Technical Reports/Books/Manuals

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    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.
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    Ecology of tigers in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Q.; Jhala, Y.V.; Gopal, R.; Majumdar, Aniruddha; Basu, S.
    The present study aimed to map land use/land cover patterns and to assess spatial structure and configuration of landscape; structure and composition of vegetation types in landscape; and varies ecological aspects of tiger (Panthera tigris) in a tropical deciduous forest of Central India from 2005 to 2013. Prey species availability was estimated using line transect method in an intensive study areas of 410 sq km between January 2007 and June 2012.
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    Population estimation and monitoring protocol for hangul to central and South division of Kashmir
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2004) Qureshi, Q.; Shah, Nita
    Census of Wildlife is an investigation that requires knowledge of, how many animals are present either now or in the future. It is important to examine the methods and use the robust, the ones in consultation with the concerned specialists. The Department of Wildlife Protection has been conducting regular census of Hangul in Dachigam National Park by adopting traditional method of total count in blocks. The estimation of numbers of wild animals has now achieved a level of sophistication and the methods have gone from simple counts to complex relation, involving numerous assumptions. The aim of this exercise was not to fallow the counting of population, but to explore the trend of population in order to monitor the same in future.
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    Patterns of Mortality in Free Ranging Tigers
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Nigam, Parag; Muliya, S.K.; Srivastav, A.; Malik, P.K.; Shrivastava, A.B.; Mathur, V.C.
    This study initiated an effort to maintain a centralized database of all tiger mortality events that are reported in India to address this shortcoming. We have initiated an attempt to study mortality patterns of tigers inhabiting landscapes in India based on available reports of mortality events in tigers from this database
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    The Nicobar megapode Megapodius nicobariensis status, ecology and conservation : aftermath tsunami
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Sivakumar, K.
    The Wildlife Institute of India conducted a status survey of the Nicobar megapode along with other coastal endangered species in the Nicobar group of islands in an effort to document the adverse impacts on their populations due to tsunami that occurred on 26th December 2004. The endemic Nicobar megapode population showed a dramatic decline (nearly 70%) in the number when compared to previous survey carried out in 1993-94. In 2006, there are approximately 800 breeding pairs in the coastal zo nes of these island group. 2. There was no evidence of Nicobar megapode in Megapode Island WLS and Trax Island during this survey where megapodes was reported earlier. 3. Crucial megapode habitats such as littoral forests of the island group were adversely affected. The populations of indicator species of the littoral forests Barringtonia asiatica and Terminalia bialata were severely impacted. However, regeneration of these species was found on the coastal region. 4. The island ecosystem are known for their resilience due to their ability for repopulating habitats and promoting regeneration. However, the restoration of the original biodiversity is possible only if the natural process such as recolonization is facilitated. The aftermath of the tsunami has left the trail of homeless families who need rehabilitation. Finding proper homes and alternate livelihood for them should not undermine ecosystem resilience. Raising plantation crops to generate revenue in the littoral forests should take into account the long term effects of habitat alteration. 5. Significant levels of wildlife habitats have been occupied by the tribals under the leadership of the tribal chiefs (known as Village Captain). Any conservation awareness programme with the help of these Village Captains would be useful for implementing recovery plans of declining species. 6. The Nicobar Division of the State Forest Department needs to be strengthened to facilitate wildlife protection and to take up appropriate wildlife management actions. 7. A total of 37 permanent monitoring plots have been identified and marked (Table 2) for long term monitoring of megapodes and its habitat. With some basic training, forest staff can collect data from these plots and within a weeks time all islands can be surveyed and collected data analyzed for developing appropriate conservation and management measures.
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    Status of the tigers and copredators in Central Indian landscape
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Jhala, Y.V.; Gopal, Rajesh; Qureshi, Qamar
    The present report forms a part of the All India Tiger Monitoring exercise undertaken on the direction of the Ministry of Environment and Forests by the Wildlife Institute of India in association with National Tiger Conservation Authority, MoEF, Government of India, and the State Forest Departments. As a part of this process, preliminary findings on the status, and distribution of tigers, co-predators and prey in the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa are presented. Tiger population estimates are provided for the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chattisgarh. For the remaining States of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Orissa tiger population estimation is in progress and estimates will be provided at a later date. The current monitoring system for tigers, co-predators, prey and their habitat transcends beyond generating mere numbers. It is a holistic approach which uses the tiger as an umbrella species to monitor some of the major components of forest systems where the tiger occurs in India. The data and inferences generated by the system would not only serve as a monitoring tool but also as an information base for decision making for land use planning. It provides an opportunity to incorporate conservation objectives supported with a sound database, on equal footing with economic, sociological, and other values in policy and decision making for the benefit of the society. After the Sariska debacle, this system with a few modifications was recommended as a monitoring tool for the entire country by the Tiger Task Force.
