An Assessment of Water bird species and associated water bird composition in the Haiderpur Wetland of Hastinapur Wildlife sanctuary Uttar Pradesh, India

Bird species are natural indicators of healthy ecosystem. Indian sub-continent contributes about 13% of the world avian species. A study was carried out between year 2017 and 2019, at Haiderpur wetland (Hastinapur wildlife sanctuary) along the Ganga River in Utter Pradesh. Total 66 water bird species belonging to 15 families were encountered. Among the water bird species 04 Vulnerable (Common Pochard, Black headed ibis, Sarus crane, Indian skimmer), 06 near threaten (River Lapwing, Northern lapwing, River tern, Painted stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Black-tailed Godwit) and 01 Endangered (Black-bellied Tern) waterbird species (as per IUCN records) were reported in the Haiderpur wetland area. The contribution of water migratory bird is about 29% in the study area. This area is contributing as birding site thus more focus on conservation of this site.

Ethnoveterinary plants used by Mising, Tai-Aiton and Santhal community residing nearby Nambor-Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary of Golaghat, Assam, India

An ethnoveterinary survey was carried out to document the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in treating domestic animals by three ethnic tribes viz. Mising, Tai-Aiton and Santhal. This paper en-lighten the various processes that are being applied by each community to cure their domestic pets. Interview of informants was conducted using a model questionnaire (Parabia and Reddy, 2002). Specimens were prepared by following standard methodology (Jain & Rao, 1977; and Bridson & Forman, 1998). Plants were poisoned in saturated solution of Mercuric chloride dissolved in absolute alcohol (25g in 1000ml Ethyl alcohol) and then mounted in standard herbarium sheets (41 x 28cm). The identification of plants was done by following a number of floristic literatures. A total of 17 plant species were collected and are cited with their Botanical name, Family, Local name, Tribes, Parts used, Diseases, & Mode of preparation and application. Plants with additional new report to ethnoveterinary by the respective tribes are also indicated. This shows a great potential for research as well as discovery of newer drugs. Phytochemical screening of the plants shall further help in denoting the medicinal properties which will validate the traditional knowledge of the tribal communities. The resourceful knowledge of indigenous plants may be lost forever if not properly documented.

Cold water fish diversity and their conservation status in Teesta,Jaldhak, Torsa, Kaljani and Sankosh Rivers of the Dooars region, West Bengal, India

A survey was conducted on the cold water fish diversity in the different rivers of the Dooars region with the help of fisherman. Data was collected on the monthly basis by using different nets. A total of 71 cold water fishes were reported during the study period. Most dominant family was cyprinidae with 32 species followed by Sisoridae with 12 species; Balitoridae 8 and Bagridae with 4 species etc. 70 cold water fish species in the river Teesta, 63 in Jaldhaka, 66 in Torsa, 61 in Kaljani and 66 in the river Sankosh were recorded. Ten Endangered and 31 Vulnerable species were reported from all the five rivers. Out of 71 cold water fishes many have consumption and ornamental value. Many migratory and sport cold water fishes are also reported. Catch frequency status indicates many fishes found rare and extremely rare during the study.

Avian Diversity and Habitat Use of Sultanpur National Park,Haryana, India

The species diversity, guild and current status of the avifauna in the Sultanpur National Park, Haryana was investigated during January 2018 to June 2019. The line transects method with constant length and variable width was used in the study. The presence of 111 species of birds belonging to 90 genera, 42 families and 17 orders were observed. Non-passerine bird species dominated over the passerine bird species in relative diversity. Data of residential status revealed that 82 species were resident and rest 29 were either winter or summer migrants. Sultanpur National Park supported 41 (36.9%) omnivorous, 29 (26.1%) carnivorous, 24 (21.6%) insectivorous, 9 (8.1%) granivorous, 6 (5.4%) frugivorous and 2 (1.8%) nectarivorous birds. It was further reported that Sultanpur National Park supported 1 endangered, 1 vulnerable and 6 near threatened species of birds. Analysis of population status as per IUCN revealed that 35 species were having stable, 32 decreasing, 25 increasing, 19 had unknown population trend. It is hoped that the study will be helpful in drawing attention, of the public and state government towards conservation of the Sultanpur National Park and, protection of its avian fauna.

