2006-7 annual report - Nature Conservation Foundation

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P from left: Wreathed Hornbills in flight; a leg-hold trap for mammals; skin of a black muntjac; Lisu school children in Namdapha; field surveys and monitoring by Lisus in Namdapha.
i EAST HIMALAYAN RAINFORESTS j In the rainforests of Arunachal Pradesh, we have established a conservation program with the aim of reducing hunting by local communities by addressing their socio-economic needs. Research has focused on understanding socio-economic needs and the drivers of hunting. We have set up long-term monitoring of hornbills and mammal populations at two sites, to enable evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation interventions in bringing about wildlife recovery. We have undertaken interventions in health care, primary education, rural energy and sponsored alternate livelihood options. Conservation education and advocacy are also important components. Other work has focused on assessing change in forest cover due to human use and unravelling the identity of ‘new’ muntjacs through genetic analysis. Several students and collaborators are involved in various aspects of the program led by Aparajita Datta. Hornbills and tribal communities: wildlife conservation in Arunachal Pradesh Three species of hornbills (Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill) occur in the foothill forests of Pakke WLS, while the globally endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill is restricted to higher areas. In Pakke, nesting commences in mid-March and is over by July. Prior research (1997-2005) had estimated nesting densities of all three species to be 1 nest/km 2 . Hornbills in the area are primarily dependent on a single tree species (Tetrameles nudiflora) for nesting, with 85% (n = 55) of nests on this species, and the remaining on Ailanthus grandis; both these are emergent softwood species and occur in foothill forest which is the main nesting habitat for hornbills. The earlier study had documented high overlap in nest species and nesting habitat used by the three hornbill species. However, structural characteristics were important in determining nest site selection and the main parameters that differentiated nest characteristics of the three species were cavity size and nest tree size. No direct competition for nests or nest takeovers was noted during 1997-2000. However, between 1995 and 2000, large-scale deforestation in adjoining areas of Assam resulted in loss of crucial nesting habitat. From 2003, when the monitoring program was initiated, we observed inspection and use of ‘sub-optimal’ nest cavities that were never used earlier. Instances of interference competition for nest sites between hornbill species are being observed from 2003. In the last three years, several instances of nest takeovers have been recorded indicating a shortage of nesting sites in the area due to the considerable loss of foothill forests over the last 10 years. There is also considerable turnover of nest sites. Sixty-three percent of nests known from earlier are no longer in use, while 20% have been lost to felling. All nest trees (11) cut down were in the adjoining reserve forests of Assam. Sometimes, an inactive nest is re-used after a gap of 1-3 years. A nest tree can become inactive due to occupation by monitor lizards, cavity shrinkage and human disturbance during nesting. The total known nest trees are 55 (22 of Great hornbill, 21 of Wreathed hornbill, and 12 of Oriental pied hornbill), of which 44 are currently standing. Twenty-four new nests have been found between 2004 and 2006. Forty-six nests were monitored in 2006, of which 2 were cut down in Papum Reserve Forest. The number of active nests was 32 (14 GH, 11 WH and 7 OPH) and chicks fledged successfully in 28 nests (87% success). Eleven new nests were discovered (6 of Great hornbill, annual report 13
Page 1: 2006-7 annual report nature conserv
Page 5: i CONTENTS j Foreword 1 Doctoral Pr
Page 8 and 9: 2 annual report
Page 10 and 11: P from top: A herd of bharal; child
Page 12 and 13: Conservation education in the India
Page 14 and 15: Livestock insurance programme Under
Page 16 and 17: • Resource Ecology Group, Wagenin
Page 20 and 21: Table 1. Long-term monitoring (1998
Page 22 and 23: and January 2007 in 40 of the initi
Page 24 and 25: ter survey in Namdapha. In contrast
Page 26 and 27: ments and suggested improvements. A
Page 28 and 29: in determining levels of hunting, w
Page 30 and 31: P from left: An Elaeocarpus munroni
Page 32 and 33: now in the process of being protect
Page 34 and 35: Survival of mammal populations in r
Page 36 and 37: nant plantation crop on the Valpara
Page 38 and 39: Team • Principal personnel: Divya
Page 40 and 41: P from top: Gaur in Bandipur Nation
Page 42 and 43: through the year. As predicted ther
Page 44 and 45: A forest in weed: Impact of Lantana
Page 46 and 47: P from top: Green turtle in Agatti
Page 48 and 49: ecological processes and the impact
Page 50 and 51: • Principal scientists: Rohan Art
Page 52 and 53: Ecology and conservation of the lio
Page 54 and 55: 48 annual report
Page 56 and 57: i FEMDIG j Friday morning discussio
Page 58 and 59: 13. Namgail, T., Bhatnagar, Y. V. &
Page 60 and 61: Peer-reviewed publications 1. Arthu
Page 62: i FINANCIAL STATEMENT j Sources of
Page 65 and 66: i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS j Individual Sup

2006-7 annual report - Nature Conservation Foundation

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