Naim Akhtar , N. P. S. Chauhan

Abstract

Asiatic jackal (Canis aureus) is found to coexist with leopard and sloth bear in Marwahi Forest Division, Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh). Jackals were found to be omnivorous in this area; they consumed plant material, seeds and fruits. Jackals are creating considerable nuisance due to increasing biting cases to local people in Marwahi Forest Division. In total there were 220 cases of jackal attacks on people during 1998-2005. In Marwahi range, there were 181 cases of jackal attacks, whereas there were 12 and 27 cases of attacks in Gaurela and Pendra ranges respectively. Attacks on males (n=160) were more than females (n=60). No human death occurred so far due to jackal attack but rabies infection might be possible. Most of the jackal biting cases occurred in villages, followed by forests and crop fields. Marwahi range with less forest cover was found most affected (n=181) from jackal attacks. Occurrence of attack cases could be correlated with high jackal activity in human habitations for food requirement and movement of people in forest areas for collection of non-timber forest produce and grazing livestock. Recommendations for management of jackal population and mitigation of humanjackal conflict have been made.

Keywords

Human-Jackal Interaction, Canis aureus, Food Habits, Marwahi Forest Division,
Chhattisgarh

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N. P. S. Chauhan , Lalthanpuia

Abstract

Sun bear is the least known bear species and one of the most neglected large mammals in India. No information is available on its status, distribution, ecology and population threats from India. The surveys were conducted in the North-eastern region during 2002-2008 and information on status and distribution of Sun bear was collected in well designed questionnaire formats. In Arunachal Pradesh, direct and indirect evidences of Sun bear confirmed its presence in Namdapha Tiger Reserve and Murlen National Park and probability of its occurrence is shown in few protected areas. They are also present in Fakim WLS and Intanki WLS in Nagaland. In Mizoram, Sun bears occur in many protected areas including Dampa Tiger Reserve. Presence of Sun bears has been confirmed in the Chandel and Ukhrul districts of Manipur, but it showed patchy distribution. The paper presents its legal status and discusses conservation problems like population threats, habitat threats and human-bear interactions. Recommendations for conservation and management of Sun bear have also been made.

Keywords

Malayan Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus), Status And Distribution, North-eastern
States, India

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Naim Akhtar , N. P. S. Chauhan

Abstract

Marwahi Forest Division is well known for human-sloth bear conflict. Available forest cover is highly degraded, fragmented and interspersed with agricultural crop fields, and small townships. Data since 1990 onwards reveal 28 cases of human death by wild animals, comprising of 13 men and 15 women. Except 2, all casualties were caused by sloth bear. 801 incidences of human mauling comprised of 591 men and 210 women were registered by Forest Department. A maximum of 528 incidences of mauling were caused by sloth bear followed by 220 and 53 by jackals and other wild animals respectively. Range of incidences per month varied from 51-93 with a mean 66.8 ± 14.8. In Marwahi range 72.5% incidences of human mauling occurred in village area followed by 18.5% and 9.0% in forest and house respectively. Altogether 1453 incidences of livestock lifting were recorded in Marwahi forest division. No major changes were observed in extent of biotic pressure. However, extraction of stones from bear den sites has increased considerably. People need to be educated and made aware of ecology, feeding habits, movement and behaviour of problematic animals such as sloth bear, jackal, hyena and leopard through seminars and workshop so that people can avoid confrontation and play an active role in conservation. Livestock should be properly protected by villagers in enclosures made up of rubble wall. Sloth bear population has declined by 40% during last six years so there is a need to monitor the status of sloth bear population in the area.

Keywords

Human-wildlife Conflict, Mitigation Strategies, Sloth Bear, Marwahi Forest Division,
Chhattisgarh

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N. P. S. Chauhan

Abstract

The Dudhwa National Park has had a long-standing problem of cattle lifting by tigers. The available tiger habitats are embedded in a matrix of human altered landscape, the humantiger interface is of serious concern, especially in the context of livestock depredation. This has led to a strong resentment among people who show increased apathy and antagonism towards tiger conservation. The paper focuses on the pattern of livestock depredation in and around the Dudhwa National Park and suggests mitigation strategies.

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N. P. S. Chauhan

Abstract

The Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary has had a long-standing problem of human casualties by tigers. Tiger mostly survives in small numbers in protected areas which are isolated due to habitat fragmentation and disturbances. The Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is situated between 28°24'N N latitude and 81°19'E longitude in the Nanpara tehsil of Bahraich District. The problem of human-tiger conflict in and around the Katerniaghat WLS and mitigation strategies are presented in this paper. Standard questionnaire formats were developed to collect information on human-tiger conflict from the field managers and affected people. In and around the Katerniaghat WLS, 114 cases of human casualties by tiger were reported during 1984-2001. Male casualties were more than the females. There was marked monthly variation in the occurrence of human casualties. Among 114 cases, 15, 11 and 14 casualties occurred in the age group of 25-30 years, 13-18 years and 31-36 years respectively. Highest number of 12 human casualties occurred between 1601-2000 hours. Maximum 23 cases were paid compensation between 12-15 months. Recommendations include greater vigilance, ameliorative measures for protection and habitat improvement, restoration of prey base, restriction on livestock grazing in TRs, cattle should be attended by graziers, compensation for losses needs to settled promptly, man-eaters should be captured and kept in zoos or destroyed, and public education and awareness.

