Shrestha T K
012471 Shrestha T K (Central Dep of Zoology, Tribhuvan Univ, G.P.O. Box 6133, Kathamandu, Nepal) : Seasonal monsoonal migration of Ganges river dolphin in Karnali river and feeder streams of Nepal. Cheetal 2006, 43(3-4), 24-34.
Migration of Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was studied in the Karnali river and its feeder streams of Nepal. Results demonstrate that dolphin strictly follow prespawning migration of fishes during June and post-spawning migration in November. Results shows that dolphin remain in headwater feeding ground in Karnali tributaries from June to October and return to main river Karnali in November. In guture, additional conservation measure will be required to safeguard migratory dolphin population in main river and tributaries. However, studies of free ranging migratory dolphin are rarely undertaken in Nepal because such observation in flooded river of monsoon is extremely difficult and risky.
4 tables, 9 ref
Razia Sultana;Pramella Devi Y;Ramarao N J
012470 Razia Sultana;Pramella Devi Y;Ramarao N J (NO, Environmental Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI), Gachi Bouli, Hyderabad) : Physico-chemical parameters and concentration of heavy metals in Miralam lake. J Nat Conserv 2006, 18(1), 153-9.
Study of physico chemical and heavy metal analysis of Miralam Lake during 2002 was conducted. The study bears, a special significance in view of drastic decline in water quality, which was once a drinking water source, and now it has not been used as drinking water. Physico - chemical analysis of nearly 14 stations of the lake were studied. Important heavy metals are also analyzed from the same stations as it also receives some industrial effluents besides the sewage drains from the nearby residential areas. The results showed that the lake is having more organic pollution load and the heavy metals are almost, within. permissible limits, which indicates that the lake can be restored by taking proper management steps.
1 illus, 4 tables, 6 ref
Negi A S
012469 Negi A S (NO, , 300, Model Colony, Araghar, Dehradun, Uttaranchal) : Rellocation of villages from Tiger reserve: a success story of rellocation of 3 villages from Corbett Tiger Reserve. Cheetal 2006, 43(3-4), 5-10.
2 ref
Musavi A;Khan J;Sharad Kumar;Khan A;Malik P K;Kushwaha S P S;Khati D S;Sarin D K
012468 Musavi A;Khan J;Sharad Kumar;Khan A;Malik P K;Kushwaha S P S;Khati D S;Sarin D K (Wildlife Society of India, Wildlife Sciences Dep, Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh-202 002) : Tiger human conflict in buffer zone of the Corbett tiger reserve: protected area people relationship. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2006, 32(3), 241-57.
People's dependence on the buffer zone (BZ) of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), resulting conflicts and people's attitudes to alternatives and conservation were studied. There were 123 villages and 17 Gujjar deras dependent on CTR, mostly for fuelwood followed by grazing of livestock and collection of grasses. Block-wise assessment of dependence for fuelwood and grass fodder showed that 42.3% of the forest blocks were under high degree of fuelwood dependence; most of these are located in the southern part of the buffer zone. The dependence for grass fodder was high on 34.6% of the forest blocks and these were located in the northwest and the southeast of the BZ. The BZ forest was less degraded in the northeast part than in other zones. Overall, the southeastern part of the BZ was under high biotic pressure and also had higher incidence of tiger-human conflict in terms of number of livestock killed and therefore, needed greater attention. Identified three major wildlife-related problems of which the threat to livestock by tigers and crop depredation by ungulates were reported in
1 illus, 10 tables, 31 ref
Johnsingh A J T;Pandav B;Dhananjai Mohan
012467 Johnsingh A J T;Pandav B;Dhananjai Mohan (WWF-India amd Emonent Wildlife Biologist, Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, Karnataka, Email: ajtjohnsingh@ncf-india.org) : Conservation plea for saving wildlife in the landscape bound by Gola, Ladhiya and Sharada river, North India. Cheetal 2006, 43(3-4), 1-4.
4 ref
Ilyas O;Khan A A
012466 Ilyas O;Khan A A (Conservation Ecology Research group, Wildlife Sciences Dep, Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh-202 002) : Habitat use by two sympatric species, Muntiacus muntjak muntjak and Nemorthaedus goral bedfordi in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Int J Ecol envir Sci 2006, 32(3), 277-86.
Studied aspects of ecology and conservation of barking deer and goral in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary from January 1996 to December 1998. The methods used included extensive monitoring of existing forest trails in different oak patches for quantification of the habitat use. Vegetation was sampled at the animal-centred plots and random plots during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Principal Component Analysis was done for barking deer and the goral. For the barking deer, the first two principal components accounted for 26.69% and 30% of variance in the data matrix during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons respectively, whereas for the goral the first two principal components accounted for 36.9% and 29.8% variance during the pre- and post- monsoon periods respectively. Barking deer prefers the area with high cover, density and diversity of both trees and shrubs, whereas the goral prefers areas with high grass density, steep slope with low to medium tree cover and shrub density. The conservation implications of the results are discussed.
5 illus, 4 tables, 25 ref
Sinha B;Goyal S P
010385 Sinha B;Goyal S P (NO, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun-248 001) : Fuel wood plantation of Prosopis juliflora and its Impact on the habitat of Indian wild ass, Equus heminous Khur in little rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Ann For 2006, 14(2), 350-4.
