Conservation status of forests and wildlife in the Eastern Ghats, India

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
GOPAL S. RAWAT
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
The Government

The Eastern Ghats (EGs) comprise a chain of ancient low hills in the state of Andhra Pradesh adjoining the east coast of India. These hill ranges are well known for a rich array of tropical forests with great conservation significance which support large human populations. A series of protected areas (PAs) have been established by the government along these ranges to conserve the regional biodiversity, but their effectiveness is often questionable. In order to assess the ecological status of the forests both within and outside the PAs and to assess the impacts of ongoing forestry practices a survey was conducted along the EGs. Plant species richness, and density of shrubs and trees, were estimated along disturbance gradients (core, buffer and fringe situations) using random plots of 10-m radius for trees, and 5-m radius (nested) plots for shrubs and saplings. Indirect evidence (spoor) of domestic and wild animals was recorded within the sample plots to compare habitat use by the animals.Srivenkateshwara National Park in the Seshachalam Hills, Gundlabrahmeshwaram Sanctuary in Nallamalais and some parts of Srisailam-Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve, had the least degraded forests due to their PA status. However, collection of non-timber forest products, bamboo harvesting and livestock grazing continues in all areas irrespective of legal status. All bamboo areas have been heavily worked. It is recommended that bamboo working should be stopped in core areas of the PAs and reduced from nine to six months (October to March) in the buffer zones. Summer is a period of potential water shortage for wild animals and bamboo workers' camps near water courses may affect habitat use by these species.The proposed Gudem Maripakhala Sanctuary, well known for its biogeographical value and diverse flora, is seriously threatened as a result of to extensive 'podu' (slash and burn) cultivation. It is suggested that an integrated approach to biodiversity conservation and better agricultural practices, should be adopted in this area. Some of the primary and old growth forests should be identified, mapped and given immediate protection, until a scientifically-based management plan is developed.

scholarly journals The Vulnerable red panda Ailurus fulgens in Bhutan: distribution, conservation status and management recommendations

Oryx ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangay Dorji ◽  
Rajanathan Rajaratnam ◽  
Karl Vernes
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Area Network ◽  
Red Panda ◽  
Ailurus Fulgens

AbstractThe red panda Ailurus fulgens is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Pressurized by an expanding human population, it is mainly threatened by habitat destruction, with < 10,000 mature individuals remaining. The red panda has been studied in India, China, Nepal and, to a lesser extent, Myanmar, but no research has been published on this species in Bhutan. Here, we report on the current distribution and conservation status of the red panda in Bhutan using information gathered from field surveys, interviews and unpublished reports. Red pandas are most common at 2,400–3,700 m altitude in fir Abies densa forests with an undergrowth of bamboo. They occur in most national parks and associated biological corridors within Bhutan's protected area network, overlapping with a rural human population that is undergoing increased socio-economic development. Although culturally respected, red pandas face threats from road construction, harvesting of timber, bamboo and minor forest products, livestock grazing, inefficiently managed tourism, and domestic dogs. We believe conservation of red pandas in Bhutan requires (1) inclusion of ecologically sound principles into future development, (2) implementation of programmes that improve rural socio-economy through ecotourism and cultivation of appropriate cash crops, (3) development of education programmes that raise awareness of red pandas for rural people, (4) management of rural dog populations, (5) greater capacity building for wildlife managers, and (6) more ecological research.

scholarly journals Conservation status of tree species in Himchari National Park of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Hossen ◽  
MK Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Endangered Tree ◽  
The Government

Himchari National Park (HNP) was declared as a Protected Area (PA) in 1980 under the section 23(II) of Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Act 1974 of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The total area of the HNP is about 1,729 ha (4,271.15 acres) under the jurisdiction of Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division, Cox’s Bazar district. Once the forest was very rich in flora and fauna, but many of the species have disappeared due to habitat destruction, over-exploitation, habitat fragmentation, fire hazard, encroachment, indiscriminate harvesting of tree species and Non-Timber Forest products. The study was conducted through extensive whole area survey and quadrat survey methods. A total of 117 tree species (having ≥ 5 cm dbh) belonging to 37 families was recorded from the HNP. Moraceae family possesses the highest species (14) followed by Mimosaceae (8), Euphorbiaceae (7), Myrtaceae (6) and 5 species each by Anacardiaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Meliaceae and Verbenaceae. A total of 69 tree species (59%) was found as Least Concern (LC) representing maximum tree species among all the categories. Vulnerable, Endangered, Near Threatened and Critically Endangered tree species were represented by 16 species (14%), 4 species (3%), 2 species (2%) and 2 species (2%), respectively. It is necessary to take effective measures for the protection, sustainable management, proper utilization and conservation of tree species in an aim to conserve the forest genetic resources of the Himchari natural forests. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2018, 4(2): 1-10

scholarly journals China's Legal Response to Trafficking in Wild Animals: The Relationship between International Treaties and Chinese Law

