Informatics Publishing Limited

Hilaluddin , Shahla Yasmeen , Gulrukh Saleem

Abstract

A survey of hunting and consumption of wild animals among the Sherpas community in and around Singhalila National Park was conducted. Rate and pattern of hunting of animal species, their importance to respondents, hunting techniques, and reasons for hunting were studied. At least, 44 species of wild animals were commonly hunted in the surveyed villages. These include several globally threatened species. Although impacts of removal on wild population remained unclear but hunting seems to be adversely affecting densities of Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra) and Red Panda (Allurus fulgens). Wild animal hunting and consumptions by households remained statistically non-significant implying that hunting was largely for subsistence. Mammals made the highest contribution in the animal off take of a household. Large bodied animals contributed maximum to mean animal harvest of a hunter. Three types of hunting were prevalent in the surveyed villages: 1) organized hunting targeted to specific species, 2) regular snaring of game birds in the vicinity of villages, and 3) opportunistic hunting. Age and education status of a hunter had no impact on his animal extraction rates. Wild animal extractions from forests by all sections of the society remained same. The majority of respondents extracted wild animals to supplement their diet with meat.

Keywords

Wild Animal Hunting, Wild Meat Dependency, Wild Meat Income, Singhalila

Full Text

     

V. K. Bahuguna , Hilaluddin

Abstract

This study documents the impact of Joint Forest Management (JFM) on forest conservation and poverty reduction. The JFM was developed as a response to forest degradation and its impact on the ecology and livelihoods of poor people dependent on forests. The JFM performance in the study area resulted not only to better access in the forests and livelihoods but also augmentation in the local economy. With increased income, literacy rate went up significantly whereas out-migration reduced. There was significant improvement in the regeneration of forests and the biodiversity. The better moisture and soil conservation resulted in increased water table which led to better irrigation facilities for the adjoining agriculture field leading to increased agriculture yield. The poverty stricken villages changed into prosper villages.

Keywords

Joint Forest Management, Conservation of Forests, Climate Change and Poverty
Reduction

Full Text

     

Hilaluddin , Daizy N. Khan , Faiza Abbassi

Abstract

Game species are lost when forest areas are subjected to hunting and populations of already threatened species may become locally extinct from many such patches. The present study tested this hypothesis in the temperate forests of West Indian Himalaya. The animal densities were estimated in predetermined Belt Transects, whereas vegetation abundance was estimated using point count strategy. The study provides solid evidence that hunting seriously impacts populations of hunted species. The results show that barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), goral (Nemorhaedus goral), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) and serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) are encountered more frequently in protected sites than hunted sites. The fate of globally threatened species, specifically Himalayan tahr and serow, seems to be heavily impacted; and, both species are at high risk of local extinctions from many forest patches in this landscape of the world.

Keywords

Ungulate Densities, Hunting Impact, Extraction, Wildlife

Full Text

     

V. K. Bahuguna , Hilaluddin

Abstract

This article reviews policy and institutional framework set up for implementation of Joint Forest Management Programme in India. Initially, the growth of JFM was tardy and slow during first initial decade due to lack of proper institutional arrangements. The MoEF revised JFM guidelines in 2000 and 2002 and circulated these guidelines among all States and Union Territories with sharpen focus on extending JFM programme to good forests with very well defined institutional and legal framework. Consequently, JFM movement in the country progressed both quantitatively as well as qualitatively. As of 2007, more than one lakh JFMCs had been managing around 22 million ha of forestland. Out of 1.6 million reported forest fringe villages in the country, roughly 62% forest fringe villages have been covered under JFM stream with involvement of around 8.3 million families and 62 million people.

