Technical Reports/Books/Manuals

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Unveiling Torputitora presence in Sikkim streams through eDNA
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Mane, S.S.; Pant, B.; Kolipakam, Vishnupriya
Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding was used to detect the presence of Tor putitora (Golden mahseer) in selected streams of Sikkim. Water samples were collected from six sites based on habitat characteristics conducive to the species survival. The collection of samples was followed by filtration of water samples, isolation of the DNA, PCR and sequencing targeting the COI region were conducted under aseptic conditions. The results confirmed Tor putitora presence at two locations (BR-06 and BR-08) with high certainty (>99%) aligning with previous studies on tis distribution in Sikkim. These results indicate that these streams serve as habitats for Tor putitora. These findings highlight the potential of these streams to support mahseer populations, reinforcing the need for conservation efforts to protect these critical habitats from ecological threats like ecological pressures, including hydropower and linear infrastructure development. This study adds to the expending evidence concerning mahseer distribution in Sikkim and highlights the critical need for conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding its essential habitats by incorporating appropriate mitigation measures. Continued research and long term monitoring are imperative to evaluate population dynamics and ensure the sustainable management of Tor putitora in the region.
A Preliminary Study on the Ecology of the Leopard, Panthera pardus fiisca in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun., 1998) Edgaonkar, Advait; Chellam, Ravi
A preliminary study of the ecology of the leopard, Panthera pardus fusca, was done at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Maharashtra. The diet of the leopard was determined by analysing leopard scats. The major prey of the leopards was found to be domestic dogs, domestic buffalos and rodents. Primates, including rhesus macaques, bonnet macaques and common langurs and cervids, comprising chital, sambar and barking deer were also preyed on. Sections of 8 dirt roads, termed as trails T1 to T8, were monitored for intensity of leopard use. An index of prey abundance, human disturbance, stalking cover and density of trees along the trails was calculated. Intensity of use of trails by leopards was not related to the measured habitat parameters of the trails. Instances of leopard-human conflict was analysed using secondary records of the Maharashtra State Forest Department from 1986 to 1996. It was found that most instances of conflict occurred in summer and monsoon seasons. Seventy eight per cent of the deaths were of children. Awareness about leopards and attitudes towards them were quantified using a questionnaire. Tribals showed a more positive attitude score than non tribals. No such difference was seen far awareness. There were no differences in awareness and attitude among literate and illiterate people. A positive correlation between awareness scores and attitude scores was found. Suggestions for the management of leopards in SGNP include the experimental augmentation of the prey base with wild caught ungulates, monitoring for domestic dog transmitted disease, avoiding reintroduction of leopards trapped on the periphery and outside the Park boundaries into the Park and monitoring far inbreeding depression by comparing the percentage of abnormal sperm in samples from male leopards in SGNP with those from a larger population of free ranging leopards elsewhere in the country.
Assessment of the landscape between the Gir Protected Area and the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat for a potential lion habitat corridor
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Q.; Basu, P.; Banerjee, Kaushik
In this report, assess the habitat characteristics, extent of fragmentation and its future trends, prey abundance and perception of the local communities towards lion conservation in the agro-pastoral landscape between the Gir PA and the Girnar forests to help in delineating the important dispersal corridor habitat between the Gir PA and the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, suggesting measures for its effective conservation
Conservation strategy and action plan for the marine turtles and their habitats in Puducherry
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Sivakumar, K.; Senthil Kumar, S.; Kumar, R.S.; Ramesh, C.; Adhavan, D.; Hatkar, P.; Bagaria, Priyamvada; Kakadia, D.; Jyothi, P.
Puducherry, is a small but beautiful Union Territory of India, located along the southern east coast of India with coastline of 45 km. This coastline is being used for nesting of sea turtles, especially Olive Ridley and Green Sea turtles. Their sporadic nesting is at peak during November to February along Puducherry and Karaikal coasts. High sporadic nesting of sea turtles were observed on the beaches along Nallavadu/Moorthikuppam villages (Puducherry) and beaches around Arasalar River (Karaikal), therefore, these two beaches have been identified as ‘Important Sea turtle Habitats of Puducherry’ and recommended to be declared as the ‘Community or Conservation Reserves’ as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Further, it is recommended to manage these two beaches with active participation of local communities by promoting the turtle conservation as well as eco-tourism. Land use/land cover patterns along the coastal areas of Puducherry and Karailkal was significantly changed between 2004 and 2015. Larger portion of agricultural lands adjoining to nesting beach were converted for aquaculture and built up areas, that deterred sea turtles use of beaches for nesting. It was also found that arable lands along turtle nesting beaches were shrunk due to demand from other developing sectors such as aquaculture, tourism and real estate. Therefore, it is proposed to declare remaining critical sea turtle nesting beaches of Puducherry such as Nallavadu, Pannithittu, Narambi and Moorthikuppam villages (Puducherry) and beaches around Arasalar River (Karaikal) as ‘Eco-sensitive Zones’ under relevant sections of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. A significant proportion of world's Olive Ridley population migrates every winter from the Southern Indian ocean (near Sri Lanka) to Odisha, where they do mass nesting. Puducherry coastline is being used as a migratory route by these sea turtles. Off coast of Puducherry especially 60 - 400 km stretch from the shore were largely used by the migratory sea turtles during the month of October to April in every year. Further, few hundreds of sea turtles that are seems to be resident to Puducherry off coast, breed and nest along its coasts. Some of these breeding sea turtles have been incidentally killed by fishing nets especially between December and January. Turtles eggs are also predated by dogs and other animals on the shore. Therefore, it is proposed to strengthen the ongoing ex-situ turtle conservation programme of State Forest Department by facilitating the safe hatchings of turtle eggs through the artificial hatcheries. In this context, it is recommended to create two permanent hatcheries in these proposed two conservation reserves and involve local communities in the turtle monitoring and conservation programme. Moreover, Turtle Excluder Device (TED) should be made mandatory for all trawlers fishing along the Puducherry coasts. Beach erosion due to natural phenomena as well as urbanization, have reduced the nesting habitats and resulted in a drastic reduction in sea turtle nesting along Puducherry coast. Moreover, beach armouring with exotic plantations, artificial illumination and tourism are few other threats to the nesting beaches and hatchlings. Hence, it is recommended to continuously monitor the nesting beaches and avoid exotic plantation within 500 m from the high tide line and also manage vegetations on the beaches. Further, it is recommended to constitute an Authority with multi-stakeholders to protect the beaches and its biodiversity of Puducherry. It is also suggested to create a ‘Puducherry Sea Turtle and Coastal Research and Monitoring Cell’ at the Forest Department for the long term conservation of coastal biodiversity and livelihoods of people of Puducherry.

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