Search

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus Gmelin) is a fish-eating specialist crocodylian, endemic to south Asia, and critically endangered in its few remaining wild localities. A secondary gharial population resides in riverine-reservoir habitat adjacent to the Nepal border, within the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS), and nests along a 10 km riverbank of the Girwa River. A natural channel shift in the mainstream Karnali River (upstream in Nepal) has reduced seasonal flow in the Girwa stretch where gharials nest, coincident with a gradual loss of nest sites, which in turn was related to an overall shift to woody vegetation at these sites. To understand how these changes in riparian vegetation on riverbanks were related to gharial nesting, we sampled vegetation at these sites from 2017 to 2019, and derived an Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) from LANDSAT 8 satellite data to quantify riverside vegetation from 1988 through 2019. We found that sampled sites transitioned to woody cover, the number of nesting sites declined, and the number of nests were reduced by > 40%. At these sites, after the channel shift, woody vegetation replaced open sites that predominated prior to the channel shift. Our findings indicate that the lack of open riverbanks and the increase in woody vegetation at potential nesting sites threatens the reproductive success of the KWS gharial population. This population persists today in a regulated river ecosystem, and nests in an altered riparian habitat which appears to be increasingly unsuitable for the continued successful recruitment of breeding adults. This second-ranking, critically endangered remnant population may have incurred an "extinction debt" by living in a reservoir that will lead to its eventual extirpation.

Microsatellite DNA is among the several molecular tools used for determining genetic variability and inbreeding depression in threatened populations. It has been used extensively for population genetics studies in conservation of crocodilians. Even though single nucleotide polymorphisms have higher precision compared to microsatellite DNA markers, microsatellites offer a cost advantage which is particularly important to researchers in the global south. Here, we review the role of microsatellite DNA as a conservation tool in crocodilians. Employing appropriate keywords in three online databases, we studied 78 publications, where microsatellite DNA had been used to study crocodilian species. We found that 504 species-specific markers were designed for 13, out of a total of 24 crocodilian taxa. Genus Crocodylus had the highest number of species-specific markers and was the most studied taxa using microsatellites. Moreover, microsatellite markers developed for C. porosus were successful in cross amplification of microsatellite markers in 19 other crocodilian species. Microsatellite based studies had highest focus on analyses of multiple populations of a single species. Based on our review of microsatellite based studies on populations of crocodilian species, we recommend that microsatellite DNA markers are an effective conservation tool that can provide critical information on population structures of threatened crocodilian species.

Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a critically endangered fresh water crocodile endemic to the Indian subcontinent. The species has suffered > 95% decline in population and habitat size. A small population of gharials comprising of 50 breeding adults is resident in a 20 Km stretch of the River Girwa in Katerniaghat wildlife sanctuary, India. Gharials in this 20 Km stretch have been genetically isolated since 1976 by a barrage that functions as a barrier to gene flow. A captive rear and release program has been initiated since 1979 under Project Crocodile for restocking declining wild gharial populations. Thousands of gharial eggs were collected from gharial populations at Girwa and Chambal Rivers. Hatchlings from the collected eggs were captive reared at a common location in Kukrail Gharial Centre, India and released back to multiple gharial populations including the isolated population at Girwa. This restocking programme was not preceded by a genetic screening of captive animals or wild populations to identify genetic diversity and genetic structure of both captive and wild animals. In this study we investigate whether release of captive reared gharials into the resident population at Girwa River has prevented genetic isolation caused due to barriers imposed by the barrage. Using a combination of empirical analysis using microsatellite markers and a systematic review of data from previous workers on molecular characterization of gharial populations, we analysed genetic differentiation in gharial populations at Girwa and Chambal. We found similar genetic variability in gharial populations of Girwa and Chambal. There was low inter population genetic differentiation and evidences of genetic migration between the two populations. Our findings indicate that anthropogenic intervention via release of captive animals has compensated for the genetic isolation in Girwa population caused by the barrage.