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    An assessment of the current status of the Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2009) Choudhury, B.C.; Sathyakumar, S.; Sylvia, Christi
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    Evaluating tiger habitat at the tehsil level
    (Project Tiger Directorate and Wildlife Institute of India, 2006) Qureshi, Q.; Gopal, R.; Kyatham, Shirish; Basu, S.; Mitra, A.; Jhala, Y.V.
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    Social organization and dispersal of Asiatic lion and ecological monitoring of Gir
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2006) Jhala, Y.V.; Chellam, R.; Qureshi, Q.; Pathak, Bharat; Meena; Chauhan, K.S.; Dave, C.; Banerjee, K.
    Project titled ‘Social Organization and dispersal of Asiatic lion’ was initiated in 2002 by the Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with the Gujarat Forest Department. Continuous record of lion demographic and population parameters, ungulate density and distribution, livestock-ungulate interaction and the study of male ranging patterns and resource utilization with the help of radio- telemetry have been some of the achievements of the project in the past five years. The project had established two research-bases at Sasan Gir (West Gir) and Tulsi Shyam (East Gir) respectively to meet the added project objective of project “Ecological monitoring of the Gir” in 2003. This component included studies on livestock-wild ungulate interaction, Maldhari-lion interaction, refinement of protocols for lion monitoring and mapping of peripheral areas of Gir which were considered important by the Gujarat Forest department and The Wildlife Institute of India.
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    Conservation status of tiger and associated species in the Terai Arc Landscape, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2004) Johnsingh, A.J.T.; Ramesh, K.; Qureshi, Q.; David, A.; Goyal, S.P.; Rawat, G.S.; Rajapandian, K.; Prasad, S.
    The Indian portion of Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), stretching from Yamuna river in the west to Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar in the east, spreads across five states along the Shivaliks and Gangetic plains. This unique Landscape consists of two distinct zones: (i) bhabar, characterized by a hilly terrain with course alluvium and boulders, and sal mixed & miscellaneous vegetation communities and (ii) terai, characterized by fine alluvium and clay rich swamps dominated by a mosaic of tall grasslands and sal forests. The terai, in particular, is listed among the globally important 200 ecoregions for its unique large mammal assemblage. Over the decades as a result of conquest of malaria, establishment of numerous settlements and consequent increase in human population, this Landscape has become highly fragmented and degraded. This has led to the local extinction of species such as one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli) and hog deer (Axis porcinus), for example, west of Sharda river. Despite its ecological richness and faster rate of degradation and species extinction, conservation initiatives are far from desired in this Landscape, perhaps due to inadequate information and lack of coordinated efforts. Given this circumstance, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) submitted a proposal to Save the Tiger Fund (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, USA) to carry out a survey of TAL on the Indian side, which is ca. 42,700km2 with a forest area of ca. 15,000 km2. Save the Tiger Fund allotted US $53,500 and an 18-month project was initiated in July 2002. The project objectives were to (i) develop spatial data base on the TAL, (ii) assess tiger (Panthera tigris) and large ungulate distribution and status, (iii) describe the status of the Landscape and its vegetation characteristics and (iv) document the socioeconomic conditions of the local people and major disturbance factors. Indian Remote Sensing (1C/1D) satellite images with the spatial resolution of 188m (WiFS) and 23.5m (LISS III) pixel sizes, and Survey of India topographic maps were used for habitat mapping and other spatial database. The study team surveyed the entire Landscape twice between October 2002 and June 2003 for assessing the status of tiger and other associated large mammal species, and habitat conditions. Extensive sampling of 246 foot transects covering 1001.2km and 1530 circular plots, with nested design, were carried out across the TAL. Demographic and socioeconomic profiles of people were derived primarily from the raw data of 1991 Census. Owing to the applied nature of the project, it was decided to hold a two-day workshop to share the findings and to attain synergy among Forest Officials, NGOs and other conservation agencies for implementation in the field. The study revealed that the TAL contains homogenous vegetation communities of eight