Showing 10 results for Bhatt
Kopila Kafle, Dol Raj Thanet, Prabin Poudel, Deepak Gautam, Goma Thapa, Pradeep Bhatt,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (6-2020)
Abstract
Wildlife corridors connect isolated patches of habitat and support the movement of migratory species from one site to another. Human disturbances cause forest degradation and habitat fragmentation adding to the high risk of species extinction. We laid out 44 grids of 2 km × 2 km in Laljhadi Mohana Biological Corridor (LMBC). In each grid, we generated line transects ranging from 1.5 to 2 km and a systematic line transect survey was carried out with single replication to assess the distribution and relative abundance of large mammals. GPS coordinates were recorded for each direct sighting or indirect sign. Similarly, a local household survey (n=40) and key informant interviews (n=9) were conducted to explore the local perception about existing problems, major conflicting species habitat components, conservation threats and attitude towards the large mammals. A workshop was also held to discuss information about the conflicting species, possible solutions, and the ranking of threats based on a relative ranking system. A total of 51 individuals belonging to six species of large mammals were found in LMBC. Distribution was primarily confined to the south of the corridor, and the relative abundance, in descending order, is the Blue bull (29.4%), Asian elephant (25.5%), Spotted deer (21.5%), Wild boar (15.7%), Common leopard (5.9%) and Bengal tiger (2%). Major conservation threats were forest encroachment and habitat fragmentation (Very High), followed by grazing and forest product consumption (High), natural disaster (Medium) and illegal poaching, infrastructure construction, and invasive species (Low). The LMBC was found to support six large mammals, where mostly Asian elephants and Blue bull are using it for migration.
Aklesh Kumar Sah, Bivek Gautam, Santosh Bhattarai,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (6-2020)
Abstract
The distribution of Cantor's Kukri Snake Oligodon cyclurus has been poorly documented in its geographic range from Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. We provide confirmed locality records with notes on some aspects of natural history information for O. cyclurus. Although the species is designated as Least Concern according to IUCN Red list of Threatened Species, the species is facing multiple threats like roadkills and vindictive killing. We suggest a more detailed inventory to better understand its biology, distribution patterns, population status and molecular identity to aid in a more comprehensive global conservation action.
Bivek Gautam, Santosh Bhattarai,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (9-2020)
Abstract
We present a natural history account of the first record of probable predation on the Indian bull frog, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus by the Asian House Shrew, Suncus murinus from Morang district, Nepal. The present communication provides an example of a nearly equal-sized predator-prey interaction in a natural ecosystem and provides interesting information on the natural history of these taxa.
Bivek Gautam, Santosh Bhattarai,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (9-2020)
Abstract
The dietary habits of tadpoles of the Nepalese anurans have not been well studied. Here, we present an opportunistic observation of tadpoles of the Terai tree frog, Polypedates teraiensis feeding on rotten pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). We suggest further detailed study on the feeding habits of tadpoles in the changing climate in Nepal as they could be used as model organisms to understand their trophic roles and to predict the ecological consequences of their potential loss.
Santosh Bhattarai, Babu Ram Lamichhane, Naresh Subedi,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract
Abnormalities in reptiles have been mostly reported from captive individuals. Here, we report a case of unilateral anophthalmy in the Burmese python Python bivittatus for the first time from Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Reptiles exposed to various pollutants, such as pesticides, can develop morphological abnormalities. The present report from a human-dominated landscape is an opportunistic observation of a rescued snake. We suggest a more systematic, collection-based, research program to reveal the possible causative agents and the degree of their effect on herpetofauna in Nepal.
Debayan Gayen, Paromit Chatterjee, Tapajit Bhattacharya,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (9-2021)
Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine the diversity of mammalian species from a peri-urban coal mining region of West Bengal for almost three years from September 2017 to August 2020. The survey was done on the basis of direct sightings, extensive searches, detection and identification of indirect mammalian signs such as pug marks and droppings, opportunistic sightings and road-kill incidents. Secondary information from previous literature and information from local people, citizen scientists and Forest Department were also included in the study. A total of 20 mammals belonging to 9 orders, 15 families and 20 genera were observed from 31 locations during the present study and 6 species belonging to two orders, three families and four genera which were previously reported from the present study location but not observed during this study were also included in the list. Two endangered species, Asian Elephant Elephas maximus and Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata, were observed from the present study location within the study period. Based on the habitat types, the maximum number of species was observed from the Human Habitation (HH) areas whereas the least number of species was noted from the Riverside Zones (RS). Proportion of the different habitat types for each mammalian species found in the present study and also obtained from literature depicted that Asian House Shrew Suncus murinus, Asian Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennant and Indian Pygmy Pipistrelle Pipistrellus mimus were among the most abundant mammals in the study area. Golden Jackal Canis aureus was observed from a wide variety of habitat types whereas the two varieties of civets were only observed from the riverside areas. Principle Component Analysis between species and habitat type indicated that the Bengal Fox Vulpes bengalensis and the Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis were only associated with the grasslands. The Hanuman Langur Semnopithecus entellus and other small rodent species were generally found in the human habitation areas. Various threats like habitat destruction, habitat degradation and hunting posed the major problems in the present study location.
