Showing 8 results for Gautam
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.
Gauri Joshi, Bijaya Neupane, Deepa Dahal, Sami Shrestha, Prakash Dhakal, Catherine Mhae B. Jandug, Deepak Gautam,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (9-2020)
Abstract
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is on an increasing trend and has become one of the most challenging problems for the rural communities of developing nations like Nepal. There is limited information available on HWC in Kailali district, Nepal. The objective of our study was to explore the different incidents and the perceptions of local people on HWC within four different sites in Kailali district. To collect information three different methods were used, a questionnaire survey (n= 80), key informant interviews (n= 10) and focus group discussions (n= 4); all during February and March 2018. Different records of HWC incidents were collected that occurred during the period of one year in 2017, except for information on human attacks which were collected from 2015 to 2017. Of the total of 102 HWC incidents, crop damage was the most severe problem followed by property damage (15) and livestock depredation (9). The Asian elephant (n= 54) was the most conflicting species for crop damage, followed by the Rhesus macaque (n= 23) and the wild pig (n= 14). Similarly, property damage was mostly caused by elephants (n= 10) and other animals (n= 5). Rice (43%) was the most damaged crop type by the conflicting species, followed by wheat (28%) and then maize (9%). For property damage, 19% of respondents reported suffering house damage while 11% suffered damage to stored food. Shouting and hitting drums was the most applied measure during HWC’s but other measures for human-wild animals co-existence and resolution are suggested.
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.
Sachin Timilsina, Rama Mishra, Amit Adhikari, Subash Gautam, Bijaya Neupane,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (6-2021)
Abstract
The Fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrinus is a medium-sized, wild felid, native to south and Southeast Asia. The global status of the species has been assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and it is further listed as ‘Endangered’ in Nepal. Knowledge on the species is limited due to scarce research studies, resulting in a lack of ecological information. A few conservation programs for the species have been initiated in the past but current concern is that conservation programs may not be sufficient for the long-term survival of the species in Nepal. Therefore, we reviewed the available published scientific literature and anecdotal reports relating to the Fishing cats in Nepal, and used this data to assess current population status, distribution, threats and conservation efforts for the species. We screened and selected 49 scientific papers and reports related to Fishing cats for the current study and analyzed them to produce our findings. Our results found that fishing cats are recorded from five protected areas, and three non-protected wetland areas, within the Terai region of Southern Nepal. Two publications are found that substantiate the population status of the species in the country. In Protected Areas of Nepal, most of the Fishing cat records were accessed through camera trap surveys targeting large cat species. Fishing cats have been facing extinction threats mainly due to poaching, human over-exploitation of local fish stocks, retaliatory killing, wetland shrinkage and conversion, pollution and other conflicts with humans. We believe our review will be a useful guide for conservationists, managers and wildlife researchers to promote the conservation of this charismatic and threatened species in Nepal.
Mahamad Sayab Miya, Deepak Gautam, Bijaya Neupane, Apeksha Chhetri,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (9-2021)
Abstract
Odonata are one of the most ancient, well studied and fascinating insect orders considered as bio-indicators of aquatic ecosystems. Studies on Odonata have been carried out in many parts of Nepal, but no specific study has been performed in Tanahun. Hence, a study was conducted to determine the species diversity and abundance of Odonata in the Sishaghat of Tanahun district, Nepal from June to August 2020. A transect survey method was used for data collection. A total of six transects (three in each habitat type: agricultural lands and forest streams), each with a length of 200 m were laid out randomly and each transect was surveyed three times. Data were pooled and analyzed with SPSS. A total of 629 individuals of 26 Odonata species from 20 genera and 7 families were recorded. The overall Shannon-Wiener diversity index was H= 2.25, Shannon Equitability was E= 0.69 and Margalefs’ richness index was R= 3.88. Sub-order Anisoptera was more diverse (H= 1.94) and more abundant (n= 545) than Zygoptera (H= 1.31, n= 84). However, species richness was higher and evenness lower in Zygoptera (R= 2.26, E= 0.55) than Anisoptera (R= 2.22, E= 0.72). Anisoptera comprised 15 species within 10 genera from two families and Zygoptera comprised 11 species within seven genera from five families. The family Libellulidae represented the highest species richness (R= 1.75). Neurothemis fulvia and Orthetrum pruinosum were the most abundant species (RA= 23.21 and 21.78 respectively). Of the recorded Odonata, 25 species are included under the least concern and one under the vulnerable category of the IUCN. A higher number of species was found in agricultural lands (nine species); hence, the water bodies around this habitat should be preserved to conserve the Odonata.
Shipra Khanduri, Vedagiri Thirumurugan, Chandravilasam Sreedharan Nair Vishnu, Chinnasamy Ramesh, Abhijit Das, Gautam Talukdar,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (12-2022)
Abstract
A comprehensive record of reptiles found in the Moyar River Valley Landscape (MRVL) is presented in this manuscript. The observations did not adhere to standardized survey methods, and are based on opportunistic encounters during our vegetation survey in different habitats of the MRVL between December 2017 and December 2019. A total of 135 live individuals and 31 road-killed specimens, representing 37 species of reptiles were recorded of which two species are Vulnerable, 13 are Least Concern and 22 species are Not Evaluated in accordance with the criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The recorded species belonged to six families of lizards (Agamidae, Chamaeleonidae, Gekkonidae, Lacertidae, Scincidae, and Varanidae), six families of snakes (Colubridae, Elapidae, Erycidae, Pythonidae, Typhlopidae, and Viperidae), two families of chelonians (Geoemydidae, and Testudinidae), and one family of Crocodylia (Crocodylidae,). The road-killed specimens were recorded between the year 2018 and 2020 and come under Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Though the present work did not follow a specific survey method, the contribution provides baseline information on the reptile diversity of the MRVL and presents interesting findings from the Sathyamangalam and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves in north-western Tamil Nadu, India.
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