broad types, but the structural components vary highly across the Landscape. The tiger habitats on the Indian side are in nine blocks (referred as Tiger Habitat Blocks, THB) and the largest block (ca. 4,000 km2) is around Corbett TR. The forests in Kalsi, Dehradun and Haridwar Forest Divisions in Uttaranchal and Bijnor Plantation Division, Bahraich and Shrawasti Forest Divisions in Uttar Pradesh were devoid of tiger. Thirteen corridors that potentially connect these nine blocks have been identified. When connectivity with the Nepal side is taken into account, the nine THBs can be pooled into five larger units (referred as Tiger Units, TU). Among these, TU II, which is in the bhabar tract and includes Corbett TR, is the most intact one. TU IV (Pilibhit FD-Suklaphanta Reserve-Kishanpur WLS-Dudhwa NP- Bardia NP-Katernighat WLS) is the most extensive terai habitat. Each piece of habitat and connectivity in these Units are crucial and at the same time, are threatened by anthropogenic pressures. Ungulate distribution and relative abundance in TAL corresponds to the high variation or heterogeneity in habitat features. However, the overall status of prey (ungulate) availability is reasonably better in this Landscape, largely owing to the interspersion of Protected Areas between Reserve Forests. The evidence is clear that tiger distribution and its abundance are linearly related to wild ungulate prey such as chital (Axis axis) that has wider spatial distribution. Sambar (Cervus unicolor) and wild pig (Sus scrofa) also contribute substantially in deciding the occurrence of tiger in bhabar and terai regions respectively. The domestic dog was identified as a reliable indicator of disturbance that impedes tiger occurrence. Undisturbed hilly (bhabar) areas such as Corbett TR, which usually have many deep nallahs, providing hideouts and abundant prey (sambar, chital and wild pig) support substantial population of tiger. The terai tall grass habitats, which provide adequate cover, as in Kishanpur WLS and Dudhwa NP, with prey such as chital, pig and swamp deer, is the second best. It appears that in a few years time, tigers may cease to exist in habitats like Sohagibarwa-west (THB VIII), an isolated habitat patch in Uttar Pradesh, which is under enormous anthropogenic pressures. Leopards tend to avoid terai habitats and high-density tiger areas, but are still common in areas extirpated of tiger. Data from the Census of India 1991, for 33 tehsils (units of District) within the study area, indicated that the bhabar, largely west of Sharda river, had significantly lower human density (334/km2) and higher percentage of forest cover (36%). The corresponding figures for terai (east of Sharda river) are 436/km2 and 17% respectively. It appears that the bhabar areas, at present, are in a better position to buffer firewood dependency of the people. Human population increase, ever growing habitat encroachments, poaching, firewood extraction and bhabar grass (Eulaliopsis binata) collection for rope making, stealing of tiger and leopard kills, and boulder mining causing enormous disturbances and fragmentation are the major problems identified. The extensive empirical information (distribution and abundance) collected on vegetation parameters, ungulates and tiger can be used as baseline data to initiate monitoring programmes. In addition, the monitoring should include establishment of adequate number of one-hectare plots and line transects for periodic evaluation of habitat conditions and prey abundance respectively. The study recommends that Chilla-Motichur and Gola river corridors should be established on priority basis and the conservation status of THB IV containing Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve-Pilibhit FD-Kishanpur WLS should be strengthened. If done, the former will constitute the largest (ca. 8000km2) tiger and elephant habitat anywhere along the foothills of the Himalaya and the latter will ensure the future of one of the finest terai habitats (ca. 1200km2). Initiation of a conservation programme like establishing Rajaji-Shivalik Tiger Reserve is urgently needed to eliminate boulder mining in Yamuna river to ensure the ranging and occurrence of tigers between Shivalik FD and the Kalesar-Simbalbara forests, the western most limit of tiger distribution range. Raising of fuel wood plantations with community participation, use of fuel-efficient chulas, resettling of gujjars (migratory pastoralists) and eight key villages, shifting of one factory and weaning people from bhabar grass collection and conservation education programmes are also recommended. There was a consensus in the two-day workshop held on 6-7 November 2003 in WII that the Nepal model, with a strong scientific foundation and involvement of local people, needs to be adapted for the Indian side of TAL. Cross border cooperation between India and Nepal is a must to ensure the long-term conservation of tiger and its habitat in this Landscape