Standardization of anesthetic dose for immobilization of captive-bred Red Panda in Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

The present study was done to get a standard dose of xylazine/ketamine with minimum recovery time. Ten healthy red pandas were anesthetized for the blood collection for their blood biochemistry and hematological studies at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling. The animals were administered with xylazine/ketamine according to their body weight and recovery time was calculated. We found that immobilization was successful with a low dose of ketamine which was found very low as compared to other authors. The lower anesthetic dose was effective in young animals but there was no relation between age and recovery time. Based on the findings of the present study we can conclude that red pandas between 4-7 kg body weight could be easily immobile with the dose of xylazine/ketamine between 2-5 mg/kg and can be recovered in 25 minutes. The conclusion is completely based on the study of the captive-bred red pandas in the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. The results of this study may vary from other zoos due to geographical and regional differences.

Wildlife diversity along the altitudinal gradients in the Garhwal Himalaya

Rich biodiversity is of fundamental significance for the foundation and adaptability of the precipitous biological system. In any case, this huge biodiversity begins vanishing at a quick rate because of human interference and over-exploitation of timberland and other common assets. The status of wildlife in Uttarakhand at Himalaya is much better than in other regions of India. But it becomes slowly disappearing due to the human encroachment and over-exploitation of forest and other natural resources. Musk Deer along the higher spans and Sambar, Yelping Deer, and so forth underneath the tree line are significant warm-blooded creatures. The present investigation was done in the Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand to uncover the effect of height and microclimatic conditions on wildlife. It is extremely vital and very fundamental for the individuals of the present era to go profoundly through the world of wildlife.

Ecotourism opportunities and conservation challenges: A case study involving some lesser known protected areas of central India landscape

Madhya Pradesh is a wildlife tourism destination in India. However, some Protected Areas are not developed, and their importance is not well-known. Weak management practices and low motivating factors for staff, lack of ownership among the communities were some of the restricting factors why they have not been able to develop to their full potential. In order to support their development, organizations having corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds were identified from various districts of Madhya Pradesh viz. Indore, Dhar, Satna, Katni, Singrauli and Dewas. The primary objective of this study is to throw light on their potential, to generate awareness about their potential and how they can be promoted to boost ecotourism with the help of all concerned stakeholders’ participation.

Molecular identification of Ergalatax contracta from Yeongdo island, Korea

The current study reports the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 sequence of Gastropoda Ergalatax contracta from Busan, Korea. Four specimens were collected and extracted to obtain genomic DNA for the sequencing analysis. This is the first E. contracta sequence from Korea submitted to the NCBI for an accession number.

Biodiversity conservation in Botanical Gardens: collection of Cycadales Pers. ex Bercht. & J. Presl representatives in the greenhouses of the Peter the Great Botanical Garden (BIN RAS)

The role of Botanical Gardens in biodiversity conservation is considered. The analysis of the greenhouse collection of Cycadales representatives is carried out. Both the general characteristics of this group of plants (distribution, growth forms, reproduction, taxonomy) and the characteristics of the families and genera Cycadales presented in the collection of the Peter the Great Botanical Garden are given. In the greenhouses, 47 species of Cycadales belonging to 9 genera are grown, all species have a conservation status: CR - 7 species, EN - 10 species, VU - 6 species, NT - 16 species, LC - 8 species.

Aborichthys uniobarensis, a new species of river loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

A new species of nemacheilid loach, Aborichthys uniobarensis, is described from the Senkhi stream, upper Brahmaputra basin in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. Aborichthys uniobarensis is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of 6–14 fused oblique bars along the dorso-lateral margin of the body, 21–28 oblique bars along the flank, vent closer to the snout tip than to the caudal fin base and caudal fin oval shaped with upper half more extended than lower.