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Item Ecological Reconnaissance and conservation assessment of avifauna in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Sati, Surabhi; Vishwakarma, Anurag; Singh, Ashutosh; Ben, Clement; Gopi, G.V.The Western Ghats have been designated a World Heritage Site by UfiESCO because of their Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs), and they support several threatened plant and animal species. The birds of the Western Ghats have received a great deal of academic and conservation attention because of their endemism and the conservation threats they face. However, SUM MAR Y there is only limited empirical ecological information on the avifauna of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR). Hence, a systematic study of the avifauna 'lias required to fill the existing knowledge gap and for long-term conservation. This study was initiated in collaboration with STR, Maharashtra and Wildlife Institute of India. The study was conducted between October 2015 and February 2018. The area was divided into four major habitat types, namely agriculture land, grassland, shrubland and forest. The aim of the study was to assess the conservation importance of STR with respect to the avifauna by, understanding the diversity, abundance and habitat utilization in relation to the anthropogenic pressure in different seasons (autumn, winter, summer) . Systematic field data were collected using the point count method to determine the distribution and abundance of species. The bird species, number of individuals (male, female and juvenile), habitat variables, vegetation characteristics and disturbance variables were recorded and quantified. The bird abundances and diversities of the different habitat types were compared and related to habitat features. Bird densities were estimated using the distance sampling method. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') was used to determine the species diversity. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the bird abundance and the habitat features within habitat types. A total of 218 species of bird belonging to 55 families were recorded during the study. Seven of these are threatened species. The highest number of recorded species (30) was in the family Accipitridae. Seven endemic birds of the Western Ghats were also recorded. We found that there is a significant relation between the bird density and diversity within a habitat type across the three sampling seasons. In autumn, the density ranged from 733. 7 5 ± 63.14 to 485 .91 ±46.01 per Kml. The highest density was recorded in agriculture land and the lowest in forest. In winter the density ranged from 1573.3 ± 90.27 to 519.83 ± 31.43, the highest being in agriculture land and the lowest in forest. In summer the density ranged from 900.59 ± 58.58 to 403.00 ± 39.97, the highest being in shrubland and the lowest in grassland. The study found higher bird densities in autumn and winter in areas with highly intense agriculture activities as human disturbed areas such as agriculture areas provide heterogeneous habitats that attract human-tolerant bird species. It was also observed that during summer, shrubland had the highest density of birds whereas the lowest density was in grassland and agriculture land. In summer the grasslands and agriculture lands were usually dry. Farmers burn field residues, and hence shrubland provided a more open habitat that supports shrubs that provide food and canopy cover for different bird species. Unlike the bird density, the diversity of the avifauna was high in forest in all three seasons. In autumn, the diversity index values ranged from 3.867 to 3.533, and in winter the diversity index values ranged from 3.895 to 3. 551.ln summer the diversity index values ranged from 3. 941 to 3. 258. The diversity was highest in forest and lowest in grassland in all three seasons. We observed unusual flowering of the Dhak, Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Fabaceae). The flowering time of the species is March-April though sometimes it also flowers in late February and the flowering lasts till early May. Notably, during our of the field surveys, we observed 10 fully grown individuals of B. monosperma in full bloom from mid November to late December in Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Through continuous monitoring of these individuals in the tiger reserve t:le confirmed unusual phenological events that have not been reported earlier for this species. The change in phenological events of this species could be attributed to climatic change, irregular drought patterns or genetic factors, albeit further research is needed. The study reveals the relationship between avifauna species richness and habitat patterns and addresses the effects of anthropogenic pressure on avian species richness and its distribution patterns. Also, this study provides evidence that