AJIL Unbound ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 408-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiwen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Raw Materials ◽  
Wild Animal ◽  
Food Culture ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Ecological Civilization ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
The Government ◽  
Bear Bile

In China, the wild animals and animal products that are sold through illegal trafficking are mainly those that can be made into medicines; are raw materials in the form of ivory, rhinoceros horns, and turtle shells; and are edible or have ornamental value, such as birds, monkeys, turtles, and lizards. Due to its rapid economic development over the past decade, China has become one of the world's largest wildlife markets. The main reasons for trafficking are a lack of viable substitutes for raw materials used in traditional Chinese medicines (e.g., bear bile, bear bile powder, pangolin, and other products); a preference in traditional food culture for delicacies made from wildlife; and of the private consumption by some rich and corrupt government officials of tiger's meat, bear's paw, pangolin and other wild animal products—bear's paw and pangolin being the most popular. This type of wild animal trafficking endangers the safety of animal species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and damages the international image of the government and people of China. Since 2013, under the frame of construction of ecological civilization, China has taken stricter measures on legislation, administrative enforcement, judicial adjudication, and international cooperation on prevention and punishment of illegal trafficking.

Frequency distribution of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae in human populations and its relationships with age and sex

Parasitology ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Das ◽  
A. Manoharan ◽  
A. Srividya ◽  
B. T. Grenfell ◽  
D. A. P. Bundy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Wuchereria Bancrofti ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Sampling Errors ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Age And Sex

SUMMARYThis paper examines the effects of host age and sex on the frequency distribution of Wuchereria bancrofti infections in the human host. Microfilarial counts from a large data base on the epidemiology of bancroftian filariasis in Pondicherry, South India are analysed. Frequency distributions of microfilarial counts divided by age are successfully described by zero-truncated negative binomial distributions, fitted by maximum likelihood. Parameter estimates from the fits indicate a significant trend of decreasing overdispersion with age in the distributions above age 10; this pattern provides indirect evidence for the operation of density-dependent constraints on microfilarial intensity. The analysis also provides estimates of the proportion of mf-positive individuals who are identified as negative due to sampling errors (around 5% of the total negatives). This allows the construction of corrected mf age–prevalence curves, which indicate that the observed prevalence may underestimate the true figures by between 25% and 100%. The age distribution of mf-negative individuals in the population is discussed in terms of current hypotheses about the interaction between disease and infection.

scholarly journals Radiotelemetry of a female jaú, Zungaro jahu (Ihering, 1898) (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae), passed upstream of Funil Dam, rio Grande, Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Bernardo Mascarenhas Alves ◽  
Luiz Gustavo Martins da Silva ◽  
Alexandre Lima Godinho
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Daytime Activity ◽  
The Times ◽  
Migratory Movements

Jaú, Zungaro jahu (Ihering, 1898), a large migratory catfish endemic to the rio da Prata basin, has a fragile conservation status and its ecology is poorly known. We radio-tracked a female jaú with a total length of 1.5 m that was passed upstream of Funil Dam, rio Grande, to describe its migratory movements, habitat use, linear home range, and diel activity. To track the fish, we made five tracking trips in the period from April, 2003 to January, 2004. In addition to the main body of Funil Reservoir, the fish also used a reservoir-river transition zone located in a branch of Funil Reservoir that flooded part of rio das Mortes. Most of the times, we found the fish in the former beds of streams flooded by the reservoir, at depths that ranged from 8-9 m in the reservoir-river transition zone to 18-21 m in Funil Reservoir. Linear home range of the fish was 31.4 km. The onset of activity occurred early in the evening, but we also detected daytime activity. The conclusion from our study was that the passed adult female jaú used reservoir habitats, migrated between the main body and the reservoir-river transition zone, preferred deep habitats, showed a relatively short home range, and had diurnal and nocturnal activities.

scholarly journals Innovations in the Forest Products Industry: The Malaysian Experience

