T. Bhattacharya , S. Sathyakumar

Abstract

The Chenab Valley in Urgam Reserve Forest of Chamoli District (Uttarakhand), was surveyed during March-April 2005, to estimate abundance and record observations on the group sizes, sex ratios, and habitat utilization patterns of Himalayan tahr and Goral. Encounter rate for tahr was 7.57 ± 1.17/hr scan and for goral, it was 0.47 ± 0.19 /km. Mean group size of Himalayan tahr (n=34), was 7.88±5.07 and for goral (n=21), it was 2.71±1.90. Himalayan tahr largely used the 2,500-3,500m altitude range, eastern and southern aspects, and steep slope categories. Goral mostly used the 2,000-2,500m altitude range, eastern and southern aspects, and moderate to steep slopes. Habitat utilization patterns of tahr and Goral show clear ecological separation between the two species. As Chenab Valley is located between the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, it has significance and potential for conservation of Himalayan tahr, goral and other large mammals as this area lies outside the Protected Area network, but offers habitat contiguity and consequently movement of animal populations.

Keywords

Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), Goral (Nemorhaedus goral), Abundance,
Group Sizes, Habitat Use Patterns Chenab Valley, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

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B. Chattopadhya , T. Bhattacharya

Abstract

The paper presents a study on the population dynamics of blackbuck Antilope ceruicapra in Ballavpur wildlife sanctuary W.B., during the last 15 years (1967-1981). The population seems to be in a steady state, if not declining. The population density is high but male/female ratio is significantly low. Role of different environmental constraints were discussed Blackbucks in this sanctuary give birth to fawns throughout the year, with two peaks one during March-April and another during October - December.

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