Discusses the threat to the habitat of endangered Indian wild ass by plantation of an exotic mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) and suggest mitigatory measures to reconstruct the habitat. Open grasslands close to the fringe are infested by sapling of mesquite (1-50/ha) except few areas having 51-200 saplings/ha. Some areas have become too thick (
1 table, 6 ref
Prasanth Narayanan S;Vijayan L
010384 Prasanth Narayanan S;Vijayan L (NO, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty Post, Coimbatore-641 108) : Minor vertebrate fauna of mangrove-dominated Kumarakom heronry, Kerala, India. Ann For 2006, 14(2), 330-9.
Minor vertebrate fauna of the Kumarakom heronry was studied from June to September 2004. Fifty species of minor vertebrates were collected, representing 10 orders and 29 families. Species such as Etroplus maculatus, Oryzias melastigma, Rana aurantiaca, Burfo melanostictus, Melanochelys trijuga, Cnemaspis littoralis were the frequent species; some of them are threatened species and protected by law. Major factors, detrimental to the ecosystem observed during the study, are lack of regeneration of mangroves, uncontrolled growth of exotic weeds, and sewage water release to the area. Recommendations for the better management of the heronry have also been given.
4 tables, 26 ref
Chandra P;Gupta N
010383 Chandra P;Gupta N (Animal Science Dep, MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly) : Habitat preference and seasonal fluctuations in the helminthfauna of Amphibian hosts of Rohilkhand zone, India. Asian J expl Sci 2007, 21(1), 69-78.
The helminthofauna of 350 amphibian hosts (250 Bufo melanostictus and 100 Rana tigrina) was investigated and the influence of ecological factors (host habitat and season) on parasitic incidence was observed in them. The highest frequency and concentration index of nematode parasites (Oxysomatium and Oswaldocruzia) occurred at Site A (Bareilly) while in case of the cestode parasite (Proteocephalus) the highest frequency index occurred at Site E (Aligarh) although the highest concentration index was again at Site A (Bareilly). All the parasites were most abundant during the rainy season followed by summer, spring and winter.
Cairns J
010382 Cairns J (Biological Sciences Dep, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA) : Is Homo sapiens just another transient species?. Asian J expl Sci 2007, 21(1), 13-32.
During the five great biotic extinctions, huge numbers of species were lost. Over evolutionary time, biodiversity was restored and sometimes exceeded previous levels. This environment might well be described as a pulsing system that was affected by catastrophic natural events (e.g., the impact of a large object from outer space with Earth). The sixth great extinction, now underway, differs from the first five because the major influence is human activities. Will the resulting ecological changes also have adverse effects upon human society? Global warming and other types of climate change, the coming decline in the availability of petroleum, acidification of the oceans, continued growth of the human population in both numbers and expectations, and ecological overshoot will surely have deleterious effects. Unanswered questions remain: (1) will humans replace their unsustainable lifestyle with sustainable use of the planet? and (2) if so, will social evolution be sufficiently rapid to be effective? As a species, humans are embedded in a huge, complex, multivariate system that will probably endure even if the human species becomes extinct.
Vyas R
006085 Vyas R (NO, , 2P-22, Vigyan Nagar, Kota-324 005, Email: rakeshvyas41751@yahoo.co.in) : Spatial and temporal distribution of nests in heronry. Zoos Print J 2006, 21(8), 2339-42.
Study is a result of three years of observations on the heronry at Tabela House in Kota, Rajasthan. Small Cormorant, Pond Heron, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Median Egret and Large Egret have been breeding in this heronry, which is situated in the heart of the city. A pattern in their spatial and temporal distribution in the heronry was noted and different species followed that pattern year after year. Availability of suitable nesting trees, nesting material, safety and foraging success has resulted in site fidelity.
1 illus, 3 tables, 13 ref
Mohammad Nawaz M;Nawaz Y;Malik M F; Shahabuddin
005093 Mohammad Nawaz M;Nawaz Y;Malik M F; Shahabuddin (Zool Dep, Univ of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan, Email: nawazzoologist@yahoo.com) : Hunting pressure and impact of Afghan refugees on migratory cranes in Pakistan. Zoos Print J 2006, 21(7), 2333-4.
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Sharma A;Khokale D
000060 Sharma A;Khokale D (Bact Lab Biol Sci Dep, R.D. Univ, Jablapur-482 001, Email: anjoo_1999@yahoo.com) : Biotyping and antibiogram analysis of Aeromonas isolated from river Narmada at Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) India. Indian J Microbiol 2005, 45(4), 265-8.
Environmental study was undertaken to examine the prevalence and diversity of Aeromonas species in the river Narmada at Jabalpur (MP), India, from August 1996 to August 1998. Total of 90 water samples were collected from different sampling stations during the study period and all gave positive results for aeromonads. Out of 119 isolates, 110 isolates belonged to 8 different Aeromonas genomospecies, whereas 9 isolates could not be identified to species level. The drug resistance pattern of these isolates showed certain variations, which disclosed the resistance potential of different Aeromonas genomospecies surviving in aquatic environment. Quinolones showed excellent activity against all the aeromonads.
3 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref
Mishra R P
000059 Mishra R P (NO, Indian Inst of For Mgmt (IIFM), Post Box No.357, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal-462 003) : Habit and habitat of wild buffalo (Bubalus bubasi) in Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh. Cheetal 2006, 42(3-4), 11-18.
