Informatics Publishing Limited

E. A. Jayson , G. Christopher

Abstract

Human-elephant conflict in Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent areas was studied based on observational methods during the year 1993 to 1996 as a part of project studying the large mammals in the sanctuary. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, situated at an altitude ranging from 98 to 1594 m amsl in the southern Western Ghats, India has diverse habitats like tropical moist deciduous and evergreen forests and plantations. Elephants were located 73 times during the period of study and altogether 217 elephants were seen, the male to female ratio was 1 : 6 (N = 217). Mean herd size was 10 individuals per herd and maximum numbers was sighted in the moist deciduous forest followed by eucalypt plantation, swampy areas, semievergreen forest and evergreen forest. Plant species used as food by elephants was also recorded, when they were not involved in crop raiding. Major animals engaged in crop damage were wild boar and elephant. The animals involved in crop damage were mainly lone males, in the case of elephants and most of the raids were at night. It was observed that substantial amount of crop was damaged as compared to what was consumed by the animals. Coconut was mainly damaged by elephants and the damage was confined to the trees less than 20 years. Coconut trees less than 10 years were pushed down and the central rachis and shoots were consumed. Plantains were also attacked by elephants, the leaves were discarded and the central portion of the stem consumed. Elephant also destroyed paddy, rubber and pineapple by trampling. While damage by wild boar was recorded throughout the year, the attack from elephants was related to the species of crops cultivated. Besides crop damage instances, four human deaths were also recorded. Crop damage is linked to the cropping pattern and location of settlements and it is one of the problems, which severely affects the economic status of tribals.

Keywords

Human-Elephant Conflict, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Western Ghats,
Kerala

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S. Balakrishna ¹, G. Christopher ¹, M. S. Vijaya Raghava ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, IN

Abstract

Granites of the Osmania University area, Hyderabad, have been studied in detail in order to understand their geological setting and magnetic anomalies. An area comprising nearly 8 sq. miles has been mapped for structural elements and the distribution of pink and grey granites in the field have been marked out. The area has been divided into a square grid of 200 meters interval and vertical intensity of magnetic field has been measured at nearly 600 stations and a magnetic anomaly map has been prepared. It is interesting to note that the magnetic anomaly map follows the distribution of various types of granites and the location of dykes in the field. A few magnetic highs have been noted and these are generally correlatable to the grey granite massifs.

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S. Prasanth Narayanan ¹, Basil Thomas ², K. S. Sunish ³, R. Anuja ⁴, S. Sathrumithra ¹, M. K. Smija ², G. Christopher ⁵, A. P. Thomas ⁵, J. M. Julka ⁶

Affiliations
1 Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam – 686560, IN
2 Department of Zoology, Kannur University College, Mananthavady Campus, Edavaka P.O., Wayanad – 670645, Kerala, IN
3 Department of Zoology, Maharajas College, Ernakulam – 682011, Kerala, IN
4 School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam – 686560, Kerala, IN
5 Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam – 686560, Kerala, IN
6 School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shoolini University, Solan –173 212, Himachal Pradesh, IN

Abstract

Among the 102 species of earthworms known from Kerala, Dichogaster saliens (Beddard, 1893) of the Family Benhamiidae and Metaphire posthuma (Vaillant, 1868) of the Family Megascolecidae were not recorded till date. The presence of exotic earthworms D. saliens and M. posthuma are documented herewith for the first time from Kerala, based on specimens collected from Ernakulam, Palakkad and Wayanad districts. Their descriptive account and distribution is provided.

Keywords

Exotic Species, Earthworms, New Addition, Western Ghats.

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