Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus Bennett, 1833 (Carnivora: Felidae) distribution and habitat characteristics in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 12451-12458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rama Mishra ◽  
Khadga Basnet ◽  
Rajan Amin ◽  
Babu Ram Lamichhane

The Fishing Cat is a highly specialized and threatened felid, and its status is poorly known in the Terai region of Nepal.  Systematic camera-trap surveys, comprising 868 camera-trap days in four survey blocks of 40km2 in Rapti, Reu and Narayani river floodplains of Chitwan National Park, were used to determine the distribution and habitat characteristics of this species.  A total of 19 photographs of five individual cats were recorded at three locations in six independent events.  Eleven camera-trap records obtained during surveys in 2010, 2012 and 2013 were used to map the species distribution inside Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone.  Habitat characteristics were described at six locations where cats were photographed.  The majority of records were obtained in tall grassland surrounding oxbow lakes and riverbanks.  Wetland shrinkage, prey (fish) depletion in natural wetlands and persecution threaten species persistence.  Wetland restoration, reducing human pressure and increasing fish densities in the wetlands, provision of compensation for loss from Fishing Cats and awareness programs should be conducted to ensure their survival.  We also recommend studying genetic diversity of sub-populations, as well as habitat use by radio-tagging. 

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jhamak B. Karki ◽  
B. Pandav ◽  
S. R. Jnawali ◽  
R. Shrestha ◽  
N. M. B. Pradhan ◽  
...  

AbstractInformation on the abundance of tigers Panthera tigris is essential for effective conservation of the species. The main aim of this study was to determine the status of tigers in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, including the Churia hills, using a camera-trap based mark–recapture abundance estimate. Camera traps (n = 310) were placed in an area of 1,261 km2 from 20 January to 22 March 2010. The study area was divided into three blocks and each block was trapped for 19–21 days, with a total effort of 3,582 man-days, 170 elephant-days and 4,793 camera-trap nights. The effectively camera-trapped area was 2,596 km2. Camera stations were located 1.5–2 km apart. Sixty-two tigers (age ⩾ 1.5 years), comprising 15 males, 41 females and six of unidentified sex, were identified from 344 photographs. The heterogeneity model Mh (jackknife) was the best fit for the capture history data. A capture probability ($\hat P$) of 0.05 was obtained, generating a population estimate ($\hat N$) of 125 ± SE 21.8 tigers. The density of tigers in the area, including Churia and Barandabhar (buffer zone forest linked with mid hill forest), was estimated to be 4.5 ± SE 0.35 tigers per 100 km2, using a Bayesian spatially explicit capture–recapture model in SPACECAP. Our study showed the use of Churia by tigers and we therefore conclude that the Chitwan tiger population serves as a source to maintain tiger occupancy of the larger landscape that comprises Chitwan National Park, Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Barandabhar buffer zone, Someswor forest in Nepal and Valmiki Tiger Reserve in India.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subash Sapkota ◽  
Sagar Regmi ◽  
Roshan Ghimire ◽  
Ashish Pokhrel ◽  
Amir Sadaula ◽  
...  

Abstract Deer are the hoofed ruminants of the order Artiodactyla and suborder Ruminantia in which infectious disease and parasites are of major concern in their conservation. This specific research helps us to determine the transmission of gastrointestinal parasites between deer and livestock in the buffer zone. The study was conducted in the eastern part of Chitwan National Park from June 2020 to July 2020. Fecal examination for the parasitic load was carried out using Floatation and Sedimentation techniques. 96.49% of the total fecal samples tested for parasitic eggs were found to be positive for the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasite whereas parasitic prevalence in livestock of Buffer Zone i.e. Sauraha and Bachhauli area was calculated to be 87.30% based on the examination conducted within that same period and same area by the veterinary hospital. Pramphistomum was the most prevalent one in both deer (72.72%) and livestock (52.63%). The finding of this research revealed the higher chances of the exchange of parasites between the deer and livestock. A more advanced study must be done in this sector and concerned authorities should develop and implement effective plans to prevent cross-transmission of parasites between deer and livestock and other wildlife.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Anita Pant ◽  
Shivraj Bhata