A good habitat is mainly governed by the availability of abundant fodder, water and shelter for the survival of the species. The habit and habitat of wild buffalo surviving in centreal Indian region (Udanti WLS) has been presented. Actually, wild buffalo is a shy animal and spends more time in dense forests particularly during the daytime. The maximum observation was made during summer season particularly on grassland situated near the water bodies. Lot of biotic disturbances take place during daytime, therefore, animals prefer grazing/browsing in the forest rather than the grassland. The peak grazing time of animals was recorded in midnight during summer season, while early morning was recorded during winter & rainy season.
1 illus, 3 tables, 6 ref
Kushwah R B S
000058 Kushwah R B S (NO, , Bagdara Sanctuary, Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh) : Vulture sightings at Bagdara Sanctuary. Cheetal 2006, 42(3-4), 25-30.
Thirty-four birds belonging to six species of the critically endangered species of vulture have been observed together in the Jagmar Beat of the Game Range Bagdara in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh. This was an important observation in the context of the present vulture crisis.
1 table, 15 ref
Katiyar S R
000057 Katiyar S R (NO, Govt. P.G. Coll Gopeshwar, Chamili-246401) : Biodiversity conservation in protected areas of Uttaranchal, India. Cheetal 2006, 42(3-4), 39-48.
4 tables
Das Gupta P
000056 Das Gupta P (NO, , Flat G-2, Block-C, 206/1, NSC Bose Road, Kolkata-47) : Survey of bird-calls 1997-2000 at Calcutta. Cheetal 2006, 42(3-4), 31-4.
1 table
Chanchal Singh K
000055 Chanchal Singh K (NO, , Kunadi Garh, P.O. Kunadi, Kota, Rajasthan) : Tiger tale; Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, DWLS Kota. Cheetal 2006, 42(3-4), 22-4.
Zeenath C;Zacharias V J
007546 Zeenath C;Zacharias V J (Wildlife Biology Div, P.G. Department of Zoology, Farook College, Kozhikode, Kerala-673 632, Email: zeenathc@gmail.com) : Foraging behaviour and diving pattern of little cormorant Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot) (Pelecaniformes: Phalacrocoracidae) at Kallampara backwaters, Kerala, India. J Threatened Taxa 2010, 2(13), 1382-6.
The foraging behaviour and diving patterns of Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger were studied during August 2005 to March 2006 by direct observation of individuals foraging at Kallampara River (11009'25.5"N & 75051'02.0"E), near the Kadalundy Bird Sanctuary, Kozhikode District, Kerala, India. The individuals observed, foraged solitarily in shallow waters and displayed relatively short diving bouts composed of several dives (25.3 ± 5.75). The dive duration was positively related to surface resting time. Also, duration of dives decreased with increase in the number of dive cycles per bout. The mean diving efficiency was within the range reported for Phalacrocoracidae. Little Cormorants are opportunistic foragers utilizing the availability of prey to the maximum depending on tidal cycles. This study shows a specific relation between body mass, dive duration and diving efficiency.
Tarunkumar Singh O;Chakravorty J; Varatharajan R
007545 Tarunkumar Singh O;Chakravorty J; Varatharajan R (Centre of Biodiversity, Rajiv Gandhi Univ, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh-791 112, Email: oinamba2010@rediffmail.com) : Entomofauna of Kane wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeastern India. J Threatened Taxa 2010, 2(13), 1392-1400.
Smetacek P
007544 Smetacek P (Butterfly Research Centre, The Retreat, Jones Estate, Bhimtal, Nainital, Uttarakhand-263 136, Email: petersmetacek@rediffmail.com) : Ypthima kedarnathensis Singh, 2007 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from the Kumaon Himalaya, India. J Threatened Taxa 2010, 2(13), 1390-1.
Singh G;Rawat G S;Jalal J S
007543 Singh G;Rawat G S;Jalal J S (NO, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun-248 001) : Orchid diversity of Mandal valley in Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary, western Himlaya. J Orchid Soc India 2009, 23(1-2), 43-7.
A study was conducted on the orchids in Mandal valley of Uttarakhand during 2005-2007. A total of 48 species belonging to 28 genera were recorded, of which 13 were epiphytic and 35 terrestrial. The diversity represents 20% of the orchids reported form the state Uttarakhand. Maximum number of orchid species were found in warm temperate zone between 1500-2200 m asl. The result also shows that the species diversity decreases with increase in altitude. Temperate open forest had the maximum number of orchid species while rocky/boulders habitat had the least orchid species richness.
2 illus, 1 table, 11 ref
Samant S S
007542 Samant S S (GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Himachal Unit, Mohal-Kullu-175 126) : Diversity and conservation status of orchids in Askot wildlife sanctuary, west Himalaya. J Orchid Soc India 2009, 23(1-2), 1-9.
