Ecology of Faunal Communities on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Mound-nesting Nicobar megapodes are threatened due to their clumped distribution toward coastal a... more Mound-nesting Nicobar megapodes are threatened due to their clumped distribution toward coastal areas of Nicobar group of islands. Despite the obvious importance of habitat to these specialized birds, there have been no detailed studies on habitat preferences in this group. Hence, we have studied the habitat preference of the Nicobar megapode in the Great Nicobar Island based on the nesting and foraging site preferences between 1996 and 1998. Most of the mounds were distributed within 200 m from the high tide mark. Sandy and sandy-loam substrates and the microhabitats of Pandanus spp. mixed stands were highly preferred for mound construction. Microhabitats dominated with Pandanus, Macaranga, and Dracaena stands were highly used for breeding as well as foraging in both dry and wet seasons of the year. There was no change in the habitat selection of the Nicobar megapode between seasons (P > 0.488). Based on the findings, it is suggested that for the conservation and management of the Nicobar megapode in the Nicobar Islands, all coastal habitats which have sandy and sandy-loam substrates or species of Pandanus, Macaranga, and Dracaena (dominated habitats) will need to be taken into consideration.
... consideration for their inputs. First, I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. K. Sivakumar ... more ... consideration for their inputs. First, I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. K. Sivakumar and Prof. BC Choudhury for the ... source of joy. Other friends from back at home and senior from the msc especially Deep, Pranav, Mousumi and ...
This study on the impact of the 2004 tsunami on the Nicobar megapode Megapodius nicobariensis, en... more This study on the impact of the 2004 tsunami on the Nicobar megapode Megapodius nicobariensis, endemic coastal living bird species in the Nicobar group of islands showed a significant decline (nearly 70%) in the number of individuals when compared to before tsunami populations (Paired sample test, t=2.061, df=14, p<0.05). The tsunami has also adversely influenced the nest-site selection of the megapodes. The post tsunami impact on this species is also expected to be severe, pushing the species into the category of "critically endangered".
Ecology and Conservation of Tropical Marine Faunal Communities, 2013
Dugong (Dugong dugon) also called as ‘Sea Cow’ is one of the four surviving species in the Order ... more Dugong (Dugong dugon) also called as ‘Sea Cow’ is one of the four surviving species in the Order Sirenia and it is the only existing species of herbivorous mammal that lives exclusively in the sea including in India. Dugong is protected in India and occurs in Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, and Andaman and Nicobar islands . Dugong, once abundant in Indian water is now reduced to about 200 individuals and it is believed to be continuously declining in its number and range. Dugong conservation is nothing but coastal conservation being a flagship species in its range. In order to conserve and manage the declining populations of dugong in India, a ‘Task Force for Conservation of Dugong in India’ was constituted by the Government of India to formulate the conservation action plan for this species. India has the largest population of dugong in the South Asia Sub-region and therefore, it has a significant role to play in the dugong conservation at global level in general and in the South Asia Sub-region in specific. In this background this chapter is to look into the entire gamut of issues related to conservation of dugongs and facilitate to act as a leading nation in the South Asia Sub-region with respect to dugong conservation in the region.
As a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that mandates countries to prepare a n... more As a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that mandates countries to prepare a national biodiversity strategy and action plan for implementing the Convention at the national level, India developed a National Policy and Macro-level Action Strategy on Biodiversity in 1999. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Environment Policy (NEP) in 2006, a National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) was developed through a comprehensive inter-ministerial process in 2008. India’s NBAP is broadly aligned to the global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Using the Strategic Plan as a framework, India is among the select countries that have developed National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) in harmony with the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets. India’s 12 National Biodiversity Targets and the associated indicators and monitoring framework now form an Addendum to the NBAP 2008. This document together with the NBAP 2008 forms the blueprint for biodiversity conservation in the cou...
... local/dependent communities will benefit from the ecological services provided by ... Adoption... more ... local/dependent communities will benefit from the ecological services provided by ... Adoption ofecosystem management approach, with multidisciplinary team, is also required. ... considered for declaring 'Community/Conservation Reserves after thorough biodiversity assessment. ...
Present report is the documentation of shark attack on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, which was w... more Present report is the documentation of shark attack on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, which was washed ashore at Mithapur coast in Gujarat, India. The crescent shaped tooth impregnation on the deceased dolphin revealed it was attacked by shark. As the animal was injured only in seven places, perhaps, the attack was due to competitive interaction between shark and dolphin. Morphometric measurements and description of the wounds on the dolphin were recorded and documented. This is the first report of shark attack on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin from Gujarat coast.
Mahseer are popularly regarded by anglers as the king of freshwater fishes, and are valued across... more Mahseer are popularly regarded by anglers as the king of freshwater fishes, and are valued across the Himalayan and Southeast Asian regions. In India, mahseer are important game fish. Mahseer populations and their habitats face a range of anthropogenic threats, however, including unregulated fishing and habitat fragmentation as a result of hydro-development projects. Catch-and-release angling for mahseer attracts both national and international anglers and could provide information about rivers while generating revenue for regional economies. In this context, we evaluated catch-and-release angling records from rivers that flow within two Indian reserves (the Ramganga and Jia Bharali Rivers in Corbett and Nameri Tiger Reserves, respectively). Golden mahseer Tor putitora in the Ramganga and golden and chocolate mahseer Neolissochilus hexagono-lepis in the Jia Bharali were the most frequently caught fish species. Catch data suggested these game fish populations are probably not negatively affected by angling activities. Interviews with stakeholders highlighted support for catch-and-release angling, mainly because of its perceived economic benefits. The data obtained in this research could potentially assist with both fish conservation and the protection of associated aquatic ecosystems.
