Anil Kumar Chhangani

Abstract

An extensive survey was carried out to locate breeding colonies and nests of vultures in Rajasthan. This includes Long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus), White-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) as breeding residents, Himalayan griffon (Gyps hymalayensis), Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus) and Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) were recorded as winter migrants. A total of 5,080 vultures of 7 different species were counted in 23 districts of Rajasthan. This includes 1,086 Long-billed vultures, 325 White-backed vultures, 84 Red-headed vultures, 2,413 Egyptian vultures and 1,172 migratory vultures i.e. Himalayan griffon, Eurasian griffon and Cinereous vulture. Many serious threats to these vultures were recorded during the study other then 'diclofenac', like habitat loss, predation by dogs, hunting and disturbances, kite flying, scarcity of food and water, weather conditions, miss fledgling, change in land use practices, road accidents and electrocution. Therefore strong in-situ vulture conservation programmme is equally required with the present ex-situ conservation programmes.

Keywords

Vulture Population, Gyps Indicus,Gyps Bengalensis, Sarcogyps Calvus, Neophron
Percnopterus, Gyps Himalayensis, Gyps Fulvus, Gyps Himalayensis, Threats, Rajasthan.

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Anil Kumar Chhangani

Abstract

Over the last decade, a drastic crash in the vulture population is believed to have taken place in India and the probable causes of a such a decline are believed to be diseases, pesticides, poisoning and killing of vultures around airports etc. The present study was undertaken in and around Jodhpur, to find out the ecology and population dynamics of the vultures, both resident and migratory and was carried out between 1996-2003. The population of Long-billed and White-backed vultures shows a decline of about 24% and 40% whereas the Egyption vultures have increased, by 36%. Migratory vultures have doubled in 2003. The population starts increasing from October touching peak in January-February and decreasing from March onwards, and is the least during May to August. Migratory vultures are not seen from May to September. They feed on dumping grounds of carcasses. Loss of nesting and roosting sites was due to mining and cutting of trees. Further conservation apd management programmes are necessary.

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Anil Kumar Chhangani

Abstract

Plant phases and their phenological events in time and space were recorded in respect of flower buds, nature flowers, unripe fruit and ripe fruits. Out of 214 plants species, collected in the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) 45 species were examined for their different phytophases. The phenological scores of each species and their phytophases were examined between January 1997 to December 1997. The phenology study in KWS suggests that this dry-deciduous forest produced enough flowers and fruits available throughout the year, even in the difficult conditions like in summer, to support wild and domestic animals. The majority of species flowered in the hot season. The peak month for flowering was April, whereas fruting takes place round the year with some peak in May but, concentration of ripe and unripe fruits were common during monsoon.

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Anil Kumar Chhangani

Abstract

Plant phases and their phenological events in time and space were recorded in respect of flower buds, mature flowers, unripe fruit and ripe fruits. Out of 214 plants species, collected in the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) 45 species were examined for their different phytophases. The phenological scores of each species and their phytophases were examined between January 1997 to December t 997. The phenology study in KWS suggests that this dry-deciduous forest produced enough flowers and fruits available throughout the year, even in the difficult conditions like in summer, to support wild and domestic animals. The majority of species flowered in the hot season. The peak month for flowering was April, whereas fruting takes place round the year with some peak in May but, concentration of ripe and unripe fruits were common during monsoon.

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Anil Kumar Chhangani

Abstract

Plant phases and their phenological events in time and space were recorded in respect of leaf buds, young leaves and mature leaves. Out of 214 plant species found in Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS). 45 species were subjected to examination of leaf phenology between January 1997 to December 1997. Most of them are native species of Aravalli hills. The phenological scores of each species and their phytophases were examined. The phenology in KWS suggest that this forest produced enough leaves even in the difficult and dry conditions to support animals. In summer months (March to June) 18.0% young leaves were available with a peak (25.99%) in May. Mature leaves were also available throughout monsoon and winter (except February) with a peak in September. In this area 65% of 45 species renew their leaves during cold weather, which flesh between March and July.

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Anil Kumar Chhangani

Abstract

During the study period from July, 2004 to July, 2008, a total of 5735 vultures of seven different species were recorded in different geographical regions of Rajasthan. This includes long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus), white-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) as residents and Himalayan griffon (Gyps hymalayansis), Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus) and Cinerarious vulture (Aegypius monachus) as winter migrants. Their presence near the carcass dumping grounds in villages, towns and cities is common. Cow carcasses were the main source of food (74%) followed by buffalos (12%), wild animal (8%) carcass (including chinkara, bluebull, black buck, chital and rabbits) and the remaining 6% are other livestock (which includes camel, goat, sheep, donkey, horses, dogs and pigs) at different feeding sites (n=138).

Keywords

Resident Vulture, Feeding Ecology, Gyps Indicus, Gyps Bengalensis, Gyps Fulvus, GypS Hymalayansis

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Anil Kumar Chhangani , Paul Robbins , S. M. Mohnot

Abstract

Populations and diversity of major species of concern in the park has provided somewhat robust. Several species, especially antelope, chinkara and sambhar are at critical risk. Maintenance of biodiversity at the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is made difficult by a range of forces, including forest degradation, grazing, road accidents, forest fire and diseases. Considering these numerous pressures, influences and challenges, the major predator species, continue to exist. Some species, like langur and nilgai are thriving. These conclusions suggest that new management plans for the sanctuary be formed with specific attention to both ameliorating the impacts on the most vulnerable species, but also to capitalizing upon the relative success in protecting and maintaining other species of concern in recent decades. These efforts should be coupled with a more rigorous scientific agenda that can better untangle the relative influence of threats presented by ecogenic forces relative to anthropogenic ones (e.g. tree-cutting). Future research must also attend to the biocomplex influences of forces like fire and grazing, which have both positive and negative effects on faunal biodiversity. Kumbhalgarh represents a heavily impacted natural area, but it is one that might yet provide a model for conservation in India more generally through reform in both management and research.

Keywords

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary(KWS), Conservation, Management, Threats, Wild Taxa

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Jonathan C. Hall ¹, Anil Kumar Chhangani ², Timothy A. Warner ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geography, West Virginia University, Brooks Hall, 98 Beechurst Ave., Morgantown, WV 26506, US
2 Department of Environmental Studies, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Academic Block, N.H. 15, Jaisalmer Road, Bikaner-334004, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

Vultures in India have experienced catastrophic declines over the past fifteen years. The cause of declines is well studied, but fundamental knowledge of vulture ecology within the context of India's human-dominated landscape is lacking. Here we report on landscape-level habitat associations of 54 nests of Indian vultures (Gyps indicus) across Rajasthan, India. Our data show that on average, vulture nests were 4.4 km from a water source (range: 0 -25km) and 1.3 km from human settlement (range: 0 -11km). The majority of Indian vulture nest sites we observed were in trees, an apparently atypical nest substrate for this species. Drivers of Indian vulture nest site selection are currently unknown yet understanding them is likely key for the success of vulture conservation, particularly the reintroduction of captive bred populations. This study provides the first observational data on Indian vulture nest sites from which causal hypotheses can be generated and tested.

Keywords

Indian Vulture, Human-Dominated Landscape, Rajasthan, Spatial Characteristics, Nest Site.

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