The West Himalaya, one of the biogeographical provinces of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), forms the transition zone between the northwestern and eastern Himalaya. It supports the biodiversity elements of both the provinces, hence rich in biodiversity. Like other group of plants, the orchids are also well represented here. The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, which connects the Uttarakhand state with Tibet and Nepal, is rich in orchid diversity due to mild climatic conditions, altitudinal range, and diverse habitats including host trees for the epiphytic orchids. The Gori valley in the sanctuary is one of the hotspots in Uttarakhand. In view of the ecological and economical importance of the orchids, an attempt has been made to study the diversity, and distribution patterns, identify their nativity, endemism, rarity, and socio-economic values besides suggesting appropriate strategies for their conservation. A total of 120 species of orchids belonging to 53 genera have been listed based on the surveys and secondary information. The genera Dendrobium (10 spp.), Bulbophyllum and Oberonia (8 spp., each), Eria (7 spp.), Habenaria (6 spp.), Liparis and Peristylus (5 spp., each), Herminium (4 spp.), and Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Cypr/pedium, Goodyera, Malaxis, Nervilia, Gastrochilus, and Vanda (3 spp., each) have contributed most to the orchid diversity. Maximum diversity of orchids is distributed in the subtropical zone (
2 illus, 1 table, 62 ref
Dow R A;Unggang J
007541 Dow R A;Unggang J (NO, National Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, Email: rory.dow230@yahoo.co.uk) : Odonata of binyo penyilam, a unique tropical wetland area in Bintulu division, Sarawak, Malaysia. J Threatened Taxa 2010, 2(13), 1349-58.
Binyo Penyilam is a unique wetland conservation area within the Sarawak Planted Forest Project zone in Sarawak's Bintulu Division. A variety of forest and open habitats are present in the area; these are characterised. An annotated list of 61 species of Odonata from 11 families collected in the area to-date is presented. At least seven of these species had not been found in Sarawak prior to their discovery at Binyo Penyilam, of these four - Pseudagrion coomansi, Merogomphus femoralis, Brachygonia puella and Chalybeothemis fluviatilis - have still not been found elsewhere in the state; no other location is known for the genus Merogomphus in Borneo. Although under-sampling makes assessments of the conservation status of south-east Asian Odonata difficult, at least 16 of the species found at Binyo Penyilam can be considered to be of potential conservation concern, at least within Sarawak.
Baskaran N;Desai A A
007540 Baskaran N;Desai A A (Bombay Natural History Society, Elephant Project, Kargudi, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu-643 211, Email: nagarajan.baskaran@gmail.com) : Does indigestible food remains in the scats of sloth bear Melursus ursinus (Carnivora: Ursidae) represent actual contribution of various diet items?. J Threatened Taxa 2010, 2(13), 1387-9.
The contribution of diet items in the food of sloth bears is estimated solely based on the dry weight or volume of indigestible food remains found in the scats, assuming that the ratio of digestible versus indigestible matters is equal in all diet items. However, this is not true in reality. The implication of this assumption is that the species that contribute a larger bulk of digestible matters are underestimated, while that of less digestible parts get overestimated and consequently are portrayed as important food sources. This study experimentally converts the percent contribution of important fruit items estimated using `indigestible fruit remains' in the scats into percent contribution by `digestible fruit content' using known dry weight of digestible fruit contents per volume of indigestible items (estimated using fresh fruit samples from the field). The percent composition of various fruit items obtained using digestible fruit content is significantly different from that derived using indigestible fruit remains in the scats. Future studies could adopt the dry weight of digestible matter as this method estimates the contribution of various food items to the diet of bears more accurately.
Mandal R
006536 Mandal R (NO, Tagore Scoiety for Rural Development, Rangabelia, Sundarban, Coshaba) : Project Rangabelia (Sundarban): a brief review. J Indian Anthrop Soc 2009, 44(1), 39-42.
Dutta R K
006535 Dutta R K (Geography Dep, Rabindra Bharati Univ, West Bengal) : Destruction of forest resources and it's impact on ecosystem with special reference to Rajaji National Park, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2009, 32(2), 155-64.
Haridwar District is not only famous for its holly religious activities but the place also bears pleasant beauties of various unique land resources like river, wetland,lakes,agricultural land,built-up areas, manmade vegetation, forest land etc.ln the entire area distinctly three types of ecosystem are observed - forest ecosystem, fresh water ecosystem and wetland ecosystem. Correlation among the various ecosystem is reflected through rich biodiversity in the area. From North to North-East the main forest region Rajaji National Park extends,where maximum biodiversity is found. It possesses various species of Tropical moist deciduous forest and Savannas like; twenty tjree mammals, hreehundred fifteen avifauna etc.Rajaji National Park possesses a rich biodiversity and it is also the home of Indian elephant which is highly endangered species. The paper is concerned with destruction of forest resources and its impact on ecosystem with special reference to Rajaji National Park.Haridwar.Uttarakhand.Rajaji National Park is exploited by local people who are dependent on natural resources like fuel,fodder etc.Deforestation man made forestfire, excessive grazing and increasing encroachment into forest area by Gujjars are responsible for forest resources degradation which harms the beautiful ecosystem of the area.
12 illus, 1 table, 7 ref
Chakraborty P
006534 Chakraborty P (Geography Dep, Kalyani Univ, Klyani-741 235) : Protected areas and wildlife tourism in Madhya Pradesh. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2009, 32(2), 51-4.