A free-ranging juvenile Himalayan Griffon Vulture from the Haldwani forest range division, Nainital, Uttarakhand, on detailed inspection, showed dullness, weakness, emaciation, ruffled feathers, droopy head, and watery whitish diarrhoea. It was unable to bear its own weight on both the legs. The bird died later and the post mortem revealed haemorrhagic intestinal tract. Based on the findings and microscopical examination it was confirmed as intestinal coccidiosis.

Relation between elephant and man in India is ancient; no other animal had such a close association with the human. Pre mature elephant deaths by train collision, electrocution and drowning were common nowadays and painful disturbances in elephant population due to conflict have been described more from time to time in the outlying areas of all over India and in Uttarakhand apart from poisoning, gunfire, forest fire, diseases etc. This research paper communicates in detail cases of elephant conflict death, its root cause and its preventive actions.

Adult male non-descript bred dog presented with a history of circling motion, frequent head nodding, crusty muzzle, muscle twitching, seizure, vomiting, inappetence, coughing, inability to walk, watery pustular discharge from eyes and blood stained left ears and on further examination of foot pads showed thick, crusty or hardened sole and based on the clinical signs and symptoms, provisionally diagnosed as Canine distemper and advised euthanasia due to close geographic onset of the disease epidemic and to prevent Canine distemper-associated deaths in wild canids and felids.

Forests are one of the major sources of livelihood that need to be conserved. In India, there have been continuous efforts to evolve a scientific basis for sustainable management of forests. In recent century, this has primarily been addressed through ``forest management plans,'' also known as ``working plans.'' To make the plans uniform for each of the forest management units, guidelines have been issued by Government of India in the name of ``working plan code,'' which are revised periodically to match present days' requirement. A working plan largely deals with the present state of the forest, outcomes of past management, and proposal of future management on a scientific basis. With a significant lapse of time, the role of forests has been recognized beyond mere supply of timber (a major resource) to fulfilling the demands of minor resources and ecological services. This has transformed the basis of forest management and the working plans. With reference to India, we discuss the relevance of working plan for sustainable management of forests; highlights of the most recent working plan code (2014); relevance of the code with reference to climate change and biodiversity, future perspectives, and recommendations for better management of the forests.

Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena is a large carnivorous mammal found in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and India. Though the mammal is largely distributed across the globe, it is listed under the Near Threatened category by IUCN Red List. Uttarakhand is one of the states in India that is highly rich in biodiversity. The last reported evidence of the Striped Hyena in Ramnagar Division, Uttarakhand, was in a working plan in 1977. All India tiger estimations through camera traps conducted in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 failed to record the species in the area. The current study conducted in March–December 2015 utilized opportunistic sampling methods to confirm the presence of hyenas in Ramnagar Forest Division of Uttarakhand. The study presents photographic evidence of the Striped Hyena in the area.

This paper examines the economic value of selected ecosystem services of Corbett Tiger Reserve, India. The direct cost was derived from secondary sources, and indirect and opportunity costs through socioeconomic surveys. For recreational value the individual approach to travel cost method was used, and to assess carbon sequestration the replacement cost method was used. The maintenance cost of the reserve was estimated as US $2,153,174.3 year−1. The indirect costs in terms of crop and livestock depredation by wild animals ranged from US $2,408 to US $37,958 village−1 over a period of 5 years. The dependence of local communities was for fuel wood (US $7,346 day−1), fodder (US $5,290 day−1), small timber, and other nontimber forest products. The recreational value of the reserve was estimated as US $167,619 year−1. With the cost per visitor being US $2.5, the consumers’ surplus was large, showing the willingness of visitors to pay for wildlife recreation. The forests of the reserve mitigate carbon worth US $63.6 million, with an annual flow of US $65.0 ha−1 year−1. The other benefits of the reserve include US $41 million through generation of electricity since 1972. The analysis reveals that, though the benefits outweigh costs, they need to be accrued to local communities so as to balance the distribution of benefits and costs.