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jegatheswaran RATNASINGAM ◽  
Lim Tau WAI ◽  
Ganesh THANASEGARAN ◽  
Florin IORAS ◽  
Cristina VACALIE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Forest Products Industry ◽  
Industrial Enterprises ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
The Government ◽  
Market Needs

The forest products industry is an important socioeconomic sector to many developing countries, both in terms of foreign exchange earnings and employment. In the case of Malaysia, the industry has been one of the fastest growing manufacturing sectors in the country, driven primarily by comparative advantages derived from factor inputs. However, with increasing competition from other cheaper producing nations particularly China and Vietnam, the Malaysian forest products industry is forced to transform and move along the value-chain through innovation and value-addition. Although the government has played a pivotal role in providing a broad policy framework to support value-adding and innovative activities, success on the ground has been limited. The creativity environment, which is plagued with by low-wage economy, coupled with limited network between research, market and industrial enterprises have stifled innovation within the industry. The lack of information and the poor quality human capital has also contributed to the limited innovation within the forest products industry in the country. Against this background, most innovation within the industry is confined to the realms of alternative raw materials, with minimal technological and design variations. Although extensive research and development activities are undertaken, the commercialization potential of the research outputs is limited due to being not market-driven. Inevitably, innovation in the forest products sector must be based on market-needs and must be driven through technological and design change in order to ensure long-term competitiveness.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on Residents’ Willingness to Consume Wild Animals: Empirical Insights From China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si Ruishi ◽  
Lu Qian ◽  
Noshaba Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Ecological Environment ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
Market Control ◽  
The Government ◽  
Household Heads

Abstract Background: It is argued that wild animals are the culprit of transmission of COVID-19 and poor health of the people, though any evidence is not found, the government has widely publicized the risk allied with eating wild animals. Therefore, this study attempts to explore the effect of COVID-19 on residents’ willingness to consume wild animals (WCWA) and their amount of willingness to pay (AWP). Methods: Data were gathered online from 1250 household heads of both urban and rural residents of Hubei, Hunan, and Guangdong provinces during the period of 19th to 26th March 2020 and Probit and Tobit model is employed to meet the study objectives. Results: The results showed that around 39.20% of residents are willing to consume wild animals and their amount of willingness to pay was 34.65 USD/year. In the context of market control policy & home restriction policy, the mediating effect is 34.20% & 27.73% respectively. In contrast, in the context of ecological environment risk and food security risk perception, the mediating effects are 7.94% and 10.16% respectively. Conclusions: Although COVID-19 reduced the probability of residents’ WCWA, the effect on AWP was not significant. Moreover, COVID-19’s effects on residents’ WCWA through market control and home restriction policies were strong, but perceptions of the ecological environment and food safety risk were relatively weak. These results provide insights for policymakers in terms of raising public awareness of the negative consequences of consuming wild animals and increasing knowledge of the animals’ protection.

scholarly journals Financial Feasibility of Investing in Smallholder Cow-Calf Cooperatives in Baluran National Park

Agro Ekonomi ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Mark Rademaker ◽  
Any Suryantini ◽  
Jangkung Handoyo Mulyo
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Farm Labor ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Discounted Cash Flow ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
The Government

Livestock grazing is a major driver of human-wildlife confl ict in conservation areas. Currently, it is estimated that 3000 heads of cattle illegally grazing within Baluran National Park (BNP) in East Java. The recent research has suggested the potential of livestock system intensifi cation to reduce land-use and conflict through conservation priorities. The research goal was to investigate the fi nancial feasibility of starting intensive cow-calf cooperatives by smallholders in the BNP area. Data were collected using Farm surveys in a Criterion sampling design. Optimal herd management plans were generated using whole farm Linear Programming and fi nancial feasibility was assessed using Discounted cash-flow analysis and debt-servicing capabilities. Investment lifetime was set at 15 years and four alternative varieties of cattle were taken from Bali, Peranakan Ongole, Limousin and Simmental. Results show that investing in all varieties represents a positive investment opportunity. Bali cattle obtaining the highest NPV ($53.769), IRR (14,25%) and B/C ratio (1,13). Farmer income can be increased by 163% by combining additional Off-farm labor. However, debt servicing capabilities of cow-calf cooperative activities showed that the loan principal can only be repaid in the 10th year instead of the maximum eight years set by the government cow-calf credit scheme. We urge the government to reconsider either the grace period or the repayment time of the credit scheme to better fit the cash-fl ow characteristics of cow-calf enterprises.