Madhya Pradesh, a state described as 'the Heart of India' in 'Incredible India' promotion plan of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is famous for managing its National Parks and Sanctuaries from the standpoint of wildlife tourism. Wildlife tourism must be developed with the ideology of achieving sustainability, unless the recreational activities in the forest in the name of wildlife tourism may disrupt the life and activities of fauna even within the core areas of National Parks. The dominant elites in India designing the conservation policies after independence viewed the wildlife as 'resources' to be subjected and exploited for recreational purposes. The notion was such that any activity except tourism has been detrimental to wildlife interest in protected areas and arguments were made in favour of physical displacement of human settlements from protected areas. People-park conflict was the ultimate result and it affects the objectives of wildlife protection. Under such circumstances, a model called Jointed Protected Area Management (JPAM) has been evolved and Madhya Pradesh is a State which has applied this model successfully in comparison to many other areas. This paper is an attempt to evaluate the polices adopted for promotion of wildlife tourism in protected areas with reference to the performance of Madhya Pradesh in this context.
7 ref
Saleem Khan A;Sheik Ali M
005459 Saleem Khan A;Sheik Ali M (Biotechnology Dep, The New College, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai-600 014, Email: saleemkhan83@gmail.com) : Mangroves living at the edges: a social survey based on environmental issue. J hum Ecol 2009, 25(2), 75-7.
Mangroves form a unique ecosystem in a coastal environment that is in constant flux and forms productive biomes. They thrive in a salty environment like coastal regions and estuaries and aid towards disaster management by facing the onslaught of giant waves such as Tsunami. It is an important asset from an ecological standpoint. In recent years, Mangrove communities have been uprooted and destroyed due to anthropogenic activity. Realizing the importance of mangroves, a community based awareness survey was made and the importance of mangroves and its possible role in disaster mitigation are emphasized. Survey reveals joint efforts should be taken by both the government and the local community to conserve and grow mangroves to save mankind from disaster.
1 table, 5 ref
Kushwaha S;Kanaujia A
005458 Kushwaha S;Kanaujia A (Zoology Dep, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: sonika_33@rediffmail.com) : Present status of vulture (Gyps spp.) fauna in some regions of Bundelkhand, India. Res Envir Life Sci 2009, 2(1), 7-10.
The status of vultures in and around Indian sub-continent has suddenly come into the spotlight. The vultures are considered nature's most efficient scavengers (the quickest, cheapest, easiest), are on the verge of extinction. There are nine species of vultures found in India: king vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis), long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus), slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), white-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), and bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). Vulture declines were first documented at Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Subsequently, the crash in populations was documented across the country. The study shows that the vulture population is declining due to habitat lost as well as disturbance in their food chain due to human interferences (cutting of trees and using the feeding sites for construction work). The study strongly recommends reviewing the legal status in provincial wildlife legislation in order to provide appropriate protection to these declining species. There needs to be develop a protected area for the effective conservation of valture species.
Sudhakar S;Prasad P R;Arrawatia M L;Sudha K; Babar S;Rao S K S V R
004385 Sudhakar S;Prasad P R;Arrawatia M L;Sudha K; Babar S;Rao S K S V R (Forestry and Ecology Div, National Remote Sensig Agency, Hyderabad-500 037) : Landscape analysis in fambong lho wildlife sanctuary, east district, Sikkim, India using remote sensing and GIS techniques. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2008, 36(2), 203-16.
The high biological diversity and rich genetic forest resources of the state of Sikkim are to be conserved due to their sensitiveness to environmental degradation through continued human interference. The conservation of bioprospecting zones in natural forests as well as in protected areas is considered important for up keeping genetic resources and their germplasm. Keeping this in view, 'Fambong Lho' wildlife sanctuary in East district, Sikkim, has been selected to characterize different communities in the dominant vegetation type of Tropical Broad Leaved Hill Forest and to assess biodiversity controls in respect of different topographical features, such as altitude, slope, and aspects and use these inputs for prioritizing the protected area into different Bioprospective zones for conservation and planning. An altitude above 2000 m, having a slope in the range of 1-5 percent facing south east aspect are the ideal environmental conditions conducive to have high species richness. The analysis of fragmentation indicates that the forests are under stress along the fringes as they are closely associated with the habitations. The biological richness is recorded reasonably within the limits in the core area of the park but further prioritizing of such areas for conservation is necessary in view of impending danger of frequent interaction of human habitation with in the sanctuary for forest resources.
4 illus, 7 tables, 12 ref
Somashekar R K;Nagaraja B C;Urs K
004384 Somashekar R K;Nagaraja B C;Urs K (Environmental Sciences Dep, Bangalore Univ, Bangalore-560 056, Email: rksmadhu@rediffmail.com) : Monitorig of forest fires in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2008, 36(1), 99-104.
The Western Ghats constitute one of the three biodiversity hot spots in India, which is under constant threat from various quarters. Among the several anthropogenic causes, fire is one of the important anthropogenic factor, which plays a pivotal role in vegetation succession and ecosystem processes. It is very important to understand the ecological changes due to fire and other anthropo-genie factors for conservation and management of biodiversity. Because of its synoptic, multi-spectral and multi-temporal nature remote sensing data can be a good source for forest fire monitoring. In the present study, an effort has been made to monitor the burnt areas using March 2000 and 2004 IRS LISS - Ill data. The study revealed that an area of 2.15 km2 and 4.46 km2 was affected by fire in 2000 and 2004 respectively. Repeated drought, followed by mass flowering and dying of bamboo accelerated the spread of fire from ground to canopy in areas with high bamboo density.
