Abundance of Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Strains in Fecal Samples of Rhinoceros unicornis of the Kaziranga National Park, India

Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the abundance of multiple-antibiotic-resistant (MAR) Salmonella strains in fecal samples of Rhinoceros unicornis of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP), India. Study Design: Antibiotic-resistance profile of the Salmonella isolates from fecal samples of rhinoceros was carried out by replica plating on Muller Hinton Agar (MHA) plates containing antibiotics. The presence of class 1 integrons in metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producing Salmonella isolates was determined by multiplex PCR. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out on rhinos of KNP situated in the Golaghat district of Assam, India in April 2015. Methodology: Fresh rhino fecal samples (designated as 1R, 2R, 3R, 4R and 5R) were dilution plated onto MacConkey agar. Purified bacterial colonies were then streaked separately on bismuth sulphite (BS) agar plates. All black colonies which are characteric growth of Salmonella were selected and used to make master plates on Luria Agar. To determine the antibiotic-resistance profile of the isolates, master-plates of purified single colonies of Salmonella spp. were replicate-printed on plates containing antibiotics from the β-lactam, aminoglycoside, or quinolone groups. To detect the presence of an integron, a conserved segment polymerase chain reaction was used. Results: 97.6% of the Salmonella isolates tested were resistant to >1 antibiotics (multidrug resistant or MAR). A total of 100 isolates from two fecal samples, 4R and 5R, were found to be imipenem resistant; 52 of them tested positive for the presence of MBLs. Five of the twenty MBL producing strains contained class 1 integrons. Conclusion: Because Salmonella is usually spread by drinking contaminated water, it is likely that water bodies in KNP are contaminated with MAR Salmonella strains. In case of Salmonellosis outbreak among Indian one-horned rhinos, our antibiogram will assist the veterinarians to choose the appropriate regimen of antibiotics for the rhinos in the KNP.

Conservation Induced Marginalisation: The Case of Two Tribal Communities of Assam, India

In India, the indigenous people designated as the scheduled tribes (STs) by the Indian constitution have been dependent on forests for their survival. However, with the declaration of protected areas, the conservation plans have mostly overlooked the dependence of these tribes on nature. This paper looks into the adverse impact of conservation on two tribes, the Karbi and Mising, residing on the areas adjacent to the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) of Assam, India. It points out that the case of KNP shows a marked deviation regarding support for conservation by the marginalised communities inspite of hardships. It shows how conservation efforts have further aggravated their conditions. The study was conducted through in-depth interviews with respondents of two villages – a Karbi village and Mising village located on the fringes of the KNP. This paper also takes a cursory glance on the community related initiatives undertaken on the fringes of the KNP for the betterment of the socio-economic conditions.

A CASE STUDY ON DIMENSIONS OF TOURIST SATISFACTION WITH KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK OF ASSAM

The purpose of the study is to find out dimensions of tourist satisfaction towards tourism services provided at Kaziranga National Park (KNP) of Assam. All the determinants of dimensions of tourist satisfaction toward the destination will be measured by Five point Likert Scale, ranging from (5) Excellent to (1) Very Poor. The study had collected data with the help of a questionnaire from 450 tourists that have visited KNP during October, 2018-March 2019. The collected data is analyzed using econometric and non-econometric methods to identify the important factors that determine tourist satisfaction. The result indicates factors such as cleanliness, improved amenities and safety and security are very important to ensure overall high level tourist’s satisfaction. From findings of the study, it suggests that future of KNP should be a place of important and preferred destination for all domestic and international tourists. KEYWORDS: Tourism, Tourist Satisfaction, KNP and Assam.