R. K. Mohanto , D. Kumar , B. S. Adhikari , A. K. Bhardwaj

Abstract

No abstract

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R. K. Mohanta , A. K. Bhardwaj , B. S. Adhikari , P. K. Mathur

Abstract

On a global scale, the existing Sacred Groves (SGs) follow ancestral worship and focus on conservation in forest patches. SGs are distributed over a wide ecosystem and help in conservation of rare and endemic species. Well preserved SGs are store houses of biological, ecological, medicinal, Ethno-cultural and religious values. During November 2006 to February 2007 we have documented 56 SGs in Garo Hills Area, among them 27 SGs in Garo Conservation Area (GCA). Thirteen SGs were randomly selected for detailed survey for the assessment of floral and faunal diversity, ethno-cultural values and management status. A total 149 plant species representing 131 genera with 52 families were recorded through floristic survey. 25 species of ethno-medicinal value are being used by local communities for cure from different diseases. Besides, 7 mammal species (6 genera), 33 bird species (27 genera) were recorded. In Garo Hills, SGs are small in size and can act as staring point for any long term conservation of biodiversity. The communities have still their faith and traditions linked to these mini nuclei of rich biodiversity in the landscape. Therefore, any conservation program can begin from local communities by taking them into confidence and empowerment through capacity building and awareness.

Keywords

Biological Value, Ethno-cultural And Religious Value, Anthropogenic Pressure,
Conservation Status, Sacred Groves

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B. K. Mishra , Ruchi Badola , A. K. Bhardwaj

Abstract

Involuntary displacement of people from their productive assets and homesteads, caused due to industrial and infrastructure projects, and more recently for creation of Wildlife Protected Areas (Pas) has faced wide spread criticism. Once displaced, the affected families are pushed into an open-market situation as individuals competing for their survival in a hostile new environment. A majority of them prove to be losers in this new race of development. Thus, such efforts have been widely criticized for the adverse impact they have had on the local people who have been relocated as a consequence of such projects. In general there is now some consensus on the fact that there are inadequacies in the relocation process and package, and identification of better strategies to deal with it are being called for. However, there are also some recent initiatives of voluntary relocation in some PAs of the country which seem to have captured lessons from the past and thus, these initiatives provide an opportunity to examine relevant issues and the reasons for their success. There is a paucity of studies on systematic documentation of 'wise and bad' practices of village relocation program from the PAs. Therefore, this paper attempts to document the process and package of community relocation and rehabilitation program implemented recently in Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand.

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A. Veeramani , Pramod G. Krishnan , A. K. Bhardwaj , Rajasekharan Pillai , Gigi K. Joseph

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An ornithological survey in PTR was carried out for assessing the current status and distribution of bird species in the Tiger Reserve. Eleven blocks were selected for the ornithological survey and 187 bird species were recorded during the survey of which 4 species viz. Common green shank (Tringa nebularia), Malabar pied hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus), Ashy-crowned sparrowlark (Eremopterix grisea) and Chestnut-bellied nuthatch (Sitta castanea) are new records to Periyar. In addition, the Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Phesant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus), Purple heron (Ardea purpurea), Purple swamphen (Porphurio porphyrio), Western Reef egret (Egrita gularis), Oriental white ibis (Threskornis melanocephalus), Common teal (Anus crecca), Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) and Common coot (Fulica atra) were also recently sighted. This adds up to a total of 323 species of birds recorded from PTR. Sabarimala pilgrimage, raising of water level, sporadic forest fire and cattle grazing are some of the major threats to the hird population. Recommendations are given for addressing some of these issues.