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N. P. S. Chauhan , Sushant Chowdhury

Abstract

An evaluation of 49 existing power fences in Northern Bengal that have been established from 1982 to 1997 to keep elephants out from the plantation, human habitations in various ranges and tea gardens and crop fields, was carried out. Fences varied from single strand to 6 strands but majority were in the category of 2-3 strands. There was a general flaw of speciesspecific design for elephants in terms of energizing the surroundings of the fence posts, which exposed them for their vulnerability to upischolar_maining or pushing over. Corroding GI wires and improper insulation materials were the reasons for power loss varying from 0.5-7.3 kV between source to the end. In 18% cases (n=9) poor battery maintenance was the reason for low power output to shock the elephants. The energizer output at negative and positive terminals varied from 1.6-9.6 kV and 1.2-8.5 kV respectively. The leaking at earthing points varied from 0-1.9 kV, which is quite substantial. The technical and maintenance problems were invariably acute in nearly all fences, yet 26% were effective in output terms. The authors recommend initiation of stakeholder participation for installation and maintenance of fences, as large number of poorly maintained fences could be sources of learning for elephants to breach the fence line repeatedly. Important recommendations for design, maintenance and periodic training need to front line staff and stakeholders are suggested.

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N. P. S. Chauhan

Abstract

No abstract

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N. P. S. Chauhan , V. B. Sawarkar

Abstract

Wildlife damage problems are as old as man, but have come into focus as a management issue for reasons of some species adapting themselves to the changing environs and thriving in the man altered habitats. Consequently, there is a clash with interests of local people. Crop raiding by locally over-abundant wild herbivores is one such problem. The paper analyses the crop raiding problem by nilgai in Haryana and by blackbuck in the Karera G.I.B. Sanctuary, M.P. and seeks to offer management strategies to minimize the problem.

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Janmejay Sethy , N. P. S. Chauhan

Abstract

A survey on birds was carried out from March 2007 to August 2007. The birds were observed during most active period of the day i.e. 0515 to 0830 hrs and 1530 to 1830 hrs. A total of 200 bird species were recorded in the sanctuary. The frequency of sightings of 62 bird species was very high. Out of total, 105 species were seen quite regularly and 35 birds were seen intermittently. Previous study of birds conducted during 2003 showed presence of 157 species in this sanctuary. The majority of species were recorded in mixed forest (n=145), followed by teak plantation (n=38) and rest from road side and open forest. Ninety one bird species (45.5%) species were resident breeding birds, including the Bengal florican and Swamp francolin. Another 31 (15.5%) were resident, but their breeding in Katerniaghat has not been confirmed. Winter migrants constituted at least 50 (25%) of the total species. The majority of these were waterfowl and also several species of leaf warblers (Phylloscopus spp.). Five (2.5%) species were summer migrants, showed local movement. Three species (1.5%), namely, the black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), blue rock thrush (Monticola solitaries) and blue whistling thrush (Myophonus caeruleus) were transient in this area. The status of about 20 species (10%) could not be ascertained.

Keywords

Katernighat, Birds, Forest Types

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Janmejay Sethy , N. P. S. Chauhan

Abstract

no abstract

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N. P. S. Chauhan , Janmejay Sethy

Abstract

A survey in the Manipur state, India was carried out to study the humau-Malayau sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) conflict during 2007-2008. Information on humau casualties was collected by conducting informal interview of the tribal people in raudomly selected villages in Chaudel aud Ukhrul districts. In total, there were 98 humau injury cases by sun bear during 1995-2008. Males were attacked more (87.75%) thau females (12.24%). Injuries were caused to face, nose, eyes, neck, haud aud legs. Bear attacks were recorded in all the seasons, but maximum cases occurred during autumn aud winter months. During March, April, November aud December, 7.14 %, 15.30 %, 19.38 % aud 18.36 % casualties respectively occurred. Out of 98 cases, victims were mainly in the age group of 21-30 years (35.29 %), followed by 31-40 years (35.29 %), aud 41-50 years (22.35 %). Bear accounted for only 1.17 %, 3.52 % aud 2.35 % cases in the age group of 10-20 years, 51-60 years aud 61-70 years respectively. Information on sun bear attacks on humau beings aud circumstances are presented aud discussed. Maximum cases i.e. 63 (66.3 %) occurred in forests, followed by 17 (17.34 %) cases in crop fields aud 18 (18.36 %) cases in the vicinity of villages.

Keywords

Malayau Sun Bear, Helarctos Malayanus, Conflicts, Human Casualties, Crop Depredation,
Conservation, Mauagement, Mitigation.

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H. S. Bargali , Naim Akhtar , N. P. S. Chauhan

Abstract

The practical way of identifying potential habitat of a species is to have a thorough examination of land use patterns (e.g. natural forests, plantations, water bodies, road network, human habitations, etc.) in an area from the remotelysensed data. The framework of a species habitat suitable model also envisage to ascertain features such as compact forest blocks especially those along the courses of the least fragmentation, smallest stretches of discontinuity and of the adjacent poorly covered forests communicating with the large blocks for gene flow and terrain, availability of forage and water in such areas specifically, during dry season and its distance from the human habitations with a view to ascertain its amenability to revival besides least biotic interferences. We, therefore, incorporated all such variables into our habitat suitability model for sloth bear (Melursus ursinus). A statistically desirable proportion of sloth bear geographic locations based on direct sightings during the course of study were randomly selected and were laid over the spatial layers so as to generate potential available habitat for sloth in North Bilaspur Forest Division. Logistic regression model was used to develop the probability distribution map.

Keywords

Sloth Bear, Habitat Model, North Bilaspur, Remote-sensing and Geographical Information System

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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

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