Ecology of Faunal Communities on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Mound-nesting Nicobar megapodes are threatened due to their clumped distribution toward coastal a... more Mound-nesting Nicobar megapodes are threatened due to their clumped distribution toward coastal areas of Nicobar group of islands. Despite the obvious importance of habitat to these specialized birds, there have been no detailed studies on habitat preferences in this group. Hence, we have studied the habitat preference of the Nicobar megapode in the Great Nicobar Island based on the nesting and foraging site preferences between 1996 and 1998. Most of the mounds were distributed within 200 m from the high tide mark. Sandy and sandy-loam substrates and the microhabitats of Pandanus spp. mixed stands were highly preferred for mound construction. Microhabitats dominated with Pandanus, Macaranga, and Dracaena stands were highly used for breeding as well as foraging in both dry and wet seasons of the year. There was no change in the habitat selection of the Nicobar megapode between seasons (P > 0.488). Based on the findings, it is suggested that for the conservation and management of the Nicobar megapode in the Nicobar Islands, all coastal habitats which have sandy and sandy-loam substrates or species of Pandanus, Macaranga, and Dracaena (dominated habitats) will need to be taken into consideration.
... consideration for their inputs. First, I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. K. Sivakumar ... more ... consideration for their inputs. First, I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. K. Sivakumar and Prof. BC Choudhury for the ... source of joy. Other friends from back at home and senior from the msc especially Deep, Pranav, Mousumi and ...
This study on the impact of the 2004 tsunami on the Nicobar megapode Megapodius nicobariensis, en... more This study on the impact of the 2004 tsunami on the Nicobar megapode Megapodius nicobariensis, endemic coastal living bird species in the Nicobar group of islands showed a significant decline (nearly 70%) in the number of individuals when compared to before tsunami populations (Paired sample test, t=2.061, df=14, p<0.05). The tsunami has also adversely influenced the nest-site selection of the megapodes. The post tsunami impact on this species is also expected to be severe, pushing the species into the category of "critically endangered".
Ecology and Conservation of Tropical Marine Faunal Communities, 2013
Dugong (Dugong dugon) also called as ‘Sea Cow’ is one of the four surviving species in the Order ... more Dugong (Dugong dugon) also called as ‘Sea Cow’ is one of the four surviving species in the Order Sirenia and it is the only existing species of herbivorous mammal that lives exclusively in the sea including in India. Dugong is protected in India and occurs in Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, and Andaman and Nicobar islands . Dugong, once abundant in Indian water is now reduced to about 200 individuals and it is believed to be continuously declining in its number and range. Dugong conservation is nothing but coastal conservation being a flagship species in its range. In order to conserve and manage the declining populations of dugong in India, a ‘Task Force for Conservation of Dugong in India’ was constituted by the Government of India to formulate the conservation action plan for this species. India has the largest population of dugong in the South Asia Sub-region and therefore, it has a significant role to play in the dugong conservation at global level in general and in the South Asia Sub-region in specific. In this background this chapter is to look into the entire gamut of issues related to conservation of dugongs and facilitate to act as a leading nation in the South Asia Sub-region with respect to dugong conservation in the region.
As a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that mandates countries to prepare a n... more As a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that mandates countries to prepare a national biodiversity strategy and action plan for implementing the Convention at the national level, India developed a National Policy and Macro-level Action Strategy on Biodiversity in 1999. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Environment Policy (NEP) in 2006, a National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) was developed through a comprehensive inter-ministerial process in 2008. India’s NBAP is broadly aligned to the global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Using the Strategic Plan as a framework, India is among the select countries that have developed National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) in harmony with the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets. India’s 12 National Biodiversity Targets and the associated indicators and monitoring framework now form an Addendum to the NBAP 2008. This document together with the NBAP 2008 forms the blueprint for biodiversity conservation in the cou...
... local/dependent communities will benefit from the ecological services provided by ... Adoption... more ... local/dependent communities will benefit from the ecological services provided by ... Adoption ofecosystem management approach, with multidisciplinary team, is also required. ... considered for declaring 'Community/Conservation Reserves after thorough biodiversity assessment. ...
Present report is the documentation of shark attack on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, which was w... more Present report is the documentation of shark attack on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, which was washed ashore at Mithapur coast in Gujarat, India. The crescent shaped tooth impregnation on the deceased dolphin revealed it was attacked by shark. As the animal was injured only in seven places, perhaps, the attack was due to competitive interaction between shark and dolphin. Morphometric measurements and description of the wounds on the dolphin were recorded and documented. This is the first report of shark attack on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin from Gujarat coast.
Mahseer are popularly regarded by anglers as the king of freshwater fishes, and are valued across... more Mahseer are popularly regarded by anglers as the king of freshwater fishes, and are valued across the Himalayan and Southeast Asian regions. In India, mahseer are important game fish. Mahseer populations and their habitats face a range of anthropogenic threats, however, including unregulated fishing and habitat fragmentation as a result of hydro-development projects. Catch-and-release angling for mahseer attracts both national and international anglers and could provide information about rivers while generating revenue for regional economies. In this context, we evaluated catch-and-release angling records from rivers that flow within two Indian reserves (the Ramganga and Jia Bharali Rivers in Corbett and Nameri Tiger Reserves, respectively). Golden mahseer Tor putitora in the Ramganga and golden and chocolate mahseer Neolissochilus hexagono-lepis in the Jia Bharali were the most frequently caught fish species. Catch data suggested these game fish populations are probably not negatively affected by angling activities. Interviews with stakeholders highlighted support for catch-and-release angling, mainly because of its perceived economic benefits. The data obtained in this research could potentially assist with both fish conservation and the protection of associated aquatic ecosystems.
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