settlement are as can serve as refuges for birds. Therefore, conservation efforts should be directed towards making communities view human-occupied areas as habitats for birds and not as lost habitats. Hence scientific understanding backed by empirical evidence about the process and patterns of avifaunal assemblages in STR can be used to formulate a robust conservation plan for the birds of the reserve.Item Techniques for wildlife census in India : a field manual(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1991) Rodgers, W.A.; Sawarkar, V.B.; Choudhury, B.C.; Katti, M.; Kumar, A.Item Distribution and abundance of birds and mammals in the Southern Indian ocean, larsemann hills and princess astrid coast East Antarctica(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2010) Jayapal, R.; Ramesh, K.The spatial distribution and abundance of sea birds, penguins and pack ice seals along the Southern Ocean, Ingrid Christensen and Princess Astrid Coast during 29th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was carried out between November 2009 and March 2010. A total of 34 species of birds with an encounter rate of 9.82/ nautical miles2 were recorded. High species turnover of sea birds was observed between 40° and 50° S longitude. Six aerial sorties were flown along the Ingrid Christensen and Princess Astrid Coast to count penguins and seals along the coast, totalling a length of approx. 1200 km. Adelie and Emperor penguins were recorded with encounter rate of 0.63 ± 0.20 (#/nm ±SE) and 3.81 ± 1.68 (#/nm ±SE) respectively at Ingrid Christensen casts. At Princess Astrid Coast more number of Adelie penguins (1.22 ± 0.12/nm ±SE) was recorded when compared to Emperor penguin (0.60 ± 0.2/nm ±SE). In the present survey, a total of 3601 hauled-out seals were counted from six aerial sorties totalling a length of approx. 1200 km, with each sortie lasting about two hours. Weddell seal Leptonychotes weddellii was the most commonly sighted species in both the areas surveyed (98.2%), and had an encounter rate of 2.9 seals/km. The other species encountered during the survey were crab-eater seal Lobodon carcinophagus (1.7%) and leopard seal Hydrurga leptonyx (0.03%). Group size of hauled-out weddell seals varied considerably and ranged from solitary to maximum of 42 individuals. The median group size of weddell seals hauled-out along the Ingrid Christenson coast was found to be significantly different between the December 2009 and January 2010 survey. Further, along this Coast weddell seals were found hauled-out mainly close to the ice shelf and their spatial distribution appeared to be influenced by the extent of sea ice in the area.Item Ecology of leopard Panthera pardus in relation to prey abundance and land use pattern in Kashmir Valley(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2014) Habib, Bilal; Gopi, G.V.; Noor, Athar; Mir, Zaffar RaisGlobally, leopard (Panthera pardus) is the most widely distributed and persecuted cat amongst large cat species. In India, it largely coexists with other feline species like the tiger (Panthera tigris) across much of its distribution range and with lion (Panthera leo) and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) in certain areas of its distribution range. Owing to its very high adaptability for surviving in varieties of habitats and opportunistic feeding behavior, it is often found to be at the center of the human-wildlife conflict. Retaliatory persecution, poaching, habitat loss and declining natural prey are some of the factors which lead to its population decline, despite being accorded protection through national and international legislations. In Kashmir Himalayas it is at the top of the food chain and an apex predator that aids in regulating prey populations. However, there has been an increase in the human-leopard conflicts in the valley which, if left unnoticed, will worsen the conservation prospects of this threatened felid. Hence, this long term study was initiated to address two major issues: 1. Conservation and management planning of the leopards in the valley is impeded by the paucity of reliable empirical ecological information and 2. Current threat levels will have to be assessed to understand and predict the impacts of anthropogenic pressure on leopards. The objectives of the study were to estimate leopard population and prey abundance, to study the leopard feeding habits and to determine the ranging behavior of leopards. Dachigam National Park was selected to undertake ecological studies on leopards. Only the lower Dachigam was chosen as an intensive study area as the upper reaches of Dachigam are mostly high alpine areas where leopards do not inhabit. In order to study prey abundance, line transect methodology was adopted. Transects (n = 13) were laid and monitored in the study area to obtain seasonal prey abundance. In order to estimate smaller prey (rodents) abundance, Sherman traps (n = 49) were