth-coated otters in the study area. This species is listed under “Schedule II” of IWPA 1972 and "Vulnerable" as per the IUCN Red List. A total of 10 sites within five river segments were surveyed for otter signs during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Out of which five sites (50%) have shown positive otter signs (fresh spraints, tracks, and direct sightings) during pre-monsoon, whereas in the post-monsoon season the number of otters occupied sites have reduced to four sites (40%). The otter occupancy map indicated, the segment 2 (just above the bridge area) had high level of otter presence. We recorded good population of bird diversity between Kota barrage and Jawahar sagar dam. A total of 132 bird species, which includes 45 wetland birds (N=1569), 21 species of raptors (N=928), and 66 species of other terrestrial birds (N=1351) were recorded. These include two Critically Endangered (Indian Vulture and Red-headed Vulture), one Endangered (Egyptian Vulture), one Vulnerable (Woolly-necked Stork) and four Near Threatened species (River Tern, Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Darter and Alexandrian parakeet). During the study period, the raptors, Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) and Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) were very commonly recorded and more number of nests were recorded in the third segment of the study stretch. In addition to vulture nests, we also observed nests of Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) and Dusky eagle-owl (Bubo coromandus) in the riverside escarpments. We also recorded nests of three waterbird species, which include Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and Woolly necked stork (Ciconia episcopus). Avian richness was varying with the season maximum number of waterbirds were observed during pre-monsoon (S=40), this same trend was followed by raptors (S=15) and other terrestrial birds (S=57). The bird occupancy map indicated that the segment 1 and segment 2 supported high abundance birds. We also recorded two species of aquatic reptiles, which are Mugger (Crocodylus palustris) and Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta). Though, the river banks are mostly of rocky and large boulders with limited sand beach, we found quite a few nesting sites of muggers along the river banks. A total of 34 individuals and 23 individuals of muggers were recorded during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon respectively. The study area also supports good population of freshwater fishes. Rapid Assessment Report - 6 - During the study we recorded 46 species of fishes from the study area. Fishes belonging to the carp family were dominant in species richness (S=22). Among the 46 species of fish, three species are listed under threatened categories as per the IUCN Red List. During the study period the important physicochemical parameters of the water was monitored and the values were significantly varied between the river segments (p<0.05). The pH was found to be slightly alkaline across the river segments ranged from 7.08±0.02 and 8.55±0.01. Like conductivity, total dissolved solids in water (TDS) varied, ranging from 91.54 ppm at the second segment of the river in postmonsoon to 150 ppm at the second segment in pre-monsoon. All water quality parameters were found within the normal range of river water quality. Based on our findings we conclude that the cable-stayed hanging bridge of Kota does not have any negative impact on the wildlife of the Chambal River. The bridge is on the stable rocky gorge area, around 30 m above the water level across the river Chambal without any supporting billers from the riverbed. Thus, there is no direct contact between the river and bridge structure. Further, the technology used in this structure is marvellous, because it is totally vibration and notice proof. In this study we had some significant observations very close to this cable bridge such as an active nest of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) very close to this bridge (25° 8'23.14"N, 75°47'36.64"E), which is just 80 meters away from the bridge and a nest of Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) just 200 meters downstream from the bridge (25° 8'20.90"N, 75°47'33.11"E). Generally, Woolly-necked Storks are assumed to prefer isolated areas for nesting (Mehta 2020). Previous studies indicated that disturbance is one of the major factors for avoiding nesting habitat by Storks (Bouton et al., 2005). We also observed the permanent roosting sites of the Indian eagle-owl (Bubo bengalensis) nearer to this bridge (25° 8'16.12"N, 75°47'27.02"E). Likewise, we observed number of direct sighting of otters and crocodiles near as well as downstream regions of bridge when compared to other segments of the rivers. Moreover, the water quality parameters examined were within the normal range of river water quality. Thus, the present study revealed that the presence of cable-stayed bridge does not have any negative impact on the aquatic wildlife and quality of habitats in the Chambal River.Item Review of site-specific wildlife management plan(January 2021) of North Koel Reservoir Project (Mandal Dam)(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Jha, R.R.S.; Gopi, G.V.This review consists of three parts. In the first part, largely through secondary sources, we provide a background of the North Koel Reservoir Project and information on Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) where the project is situated. We mention how the task of reviewing the Site-specific Wildlife Management Plan (January 2021) in lieu of diversion of 1007.29 hectares area (ha) of forest land for the project came to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). We also describe our review objectives, methodology and approach towards the task, as well as limitations, as communicated to the Department of Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Jharkhand. In the second part, we first provide general comments and observations on the plan and thereafter chapter-wise analyse and evaluate the same, with respect to our objectives and based on relevant guidelines framed and circulated by the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW), Government of Jharkhand in this regard in 2015. We provide detailed observations and suggestions towards strengthening each chapter. We then mention details of our field visit including our learnings and insights gained from interactions with different stakeholders. In the third and concluding part, we provide recommendations towards improving the plan to benefit inhabiting wildlife and ecosystems in and around the project site and in its impact zone, as well as PTR as a whole. The second and third parts, thus, contain primary inputs in the form of actionable comments and suggestions from WII. We recommend a multi-seasonal year-long biodiversity assessment in the project impact zone. We also suggest exercising caution and applying scientific rationale in the use of barriers to reduce negative human-wildlife interactions and/ or to limit illegal activities. We also recommend setting aside budget towards empowering ecodevelopment committees in various management and conservation activities; upgrading facilities, providing training, equipment and field gear, and welfare for frontline staff (both temporary and permanent); and a comprehensive research program for PTR. We recommend drawing up detailed plans for ecotourism in PTR, providing alternative livelihood opportunities for the local indigenous population, habitat creation and habitat management towards wild herbivores’ population augmentation etc to enable further scrutiny of such plans, among other suggested interventions. Relevant appendices are provided towards the endItem Implementing artificial canopy bridges to connect fragmented population of Hoolock gibbon in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Jha, R.R.S; Zangmo, S.; Gopi, G.V.Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation are two principal threats to most terrestrial biodiversity across ecosystems and geographies. Gibbons are a particularly vulnerable group of primates inhabiting the forests of South and Southeast Asia. Of the 20 gibbon species – all threatened, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN – the endangered Western Hoolock gibbon Hoolock hoolock is the only one found in India inhabiting the forests in the southern bank of the Brahmaputra-Dibang river system. The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (HGS) is a small ~21 sq.km Protected Area (PA) in Jorhat, Assam and is one of the species’ stronghold supporting around 125 individuals living in more than two dozen family groups. It is also the only PA in India named after a primate species. Apart from the W. Hoolock gibbon, the Sanctuary also harbours six other primate species – capped langur Trachypithecus pileatus, stump-tailed macaque Macaca arctoides, northern pig-tailed macaque M. leonina, Assamese macaque M. assamensis, rhesus macaque M. mulatta, and Bengal slow loris Nycticebus bengalensis, thereby having the distinction of harbouring the highest primate species diversity for any Indian PA. However, a single track ~1.65 route-km long railway line (currently broad-gauge, but un-electrified as yet) has fragmented the Sanctuary since 1887 into two unequal parts. Over time, the Sanctuary has become a ‘forest island’ having lost connectivity with surrounding forest patches. Since gibbons are exclusively arboreal animals inhabiting the forest upper canopy, they are particularly sensitive to canopy gaps. Gibbon families on both sides of the railway track have, thus, been effectively isolated from each other, thereby compromising their population genetic variability and further endangering their already threatened survival in the HGS. Worldwide, and even in India, several conservation initiatives have attempted bridging such canopy gaps in forests through artificial canopy bridge (ACB) structures to facilitate arboreal species’ movements. The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun was approached by the Divisional Forest Officer, Jorhat (Territorial) Division of the Assam State Forest Department (ASFD) to provide specific design inputs towards the installation of such canopy bridges at the HGS. In this context, this report provides design guidelines and considerations as well as specific location-wise details of seven (07) potential sites within HGS for such canopy bridges installation, following thorough literature survey, field data collection and interaction with stakeholders such as ASFD officials and field staff, railway officials and consultants, and local conservationists. We recognise and emphasise that the design, successful installation and post-installation monitoring of canopy bridges require the involvement of several individuals with professional expertise in fields such as forestry, ecology/primatology, engineering and mountaineering/climbing. Post-installation monitoring of the canopy bridge structures – both behavioural observations of animals around canopy gaps and installed structures as well as through arboreal camera traps to assess bridges’ use – is one of the most important aspect of this project. As is clear, the present un-electrified single-track ~1.65 route-km railway line passing through the HGS has caused distress and posed significant conservation issues to arboreal animals. Hence, a future doubling of the line (if planned) will increase the canopy gap to a large extent and render any conservation interventions (such as ACB installations) futile. Over the longer period of time, it will be best if the status quo is maintained, although electrification of the existing single track may be permitted subject to necessary statutory approvals with appropriate mitigation and compensation measures implemented after detailed investigation of its ecological impacts. Forest regeneration on both sides of the existing track through afforestation activities to gradually enable natural canopy connectivity, adherence of trains to speed limits when passing through HGS and its Eco-Sensitive Zone/wildlife corridors, ensuring landscape connectivity of the isolated ‘forest island’ HGS with neighbouring patches of forests, and rerouting of the existing railway line outside Sanctuary limits, and establishing and supporting low-impact home-stay based ecotourism facilities are some of the longer-term interventions necessary to ensure that W. Hoolock gibbons and other canopy-dwelling species persist and thrive within HGS and in the immediate larger landscape.Item Site inspection report on the ecological impacts of Jamrani Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand Irrigation Department, Nainital district, Uttarakhand(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Gopi, G.V.; Arya, S.K.; Yadav, A.; Zangmo, S.; Saini, S.; Laha, D.R.; Banerjee, K.The WII team visited the field site and collected primary field data, had meetings with the stakeholders and collated the necessary secondary information pertaining to this project. The proposed project falls within the Dudwa-Lagga Tiger Corridor, which is an important corridor for tigers in the Terai Arc Landscape. As this report is to facilitate and guide informed decision making by the NTCA, we present two decision making scenarios with differing objectives: (i) Keeping the Dudwa-Lagga Tiger Corridor intact and conserving this as utmost importance or (ii) Balancing the interests of both development and conservation values. Should the objective (i) be chosen, then the proposal has to be rejected, and if the objective (ii) is chosen then stringent compliance conditions has to be stipulated and an independent multidisciplinary committee comprising of members from NTCA, WII, FRI/ICFRE, State FD may be constituted to oversee the implementation of mitigation measures on a half yearly basis and submit their report to NTCA for strict compliance by the project proponent. This will facilitate a regular, transparent and stringent monitoring of compliance by the project proponent.Item Mitigation and monitoring measures for proposed high-level bridge construction through Son Gharial Sanctuary on Bahri-Hanumana road state highway-52 near Jogdah, Madhya Pradesh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Gopi, G.V.; Frank, S.J.D.; Arya, S.K.; Manisha, B.The present study was conducted during the month of June and July, 2022. We performed transect walks (each of minimum 5 km) and sign survey on the east and west direction of the proposed Jogdah bridge along the north and south river banks of the Son River. The survey was conducted with the aim to assess the faunal diversity and its abundance and identification of important breeding and roosting sites of the birds and reptiles.