2 illus, 1 table, 10 ref
Christian B;Krishnayya N S R
004383 Christian B;Krishnayya N S R (Ecology Lab., Botany Dep, Faculty of Science, The M.S. Baroda Univ, Baroda, Gujarat, Email: krish14@gmail.com) : Discrimination of floor cover of dry deciduous forest using hyperion (EO-1) data. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2008, 36(2), 137-48.
A study was conducted to analyze high spectral reflectance data of the floor cover of dry deciduous forests (Shoolpaneshwar wildlife sanctuary, Gujarat, India) during the summer season. Hyperion data and field data were acquired in the month of April, 2006 (dry/summer season) when the vegetation was in different stages of senescence. Variations in spectral characteristics of different types of leaf litter were seen. Spectral reflectance curves were different for different thicknesses of leaf litter. Altitude also had an impact on the reflectance curves. Spectra of bare soil is easily separable from the ones covered by litter. Descriptive spectra were extracted for four cover types such as Tectona grandis L., Dendmcalamusstrictus'Nees., mixed deciduous species and bare soil. Continuum removal spectra were also extracted for these four types. Sharp absorption features were seen in VIS and SWIR-II wavelengths which were absent in the spectra of bare soil, indicating the ability of Hyperion data to discriminate dry forest floor from bare soil. The three cover types are also distinctly separable. SWIR-II wavelengths are more sensitive to the type of floor cover indicating its distinctiveness. Results are discussed highlighting the potential of Hyperion data in deciphering floor cover characteristics in the dry season.
7 illus, 25 ref
Deb P;Sundriyal R C
021151 Deb P;Sundriyal R C (NO, G.B. Pant Inst of Himalayan Environ and Develop, North East Unit, Vivek Vihar, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh-791 113, Email: sundriyalrc@yahoo.com) : Tree species gap phase performance inthe buffer zone area of Namdapha National Park, eastern Himalaya, India. Trop Ecol 2007, 48(2), 209-25.
The Namdapha National Park located in the Eastern Himalayan region is among the most diverse patches of biodiversity in India. The buffer zone area of the park that comprised tropical wet evergreen (Dipterocarpus) forests, was investigated for tree regeneration (seedlings and saplings) in gaps as well as in understorey (close-canopy) areas. The forest comprised mainly the small size gaps (area
2 illus, 7 tables, 52 ref
Sharma S
020100 Sharma S (Keoladeo National Park, , Bharatpur) : Community participation in management of Keoladeo National Park. Cheetal 2007, 46(1-2), 34-8.
Sen P;Dollo M;Choudhury M D;Choudhury D
020099 Sen P;Dollo M;Choudhury M D;Choudhury D (NO, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, North East Unit, Itanagar-791 113, Email: dhrupadc@yahoo.co.in) : Documentation of traditional herbal knowledge of Khamptis of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian J Tradl Knowledge 2008, 7(3), 438-42.
In the present global milieu, documentation of the country's traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) particularly those associated with bioresources has assumed high priority. The paper records the use and ethnomedicinal values of 37 plant species belonging to 29 families, utilised by Khamptis of Arunachal Pradesh. For each plant species, the information lists plant name, crude drug preparation, and the method of use. Such documentation not only provides opportunities, but also holds potential for developing products for the pharmaceutical sector, safeguard from biopiracy and above all sustainable use. This will also act as a tool to the economic upliftment of the upland tribal communities by harnessing some of the potential and high value species.
Singh S P;Singh R
019096 Singh S P;Singh R (Zoology Dep, Govt. P.G. Autonomous College, Satna, M.P.) : Food resources availability for monkeys in Chitrakoot (M.P.. Life Sci Bull 2007, 4(1&2), 113-20.
Food resources for monkeys (Presbytis entellus and Macaca mulatto) at Chitrakoot were highly seasonal in their availability and leaves were major portions of diet. The forest area of Chitrakoot is deciduous in nature, most of them consist of Tectona grandis, Anogeissus latifolia, A.pendula, Diospyros melanoxylon, Boswellia serrata, Lannea coromandilica etc. During present investigation the vegetational profile was studied under four categories i.e. trees, shrub, herbs and climbers. In forest area 86 trees and 97 shrubs, herbs and climbers (belonging to 81 families) were identified during the study.
2 tables, 18 ref
Shukla C P
019095 Shukla C P (Botany Dep, T.D.P.G. College, (Purvanchal Univ) Jaunpur, U.P.) : Diversity and floristic composition of tropical deciduous forest of dewghat in Koraon range (U.P.). Life Sci Bull 2007, 4(1&2), 37-41.
Vegetational type of any place is decided by the environmental factors, climatic condition and geology of the region. The variety with variation and abundance of species are peculiar in specific habitats. The species are becoming extinct due to natural calamities or man made reasons by human interference. The damage to biodiversity is an ethical tragedy with a great social, economical, medicinal and cultural losses. The degraded phyto-diversity may perish the human life and efforts are being made to save the biodiversity. A total of 76 plant species from 27 families were recorded in the Dewghat forest. Butea monosperma (Palas), Terminalia chebula (Harra) and Diospyros melanoxylon (Tendu), Bombex ceiba (Samel), Alangium salvifolium (Akol) are dominant species in these forest as per stem density and basal area in the deciduous forest (351 tree ha-1). The 'L' shaped curve of different DBH classes of trees and saplings indicates good regeneration in the forests and change in species composition, which is large due to transition in vegetation types, influenced by anthropogenic disturbance and other abiotic factors.