used to estimate density. Feeding habits of the leopards were studied by collecting leopard scats (n = 714) which were later analysed using standard protocols. The population of leopard in the study area was estimated using camera traps (n = 12 pairs), deployed in 2x2 km grids in the study area to individually identify leopards with their unique coat patterns. The ranging pattern of leopards was studied by tracking the leopards (n = 3) fitted with Vectronics GPS collars. Amongst large prey, Himalayan grey langur and Hangul were sighted with enough records to be amenable to analysis in program DISTANCE version 6.0. In total 170 groups of langur comprising of 2679 individuals and 206 groups of hangul comprising of 829 individuals were sighted across different seasons in the study area. Overall density (±SE) of langur was estimated to be 16.32 ± 1.87 km ² and of hangul 5.11 ± 0.51 km-² in the study area. Langur density was highest (22.05 ± 5.12/km²) in winter season and lowest (9.35 ± 3.03/km²) in summer season whereas, Hangul density was found to be highest (9.51 ± 1.71/km²) in spring season and lowest (2.31 ± 0.51/km²) in summer season. In case of rodents, the density was found to be highest during summer season (2014 ± 830.71/km²) and lowest during winter season (1172.6 ± 442.74/km²). In case of dietary spectrum of leopard in Dachigam, small rodents contributed the maximum (48.05%) in terms of percent frequency of occurrence followed by langur (14.04%). Hangul contributed 2.05% while Himalayan serow contributed only 0.20% and rhesus macaque contributed the least (0.10%) to the diet of leopard. Minimum sample size required to study food habits of leopard varied from 66 to 86 scat samples in different seasons. Jacobs' index calculated from biomass availability and biomass consumption indicates that small rodents and langur were preferred in all the four seasons. Preference of hangul was slightly higher (-0.79) during winter season as compared to summer season (-0.90). A total of 396 trap nights resulted in a total of 14 leopard photographs with 3 individual leopards. Amongst the three individuals, 2 males and 1 female was photo-captured. Although, the Null (M ) model 0 was selected based on highest criterion score, we selected the Heterogeneity (M ) model because h leopards are territorial animals and it accounts for heterogeneous capture pobabilities between individuals. The density estimate produced by average home range radius (HHR) was 2.11 ± 1.06 2 individuals per 100 km which was found best as density of the leopard in the study area. The relative abundance index of the leopard in the sampling duration turned out to be 3.5 per 100 trap nights. The maximum home range (100% MCP) of the 2 female F74 was ~ 74 km which was recorded during summer season. The summer home range (100% MCP) of the male was 1.96 times larger than the female leopard. The least home range (~ 41.4 2 km ; 100% MCP) came up during the winter season. The increasing trend represented by the ranges (100% MCPs) of this female was winter < spring 2 2 (48.42 km ) < autumn (67.9 km ) < summer. The leopards showed large variation in daily distances moved during the lean season of summer. Daily displacements of the leopards were not normally distributed Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test) for the male: M73 (D = 0.119, df = 105, p = 0.001), female: F71 (D = 0.191, df = 105, p = 0.000) and female: F74 (D = 0.092, df = 105, p = 0.029). Daily displacement was longer for the male leopard (median displacement = 588 m) than the female leopard (median displacement = 367.44 m). The total distance travelled by the male leopard (398.71 km) was greater than the female leopards: F74 (374.16 km) and F71 (62.91 km). In case of female leopard F74, the median daily distance travelled was highest during the winter season (0.664 km) followed by autumn (0.528 km), spring (0.506 km) and summer (0.367 km) Findings of this study indicate that leopards are facing prey scarcity in the area, thus making them to rely upon suboptimal prey and occupy home ranges larger than other studies in the subcontinent. Leopards being opportunistic feeders have also started feeding on domestic prey in absence of sufficient wild prey, thereby elevating the human - leopard conflict in the region. Human - animal conflict being the major threat to large carnivores all across their distribution range is a big impediment in leopard conservation in he study area as well. 1. Estimation of prey density across different sites and developing a relationship between density of prey base and leopard abundance. 2. Study variation of food habits across different sites and seasons in Kashmir valley. 3. Estimate density, abundance and distribution of leopard across different study sites. 4. Study movement pattern, home range size and social organization of leopards across different sitesItem 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.