K. Deepak Singh, Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (9-2021)
Abstract
Jakhor Taal is an ox-bow perennial lake, situated in Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city in Kailali district, Nepal. The present study focuses on the factors determining fish diversity, socio-economic status of fishing communities and conservation challenges of Jakhor Taal. Fish sampling was done by gill net, cast net and other local fishing techniques such as Helka and Tiyari nets and Dhadiya trap. A total of 24 fish species (8 exotic and 16 native) were recorded belonging to 7 orders, 14 families and 22 genera. The order Cypriniformes was found to be highest, obtaining 41.66% of the total fish species recorded and 65.38% of total fish caught during the study period (February 2019 - August 2019) followed by Siluriformes (20.33%) and Perciformes (16.67%), respectively. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index was found highest (2.93) in winter (February) and lowest (2.76) in summer (July). Similarly, the Simpson and Evenness values were also found slightly higher during winter (February) in comparison to summer (July). The Shannon-Weiner diversity index was found highest (2.73) at station II in comparison to station I, III, and IV where it was 2.31, 2.09, and 2.04, respectively. Results from the Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the environmental variables such as water temperature, depth and dissolved oxygen were found to be highly significant to most of the fish species at different stations and months. However, pH and free CO2 was not shown to have any relationship or significance. Altogether, 22 clusters were formed in which exotic species show highly significant clustering in comparison to native species. The socio-economic status of the local fishing communities is below the poverty line and the lake and its fishing resources play vital roles in their diet and income source. In the context of conservation challenges and implications, this lake is highly neglected by both governmental and local communities and this negatively affects its natural properties through habitat destruction, illegal fishing, urbanization, invasive species, and a general lack of awareness.
Rishi Baral, Yadav Ghimirey, Basudev Neupane, Baburam Lamichhane, Santosh Bhattarai, Karan Bahadur Shah,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Four specimens of the Large-toothed Ferret Badger Melogale personata I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire were found at separate sites in Marshyangdi Rural Municipality, Ward No 4, Srichaur, Tangring, Lamjung district, Nepal. The first individual was captured alive by local people on 4th January 2017 and the second was found dead on 17th January 2017. The third alive and fourth road-killed specimens of M. personata were photographed from Marshyangdi Rural Municipality, on 9th July 2020, 26th November 2021, respectively.
The species was recorded at the border region of the Annapurna Conservation Area, approximately 203 km from Kathmandu in a tropical forest alongside the Marshyangdi River. The specimens were examined carefully and identified on a morphological basis. The present account represents the first authentic record of M. personata in the Annapurna Conservation Area, moreover also for Nepal.
Paromit Chatterjee, Kamalika Bhattacharyya, Silanjan Bhattacharyya,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
We present the first confirmed report of the Long-snouted Bhutan Squirrel Dremomys lokriah bhotia from the state of West Bengal, India. Previously the subspecies was known from limited localities of East Sikkim (India) and Bhutan. This article, thus, adds to the global knowledge of the subspecies with a note on its habitat and activity pattern, along with new details on it’s current global distribution.
Ashish Subedi, Rajeev Joshi, Santosh Ghimire, Sewak Bhatta, Kripa Pokhrel,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (10-2023)
Abstract
The wild water buffalo-WWB (Bubalus arnee) holds a significant ecological role within Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. Despite its importance, there has been a lack of comprehensive research addressing its distribution, habitat suitability, and interaction with domestic cattle. To address these gaps, this study was undertaken with the primary objectives of elucidating the population distribution of B. arnee within the reserve, mapping its habitat suitability, and evaluating the interplay between B. arnee and domestic cattle in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. The study area was subdivided into cells to gather data on B. arnee presence using various indicators such as sightings, dung, and footprints. Interaction between B. arnee and domestic cattle was assessed based on their spatial overlap within and outside a 500-meter radius from observation points. Employing the MaxEnt algorithm, distribution data of B. arnee and climatic variables including maximum and minimum temperatures, mean temperature, and rainfall were analyzed, while land use and cover maps were acquired from the Department of Survey for further analysis. Results revealed a concentration of B. arnee in the southwest region of the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, with a total of 405 individuals recorded, comprising 26 calves, 6 sub-adults, and 373 adults. The distribution pattern displayed a prevalence of small-sized herds (1–15 individuals) followed by medium-sized (15–29 individuals) and large-sized (29+ individuals) herds. Notably, B. arnee presence was most prominent in grassland areas (approximately 49% of observations), while forested regions accounted for the lowest presence (approximately 10% of observations). Interestingly, domestic buffalo were observed near B. arnee only in a single cell in the southwest section of the study area, while in the eastern cells of the reserve, overlaps between domestic cows and B. arnee occurred within a 500-meter radius. Our study indicated a suitability index greater than or equal to 0.5876, encompassing only about 14% of the reserve's total area. The jackknife test highlighted the influential environmental variables in the model, with annual precipitation contributing around 60.8% and the maximum temperature of the warmest month contributing about 39.20% in determining the distribution of B. arnee. The results underscored the significance of annual precipitation, with a regularized training gain of 0.50, compared to 0.32 for the maximum temperature of the warmest month. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the distribution, habitat suitability, and interaction dynamics of B. arnee within the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, offering valuable insights for informed wildlife management and conservation strategies.
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