Keywords

Joint Forest Management, Policy Analysis, Implementation, Future Prospects

Full Text

     

V. K. Bahuguna , Hilaluddin , A. K. Sikka

Abstract

This paper reviews status, policies and programmes for fringe forest development in India and gives a vision statement for the development of fringe forests of the country, based on global and regional events which have changed the emphasis in the forestry sector in the way stakeholders perceive how forests should be managed in future and how dovetailing ongoing activities, programmes and resources of the line departments can develop rainfed social and ecological capital of the country in a holistic manner for a win-win situation for all concerned.

Keywords

Fringe Forests, Policies, Stakeholders, Sustainable Forest Management And Rural Livelihoods

Full Text

     

Soumya Dasgupta , Hilaluddin

Abstract

Responses of hornbills and Ducula pigeons to hunting and disturbances to their habitats may help us understand the implications for the regeneration of their dependent tropical forest trees. Moreover, density estimates serve as a gauge of whether some frugivorous birds can potentially substitute for the decline of their functionally-similar competitors. We carried out a October long survey of 24 line-transects distributed across disturbed (2 sites) and undisturbed (4 sites) habitats in the lowland evergreen forests of Pakke wildlife sanctuary and surrounding forests of Arunachal Pradesh. Hornbill and Ducula densities were estimated with DISTANCE. While densities of the Great Indian Hornbill, Buceros bicornis; Oriental Pied Hornbill, Anthracoceros albirostris, and wreathed hornbill, Aceros undulatus were substantially reduced in disturbed habitats, densities of the mountain imperial pigeon, Ducula badia and the green imperial pigeon, Ducula aenea were unaffected. These results suggest that Ducula pigeons may potentially provide substitute dispersal services for large-seeded tree species in disturbed sites, but that this response is most likely context driven.

Keywords

Pakke Tiger Reserve, Hornbills, Pigeons, Line Transect, Density and DISTANCE

Full Text

     

Hilaluddin , Rashid Y. Naqash , Naim Akthar

Abstract

The present study tested the hypothesis that "game species are lost when forest areas are subjected to hunting and populations of already threatened species may become locally extinct from many forests of the Western Indian Himalaya". The study was designed to determine effects of vegetation structure and heterogeneity, and behaviour of animal species on their encounters in hunted and protected sites. The compared forest patches are similar in abundance of trees, herbs, and shrubs. Animal densities allowed the investigator to determine whether higher densities of pheasants in the protected areas are simply due to protection efforts accorded within this zone. The study provides scientific evidence that hunting seriously impacts populations of hunted species. The results show that cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichi), kaleej pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos), koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) and monal pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus) are seen more often in protected sites than in hunted sites. The locally common species are heavily impacted and at higher risk of local extinctions from forest patches in this landscape than the rare ones.

Keywords

Himalaya, Pheasant, Hunting and Impact

Full Text

     

Naim Akhtar , Harendra Singh Bargali , N. P. S. Chauhan , Hilaluddin

Abstract

Sloth bears inhabits different habitat types across Indian subcontinent and lives in varied sized dens made up of big boulders. The present survey recorded 109 active denning sites in Pendra and Marwahi ranges of North Bilaspur Forest Division. Most of the bear denning sites were located around Ficus virens, F. tinctoria, Bauhinia sp., Diospyros melanoxylon, Boswellia serrata and Lannea coromandelica trees. All dens were recorded from degraded forests. Water availability for bears was plentiful and most of the denning sites had accessibility to water at a short distance. Similarly, most of the denning sites were located at a reasonable distance from the nearest human habitation. Majority of recorded dens faced south followed by southeast and northeast directions. Interestingly, other animals were also observed sharing bear denning sites. Occasionally sloth bears were seen shifting their sites. The sloth bear preferred to come out from their dens early in the evening but seen waiting until dark to commence before going for foraging. Sloth bear also relax for 30-45 minutes outside the dens before entering into it. Majority of observed bears entered into their dens early in the morning much before human starts entering into forests. Annual outside mean temperature as well as inside mean temperature of dens varied significantly during day time.

Keywords

Sloth Bear, Den Sites, Cover, Water Bodies, Human Settlement

Full Text