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Ruchi Badola , A. K. Bhardwaj , S. K. Mukherjee

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The Protected Area (PA) Network in India has helped to conserve a significant part of India's biodiversity. It has, however, engendered conflicts between the livelihood requirements and aspirations of the local communities living in and around these areas, and PA ma,nagers. The stress has been on reducing or eliminating altogether the human sources of biotic pressures, with the assumption that any such pressure was detrimental to wildlife interests. Although such an approach to conservation has been successful to a certain extent, it also alienated the local people from the PAs. Enlisting the cooperation and support of local people has thus, emerged as a major priority area of in situ biodiversity conservation. This is the concept of ecodevelopment as it is referred to in India or Integrated Conservation and Development in many other countries. Ecodevelopment, addressed the livelihood problems of people surrounding PAs, using as its basic thrust the diversion of as much pressure from PAs all possible. However with almost a decade of experience with ecodevelopment, there is now a focus on collaborative management or Joint Protected Area Management as it is referred to, which envisages the involvement of local communities and other stakeholders in PA management. This paper discusses the concept of ecodevelopment, its ev01ution and the problems associated with developing collaborative partnerships with different stakeholders. It examines some of the recent models of community participation in PA management across the country. Besides a strong policy and legal support, other factors like strong conservation-development linkages, trained and motivated manpower and a strong research base and regular monitoring playa role in its success. The paper goes on to conclude that in order to ensure the sustainability of such programs, the logical outcome of ajoint management approach and the rights and responsibilities of the local communities and other stakeholders should be clarified. The integration of the PAs into landscape or regional level planning by a comprehensive review of the national and state laws relating to natural resources is required.

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A. K. Bhardwaj , Pramod G. Krishnan , K. Geetha , A. Veeramani

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Understanding the significance of Tiger in the ecosystem, Government of India launched 'Project Tiger' in 1973 for the conservation of tiger and its habitat. By the end of year 2000, 27 Tiger Reserves were established in the country. One of the major constraints or issues confronting conservation in the Tiger Reserves can be attributed to the existence of human population in and around the reserves. These Reserves with the status of Sanctuary or National Park are traditionally following the conventional model of exclusionist Protected Area (PA) management which stresses on coercion and policing as the dominant tool for biodiversity conservation. However, consistent with the National Forest Policy, 1988, the PAs have gradually started addressing the livelihood needs of the local communities and soliciting their support for conservation. Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), Kerala, is an example of the successful co-existence of park and people. The tiger reserve along with its adjoining forest areas form an exceptionally rich rainforest landscape. However, mega developmental threats and subsistence dependency of local people had threatened the long-term conservation of PTR. The implementation of India Ecodevelopment Project (IEP) between 1996 and 2004 opened a new vista of PA management, which goes hand in hand with the protection of the PA and livelihood security of the local people. One of the most important contributions of the project has been the evolution of various Community Based Ecotourism Programmes (CBEP) with strong focus on park protection and visitor experience providing sustained livelihoods to about 2000 including indigenous families and rehabilitated forest offenders. Involvement of the local people in pilgrimage management has resulted in safeguarding the ecological sanctity of Sabarimala apart from generating valuable income for forest dependent communities. The project has resulted in the improved planning and protection of the PA Area, reduction in resource use by local people, improvement in habitat health, building social capital among local communities and creation of institutional mechanisms for sustaining the achievements. In order to ensure the post project sustainability, the Government of Kerala has established a semi autonomous Trust named Periyar Foundation with the objective of supporting biodiversity conservation and community welfare initiatives of PTR and adjoining landscape. An eco development surcharge levied on visitors to the PA is being pooled into the operational fund of the Foundation. In nut shell, a new system of decentralized and self-reliant PA management system is evolving in PTR wherein the interest of the biodiversity of the PA is integrated and mainstreamed with the livelihood security of the local people in the landscape.

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Jomy Augustine , N. Sasidharan , A. K. Bhardwaj , K. P. Rajesh

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Periyar Tiger Reserve is known for its rich fauna, particularly larger mammals. Grasses form an important food resource for the wild animals. During the studies on the flora of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, 163 species of grasses belonging to 74 genera were collected including seven species which have not been recorded earlier from Kerala. The species are listed in the alphabetical order. The nomenclature is made up to date. Important synonyms are also provided. Analysis with respect to endemism and rarity is also given.

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Jaimon Joseph , A. K. Bhardwaj , V. J. Zacharias

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P. Muhammed Jafer , A. K. Bhardwaj , K. J. Peeyuskutty , V. J. Zacharias

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This paper is aimed at determining the population of aquatic birds in Periyar Lake for making comparable studies in future. A total of 23 species of birds were recorded. Of these 17 were residents and 6 winter visitors.

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V. J. Zacharias , A. K. Bhardwaj

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V. J. Zacharias , Hans Oelke , A. K. Bhardwaj

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V. J . Zacharias , A. K. Bhardwaj

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During the preliminary survey, 16 species of amphibians were identified. Of these 10 species are endemic to Western Ghats. It is an additional information on amphibians.

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K. K. Srivastava , A. K. Bhardwaj , C. J. Abraham , V. J. Zacharias

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This study has identified new prey species of the major mammalian predators in Periyar Tiger Reserve; Nilgiri Langur, Elephant and Varanus for Tiger and Flying Squirrel for Leopard. The proportion of different prey species taken by these predators is also interesting.

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K. K. Srivastava , A. K. Bhardwaj , Sony George , V. J. Zacharias

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The studies on the food plants of Sambar, Gaur and Cattle conducted in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, Kerala have been described in this paper.

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K. K. Srivastava , V. J. Zacharias , A. K. Bhardwaj , Petrisia Joseph , Sherly Joseph

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To compare the troop and territory sizes, food habits and activity budgets of Nilgiri Langur in Periyar Tiger Reserves in monsoon seasons, a study was conducted and results are summarized.

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K. K. Srivastava , V. J. Zacharias , A. K. Bhardwaj , S. V. Abdul Hameed

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A study of the Asiatic Elephants (Elephas maximus) was conducted in and around the Periyar Tiger Reserve on the habitat preference of the species during various seasons for the management of Elephant.

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K. K. Srivastava , A. K. Bhardwaj , C. J. Abraham , V. J. Zacharias

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The detailed list of Raptors with their habitats, abundance, migratory status and management strategies in Periyar Tiger Reserve are discussed in this paper.

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V. J. Zacharias , A. K. Bhardwaj

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K. K Srivastava , V. J. Zacharias , A. K. Bhardwaj , Jomy Augustine , Sherly Joseph

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Periyar Tiger Reserve has a grassland area of about 54 km², It supports rich herbivorous animal populations. The grasslands of this Reserve are divided into Tropical Montane grasslands and South Indian Subtropical Hill Savannah. Besides their forage value, the grasslands are potential for maintaining micro-climates for many endangered plants and animals. Forest fire is one of the major ecological factors in grasslands. Planting of Eucalyptus and other exotic plants destabilize the ecology of grasslands. Which are ideal habitats for endangered species fauna like Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Pipit etc.

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K. K. Srivastava , V. J. Zacharias , A. K. Bhardwaj , P. Mohammedjafer

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A checklist of birds of Periyar Tiger Reserve was prepared. Two hundred and fortynine species of birds are recorded in the reserve. Sixty species are new records for Periyar while 3 are new records for Kerala. The lesser number of wetland birds may be due the absence of marshes and shallow water areas in the Lake. Rarity of larger birds of prey may be due to their low population in nature or the agricultural practices in the surrounding areas. This study shows that Periyar has great potential for detailed orinithological research.

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B. K. Mishra , Ruchi Badola , A. K. Bhardwaj

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Creation and subsequent expansion of Protected Area (PA) network has often deprived local people of their usufruct rights and displaced communities from their traditional lands. This 'isolationist' approach has resulted in severe conflicts between local people and PA authorities. Poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods for forest based communities, along with inability to mainstream biodiversity concerns in development planning around biodiversity-rich areas have been recognized as some of the ischolar_main cause of threats to biodiversity conservation, and this sowed the seed of an alternate precept and practice of conservation which eventually came to be known as 'ecodevelopment'. This approach lays emphasis on community participation, explicitly recognizes the special needs of disprivileged and poorest of poor populations within local communities, and attempts to take care of their needs in the programme design. The process of ecodevelopment as evolved in and around PAs of India, has been a step by step action for it and had to deal with the biophysical complexities and socio-political dimensions of biodiversity conservation. This paper attempts to highlight the lessons learnt, critical factors that have contributed to the success of these initiatives, and the range of complex issues that have emerged while implementing ecodevelopment projects in India. It also provides an opportunity of exploring the possibility of expanding this program beyond the boundaries of the PAs.

Keywords

Biodiversity, Conservation, Stakeholders, Protected Area, Ecodevelopment. Participation

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