3 table, 22 ref
Sharma S K
016008 Sharma S K (Foundation for Ecological Security, , 18, New Ahinsapuri, Fatehpura, Udaipur-313 001) : Breeding season of Rusty-spotted cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (Geoffroy) in Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary, Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India. Zoos Print J 2007, 22(10), 2874.
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Parasharya B M;Tere A
016007 Parasharya B M;Tere A (AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388 110, Email: parasharya@yahoo.com) : An observation of common Indian monitor lizard Varanus bengalensis schneider mortality on Anand-Ahmedabad highway, Gujarat, India. Zoos Print J 2007, 22(10), 2872.
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Jha A;Jha V
016006 Jha A;Jha V (NO, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majithar, Rangpo, Sikkim-737 132) : Sikkim serow: threats and conservation. Mendel int J 2007, 24(3-4), 125.
Sikkim is home for the serow and conservation measure need to be adapted for this.
2 ref
Verma A
013893 Verma A (NO, Society for Research in Ecology and Environment (SREE), Sarafa Bazar, Rekha Naanga Gali, Bharatpur-321 001, Email: vermaasok@rediffmail.com) : Communal harrier roost-sites in Mumbai and Akola districts, Maharashtra. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2007, 104(1), 85-7.
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Sivakumar K
013892 Sivakumar K (Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun (Uttarakhand)) : Diversity, conservation and sustainable use of fish resources of Banganga wetland, Uttarakhand, India. Indian For 2007, 133(10), 1273-80.
Uttarakhand Forest Department has recently declared the Jhilmil Jheel as a Conservation Reserve. Therefore, conservation of near by Banganga wetland which is identified as a crucial habitat for swamp deer in Uttarakhand, becomes important. Since, baseline information about fishes occur in the Banganga is necessary to monitor their populations as well as habitats. Extensive surveys of fish fauna were carried out between February and June 2006. Since the February is the peak period of fishing, majority of the sample collection was done during this period to prepare a checklist of fish species which occur in the Baanganga. A total of 40 species of fishes were recorded during the survey period. Most of them were commercially important and many species were assessed as threatened. Various recommendations for the conservation and sustainable utilization of fish biodiversity of this wetland are discussed.
2 illus, 1 table, 14 ref
Sethy P G S;Sahu P;Siddiqi S Z
013891 Sethy P G S;Sahu P;Siddiqi S Z (NO, , Zoological Survey of India, Estuarine Biological Station, Gopalpur-on-Sea, Ganjam (Orissa)) : Butterfly fauna in similipal biosphere reseve, Mayurbhang, North Orissa, India. Indian For 2007, 133(10), 1403-10.
Highlights the species diversity in butterfly fauna [Lepidoptera : Rhopalocera] in terms of species richness and equitability, in Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Mayurbhanj, North Orissa. The study was based upon field studies/observation, through random survey, from 39 randomly selected sampling sites (buffer/core areas) during different seasons in the sprawling 2750 km2 of protected area. Earlier study records 27 species of butterflies, under 17 genera and 6 families, among other fauna, from the Biosphere Reserve, while the present inventory, takes the total to 52 species, under 32 genera and 5 families. Of these, family Nymphalidae (26 species) is well represented throughout, occurring commonly, followed by Papilionidae (15 species), Pieridae (6 species), Lycaenidae(2 species) and Hesperiidae (3 species), Further, the study also extends the range of distribution of 25 species to the protected area, with notes on their habitat, besides adding 13 species to the state lepidopteran fauna.
1 illus, 1 table, 19 ref
Samantray R K;Mishra A K
013890 Samantray R K;Mishra A K (NO, , Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar (Orissa)) : Effect of drug xylazine hydrochloride in chemically immobilizing a pigmy elephant under standing sedation to successfully treat lameness-a case report from Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Orissa. Indian For 2007, 133(10), 1318-26.
Treatment of a limping female elephant with left foreleg swelling at carpal joint is discussed. This particular female elephant claimed to be a pigmy elephant of Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Angul District (Orissa). Because of its leg problem, its movement was restricted and it strayed out from the herd. Specialized treatment was provided during state of standing sedation by tranquilzing through dart firing from a Mod 60-N Dart Gun from a distance of 30-35 m, using the drug Xylazine Hydrochloride. Drugs like long acting antibiotics, analgesics, steroids, neurotonics, liver extract, fluid therapy and other life saving drugs were given on a definite interval i.e. 13.3.2005, 17.3.2005 and 22.3.2005. In each case after the treatment Yuhimbine Hydrochloride was administered intra-veinously for a timely reversal. The swelling of leg was reduced and the mobility was restored. The animal recovered gracefully as reported it was able to walk properly from 25.3.2005 onwards in the vicinity.
1 table, 12 ref
Rawat G S
013889 Rawat G S (NO, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabhani, Dehradun-248 001, Email: rawatg@wii.gov.in) : Pastoral practices, wild mammals and conservation status of alpine meadows in western Himalaya. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2007, 104(1), 5-11.