The study in Ayodhyapuri Village Development Committee in Buffer Zone of Chitwan National Park revealed that the main source of energy is fuel wood, most of which is supplied from Buffer Zone Community Forestry (BZCF) and Chitwan National Park (37.93%) and partially from private land (2.15%). Agriculture was main source of livelihood among the villagers. Fuel wood consumption per household was found to be 3516.11 kg per year in the study area. Landless and low-income households were found using more fuel wood from BZCF and National Park.  The root problems in the study area are the maximum extraction of fuel wood and fodder from the CF and National Park, and the crop depredation by wildlife. The depredation of the crop by wildlife is one of the major barriers influencing the conservation attitude of local people. The CF is rich in biodiversity as revealed by presence of 36 species of trees, 54 species of shrubs and 66 species of herbs. Shorea robusta is the most dominating species in both trees and shrub strata whereas Imperata cylindrica is the most frequent herbaceous species. Scientific World, Vol. 10, No. 10, July 2012 p47-53 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v10i10.6862


2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Silwal ◽  
BP Shrestha ◽  
BP Bhatta ◽  
BP Devkota

This study has assessed patterns and consequences of park revenue sharing and implementation effectiveness to reduce park-people conflict in the Buffer Zone of Chitwan National Park. To explore programme implementation practice and consequences, two-thirds (n=14) of user committees were selected from the four management sectors. From the sampled committees, a questionnaire survey was randomly taken from user groups (n=100) to collect income and expenditure data. The revenue disbursement trends were favoured in community development works (roads, community buildings and schools) than conflict reduction issues. Fourty-two per cent of the total budget was allocated to infrastructures development, which was followed by conservation and conflict management (35%) and education (9%). Only a small amount of the budget was allocated to alternative energy, construction of animal preventive infrastructures to control wild-animals entering farmland and settlement, and provisions for wildlife damage compensation schemes. A certain part of the revenue should be allocated to wildlife victims. Furthermore, the process of providing relief funds should be shortened and simplified. Banko Janakari, Vol. 23, No. 1, Page 35-41 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/banko.v23i1.9465


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raju Pokharel ◽  
Jagdish Poudel ◽  
Ram Kumar Adhikari ◽  
Aseem Raj Sharma

<p><em>Buffer Zone Community Forestry (BZCF) in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) started with an objective to engage locals and fulfill their resource needs without jeopardizing conservation. This study estimates the forest product demand and supply of fuelwood, fodder, and timber in Bandevi BZCF user group. Data was collected using stratified random sampling and forest inventory using the quadrate method. Results indicated Bandevi BZCF conditions improved since its handover to the community. However, the study estimated a deficit of 26173 cubic meters per year of timber, 3.21 million tonnes per year (Mt/yr) of fodder, and 0.12 Mt/yr of fuelwood. Deficits were fulfilled from agricultural lands outside BZCF and illegal collection from the Bharandavar corridor forest and CNP. BZCF program is a success in improving forest conditions and needs continuation. Policy and programs must focus primarily on livelihood improvement and income generations to reduce the dependency of local people on the forest.</em></p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29
Author(s):  
Santosh Bhattarai ◽  
Chiranjibi P. Pokheral ◽  
Baburam Lamichhane ◽  
Naresh Subedi

The Nepalese herpetofauna has been poorly studied, and little is known about the distribution of the country’s amphibians and reptiles. We surveyed the herpetofauna at Beeshazar and associated lakes, a Ramsar site situated in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. We conducted surveys between June and July 2015 using line transects, and nocturnal and diurnal visual encounter surveys (VES). We recorded 47 species comprising 13 anurans, 11 lizards, 18 snakes, four turtles, and one crocodilian. This document will serve as source material for outreach activities in conservation awareness of the herpetofauna in the buffer zone of the park. The present study suggests that the species composition of Beeshazar and associated lakes is likely to increase with additional systematic inventories.


Our Nature ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasinath Jha

This paper deals in general with diversity of vascular plants, status of invasive alien species (IAS) and nationally threatened plant species, human use potentials of phytodiversity, and some phytodiversity-based measures to restore and improve the Ramsar characteristics of Beeshazar Lake and surrounding landscape system, which isa part of the Barandabhar forest corridor (BFC) - an extension of buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Keywords: Phytodiversity, Beeshazar Lakedoi:10.3126/on.v5i1.797Our Nature (2007)5:41-51


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