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Author: search.filters.author.Goyal, S.P.Subject: search.filters.subject.Tiger

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    Monitoring tiger and its prey in Chilla range, Rajaji National Park, Uttaranchal, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2006) Harihar, Abhishek; Pandav, Bivash; Goyal, S.P.
    The Rajaji National Park along with the adjoining Corbett Tiger Reserve forms the north-western limit for the distribution of the Tiger and Elephant in the Indian Subcontinent. Most parts of this landscape are under anthropogenic influence. Following the notification of the earlier sanctuaries (Rajaji, Motichur & Chilla) to a National Park (Rajaji National Park) in 1983, voluntary relocation of human (Gujjar community) settlements is underway (since 2002). The Chilla Range of Rajaji National Park is presently void of human settlements (Gujjars) and is showing very healthy resurgence of vegetation indicating promising signs of recovery with respect to utilization of the area by wildlife. This study carried out across two years (2004- 2005 to 2005-2006) aimed at monitoring the tiger population within Chilla range following a human resettlement program. Photographic capture-recapture analysis (450 trap nights each year) was used to estimate the density of tigers. Ecological density of wild ungulate prey species was estimated using line transects in conjunction with distance sampling. A total of nine permanent transects were laid and sampled eight times each, every year (102.8 km of walk each year). Food habits of tiger were determined by analysing field collected scats. Our results indicated that Chilla range supports a high ungulate prey density (76.5 individuals km-2 in 2005; 70.98 individuals km-2 in 2006) and has the highest reported sambar density (25.67 individuals km-2 in 2005; 24.69 individuals km-2 in 2006). Though we photographed 12 different individuals during our study (2004-06), the tiger density was found to be low (3.01 tigers 100km-2 in 2005; 2.54 tigers 100km-2 in 2006). The current wild prey biomass off take by tigers was estimated to be 2.78%. However, a predicted ~14 tigers 100km-2 can be supported within Chilla range given a 10% biomass off take (following the model developed by Karanth et al., 2004b). Past anthropogenic pressures have probably caused a downward trend in the tiger densities. From the photographs obtained during this study, it is clear that tigers are breeding in Chilla range. Given adequate protection Chilla can serve as a major source population from where tigers will breed and disperse into neighbouring forests within the Shivalik landscape. A continuous monitoring program is envisaged to document this recovery of predators, prey and their habitat
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    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