An ecological expedition was conducted across the alpine region of western Himalaya, from June to October 2004, to assess the conservation status of alpine meadows, current land use practices, patterns of plant species diversity and wildlife use. Deals with the findings pertaining to pastoral practices, abundance of wild mammals and status of alpine meadows under varying intensity of livestock grazing. Barring 3-4 protected areas (PAs), most of the alpine meadows were heavily grazed during summer. Abundance of wild mammals was very low in heavily grazed and degraded PAs. Unless management authorities rationalize livestock grazing, in consultation with the local communities, several PAs would fail to meet conservation objectives, and alpine meadows would further degrade, leading to environmental disaster in the region.
1 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref
Rastogi N
013888 Rastogi N (Zoology Dep, Centre of Advanced Study, BHU, Varanasi-221 005, Email: neelkamalrastogi@yahoo.co.in) : Seasonal pattern in the territorial dynamics of the Arboreal ant Oecophylla smaragdina Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2007, 104(1), 30-4.
A 30-month field study on territorial dynamics of Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabncius) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) colonies in Varanasi, India, revealed a regular seasonal pattern in territorial organisation. Each colony exhibited a circannual rhythm pertaining to the size of the central territory (nesting trees) and the secondary territory (ground area). Incorporation of new nesting trees in the central territory showed a major peak in September and a smaller peak during March-April. In each colony, only one tree, located near the centre of the territory, was used continuously for a maximum duration (28 and 30 months in colony I and II respectively). In both the colonies, trees located at a distant from the centre of the colony territory were found to be incorporated in the central territory, during March-April and/or September each year. Ground area used by each colony was largest during September. The circannual rhythm of territorial organization may be related to the brood development and food requirements of the Oecophylla smaragdina colony. Thus, territorial expansion during September, each year, may be a fine-tuned evolutionary adaptation of the growing colony to the availability of insect prey during the southwest monsoon rains.
4 illus, 18 ref
Ragupathy Kannan
013887 Ragupathy Kannan (Biology Dep, Arkansas Univ, Fort Smith, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913, Usa, Email: rkannan@uafortsmith.edu) : New bird descriptions without proper voucher specimens: Reflections after the bugun Liocichla case. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2007, 104(1), 12-8.
A new species of Liocichla (Aves: Timaliidae) was recently described (Athreya 2006) without the submission of a proper voucher specimen. The author did not collect one on grounds that the species may be rare. The publication evoked dismay among museum ornithologists who feel that the species should not have been formally described and published without a proper voucher specimen, and that the bird may not be as rare as believed. There is also a feeling outside of museum circles that the requirement of voucher specimens may be obsolete and that museum scientists are insensitive to conservation concerns. This essay analyses this controversy and attempts to present the science behind this sensitive issue, to facilitate future decision making. Topics covered include: similar cases in the past and the criticisms they have evoked; why voucher specimens are indispensable for ornithological research and conservation; why there may be no viable alternatives; how scientific collecting makes little or no impact in most bird populations; whether bird journals should accept new descriptions without proper voucher specimens; and how modern museum ornithologists are partners rather than adversaries in the cause of bird conservation.
44 ref
Chakravarthy A K;Girish A C
013886 Chakravarthy A K;Girish A C (Entomology Dep, , G.K.V.K., Bengaluru-560 065, Email: chakravarthyakshay@yahoo.com) : Feeding ecology of Indian Porcupine (Hystrix indica Kerr) in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantations of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2007, 104(1), 40-4.
Feeding ecology of the Indian Porcupine Hystrix indica Ken in and around coconut plantations in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, southern India, was studied during 2001-2002. A survey of four districts in the study area showed that this species fed on 16 species of plants and was a major pest to the coconut plantations. It debarked the palm, fed on fallen nuts, injured seedlings to the point of no further growth, and bored into the bole eventually causing mortality. Mortality of the palms depended on age - the younger the palm, the greater the damage (r=0.9206, P=0.05). The Porcupines feed on coconut bark, principally, from September to January. Burrows were categorized as small and big, and the number of Porcupines corresponded to the size of the burrows (r=0.8972, P=0.05). Encroachment of forest lands by man has resulted in alternative foods of the Indian Porcupine becoming locally scarce in the wild. Hence; conserving its natural habitat is critical.
3 tables, 16 ref
Bhatnagar C;Jani K;Sharma V
013885 Bhatnagar C;Jani K;Sharma V (Aqutic Toxicology and Wildlife Research Laboratory, Zoology Dep, Mohanlal Sukhadia Univ, Udaipur (Rajasthan)) : Vanishing habitats of aquatic birds in the city of lakes, Udaipur: a case study. Indian For 2007, 133(10), 1395-1402.
Study was conducted in order to observe the diversity of aquatic birds in and around the famous lake Pichhola. Only 36 species of birds belonging to 16 families were observed during the course of study. The littoral zone of shallow freshwater marshes surrounding the lake was known to support as many as 66 species of bird's upto 1989. Due to the destruction of this habitat mostly by anthropogenic activity, there has been a continuous decline of avian diversity and is therefore a great cause of concern. An attempt has been made in the present study to analyze the reasons for destruction of habit at of aquatic birds and suggestions have been made for their management and conservation.
1 illus, 2 tables, 5 ref