scholarly journals Terrestrial Carbon Stock Potential in Selected Forest in Bhutan, India and Nepal

2021 ◽  
pp. 21-32
Author(s):  
Kezang Choden ◽  
Bhagat Suberi ◽  
Purna Chettri
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
The Government

Forests are natural carbon reservoirs that play an important role in the global carbon cycle for storing large quantities of carbon in vegetation and soils. Carbon stored in pool helps in mitigating climate change by carbon sequestration. The vulnerable countries to changing climate such as Bhutan, Nepal, and India require a full understanding of carbon dynamics as well as baseline data on carbon stock potential to mitigate anticipated risks and vulnerabilities (RVs) through climate change. The scope of such RVs are trans boundary in nature, however, the comparative studies at regional scale are still scanty. Therefore, the aim of this review is to assess the carbon stock potentials of selected forest types in the eastern Himalayan area, with an emphasis on Bhutan, India, and Nepal. This review paper is based on published articles, information from websites and considerable data from National forestry reports of India and Bhutan; emphasizing on aboveground biomass and soil organic carbon stock. The review showed that carbon stock potential is highly dependent on stand density, above-ground biomass, species richness and forest types. The sub-tropical forest was found to have larger carbon capacity and sequestration potential. SOC concentration and tree biomass stocks were significantly higher at the high altitude where there is less human disturbance. In general, forest coverage has increased compare to previous year in Bhutan, India and Nepal which ultimately leads to higher carbon stock potential. It is mainly due to strong policies and different strategies for conservation of forest management have reduced mass destruction despite a growing population. Despite the rules, deforestation continues to occur at various scales. However, it can be stated that the government and citizens are working hard to increase carbon stock potential, mostly through afforestation and community forest creation. In addition, it is recommended to practice sustainable forest management, regulated and planned cutting of trees and proper forest products utilization.

scholarly journals Incidence of Pests and Diseases in Tree Nurseries and Plantations in Kimondi Forest, Nandi County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-28
Author(s):  
Joseph Atanga Ondieki ◽  
Peter Sirmah ◽  
Joseph Hitimana
Keyword(s):  
Insect Pests ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Cupressus Lusitanica ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
The Government ◽  
Increasing Demand

Increasing demand for wood is putting pressure on forest resources that are equally under threat from insect pests and diseases. Reported average annual forest loss stands at 0.2% globally, 0.8% in Africa, and 1.6% in Kenya. To meet the increasing demand for forest products in Kenya, the government and private sector have established plantations of non-native tree species dominated by Eucalyptus species, Cupressus lusitanica, and Pinus patula. To ensure successful forest plantation establishment and management schemes, there is a need for sufficient knowledge and understanding of tree growth conditions and threats including pests and diseases. This study aimed at determining the incidence of plantation and tree nurseries in Kimondi Forest, Kenya. Tree plantations were mapped into 2.5 Ha rectangular portion transects parallel to the forest roads.  In randomly selected portions, observations were carried out for disease and pest signs and symptoms on various tree parts (leaves, stem, roots, fruits, and twigs). In the tree nurseries, 3 m × 1 m rectangular quadrants were placed on seedling beds and similar observations were made. Collected data indicated a high incidence of nursery seedling pests (5.3 % leaves and 5.1%  stems) on Eucalyptus species and least on P. patula (2.4% leaves and 3% stems). Higher incidence of plantation pests (35.0% leaves of Eucalyptus sps.) and least on P. patula stems (1.2%) were recorded. On the other hand, twelve (12.0%) of C. lusitanica and (1.8%) Eucalyptus species plantation twigs were infested by pests. A high incidence of nursery seedling disease (9.8%) was observed on C. lusitanica leaves and least on P. patula stems (3.6%). Higher incidence of plantation diseases (32 %) on leaves of  Eucalyptus sps. and least on C. lusitanica stem (1.4%) was recorded. In both tree nurseries and plantations, roots and fruits remained free from pests and disease. Major tree pests and diseases identified in Kimondi forests include (Human, wildlife, livestock, Cinara cupressi, Gonipterus scutellatus, Pinus pini, and Leptocybe invasa) and (damping-off, Fusarium wilt, Botryosphaeria canker, cypress canker, and Mycosphaerella spp.) respectively. These results suggest a need for regular monitoring and intervention measures to control pest and disease infestation in the Kimondi forest.

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