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Wildlife Management

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Swamp Deer Conservation Reserve

On 14 August, 2005, Hon President of India, Prof APJ.Abdul Kalam declared Swamp deer Conservation Reseve, Jhilmil Jheel, Hardwar District, Uttaranchal, India and Asan Bird Conservation Reserve, Dist Charata, Uttaranchal State. Unique thing regarding these conservation reserve is the for the first time in the field of wildlife conservation in India such areas of potetial is going to be conservation reserves with the involvement of local people and conservation efforts will be made by the local people and thier participation. Local people have fully agreed to make these areas as conservation reserve with their full support.
As you know swamp deer in Uttaranchal was sighted on 1 Feb, 2005 by NIEPian Dr. Satya Sinha and Mr.S. Chadola . 

Posted by envindia on 08/18 at 03:29 PM
Natural Resource Management • Wildlife Management • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Monday, February 14, 2005

NIEP member sights Swamp Deer in Uttaranchal

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SIGHTING OF SWAMP DEER IN UTTARANCHAL

Swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli) is listed as an endangered by IUCNs Cervid Specialist Group. The species has dwindled in number from historical levels in last century to populations that are fragmented. One of the main reasons is the degradation of the habitat and loss of connectivity. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is the strong hold of Swamp deer with population of 1250+ (2004), which also include the population in Kishanpur Sanctuary. One small population of swamp deer is also reported in Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh which is under threat due to poaching, degradation of loss of habitat due to grazing pressure and removal of grasses. All the populations are below historical numbers and presumed carrying capacity.

Uttaranchal State which was created in 1999 is also facing problems in managing the grassland areas along the flood plains of Ganges. Due to number of anthropogenic pressures and developmental activities in the past and in recent years most of the grassland areas are vanishing and in some places do not exist any more.

Jhilmil Taal is a saucer shaped wetland situated on the right bank of River Ganges in Chidiyapur forest range in Haridwar district in Uttaranchal. Around Jhilmil Taal, nine huts of Gujjars (a pastoralist community) are situated along the forest belt and a village on the southern side. People are settled here since 50’s. Most of them are from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Garhwal. In the past there were no authentic data or information on the sighting of swamp deer in this area. The area is rich in faunal and floral diversity considering the presence of all the five species of deer, elephant, nilgai and tiger seen here with large number of resident and winter migratory birds. Due to grazing pressure and presence of Gujjar community organic matter flows directly into the Jhilmil Taal. It has been observed that nearly half of the Jhilmil Tall is infested by Typha and other unpalatable species. Fortunately Pharagmities karka is flowering in the half area of the Taal.

On 1st February 2005 Jhilmil Taal was visited to find out the possibilities of reintroduction of rhino in this area. While surveying the entire area with on foot and on the elephant back we found traces of hoof marks of swamp deer. Also heard a call of a stag from inside the tall grasses.  Finally from a newly built watch tower saw 34 Swamp deer inside an open patch of grassland along a water channel. Nine fully grown stag along with doe and first year fawn were seen. Swamp deer antlers were also collected from the area as evidence and for record. Again we went to the same area on 3rd Feruary, 2005 accompanied by Shri Vinod Rishi, Director, IGNFA, Dehra Dun and Dr.G.S.Rawat, Wildlife Institute of India and sighted 30 swamp deer. On 6 February, 2005, Hon Minister of Forest, Uttaranchal, Shri.Nav Prabhat also visited the area and is now considering declaring the area as Swamp Deer Conservation Reserve.

Fortunately the local villagers around Jhilmil Taal are vegetarian and do not take any hard drinks because they are followers of Sanatan dharma. During a meeting held by the Hon Minister of Forest, Uttaranchal with the local villagers they were all keen to move out of the area and get resettled in other area. Villagers also showed the area where they want to move. The proposal of relocation of the villagers of Jhilmil Taal is under consideration by the Government. After declaration of this area as Swamp deer conservation reserve it is going to be a strong hold of swamp deer in Uttaranchal.

Contributors:

Dr Satya Priya Sinha
Consultant, Rhino Programme in Uttaranchal & Project Coordinator, SOS Rhino Project in Dudhwa NP

&

Shri.Srikant Chandola, IFS
Chief Wildlife Warden
Uttaranchal Forest Department,

Posted by envindia on 02/14 at 02:55 PM
Natural Resource Management • Wildlife Management • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Bangladesh in India elephant plea

Elephants are terrorising villagers, Bangladesh says
Bangladesh has sought help from India to prevent wild elephants from entering into its territory.

Read the BBC News

Posted by envindia on 08/11 at 07:40 PM
Natural Resource Management • Wildlife Management • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink