Wildlife and Nature Conservation - Centre for Ecological Sciences

capacity of PAs and of different ecosystems, to reduce man-animal conflict, to know theimpacts of long-term overgrazing, collection of minor forest products, fire, floods,tourism etc, and also to know the benefits that PAs and ecosystems accrue to the nationand to local communities. While everyone acknowledges the role of forests, grasslands,and wetlands in maintaining the water regime of an area or of a river system, there ishardly any empirical data on this aspect in our country. Many species e.g. rhino, lion,swamp deer, hispid hare, have recovered from very small numbers with a small geneticbase. At the same time, fragmentation of habitat/ecosystem is creating small isolatedpopulations. There is no long-term study on genetic deterioration of small populations.With increasing human population (India’s population is estimated to reach 1.4 to 1.5billion mark in another 40-45 years before leveling off), habitats/PAs will become moreisolated, with very little chance of natural dispersal/movement of some animals from PAsinto a larger landscape.One of the goals of setting up PAs is to increase our understanding of the ecosystems andbiological processes, for the advancement of science. This can only be achieved throughResearch and Monitoring. Research and Monitoring are also essential for planningconservation management and for evaluating its efficacy. This also includes monitoringimpact of climate change on natural habitats. Despite the importance of research, there isno legislation that promotes and facilitates research in natural habitats, whether these arePAs, reserved forests, community land, farmland, etc. In fact, there are severallegislations that discourage research. The interpretation of ‘research’ (permits, funds,entry, etc) is often left to the whims and fancies of decision makers. Fundamentalresearch on species and ecosystems may look academic to a PA manager but it isessential for the advancement of science and also for long-term monitoring ofspecies/ecosystem. Both fundamental and applied research should be encouraged,especially the latter. Moreover, basics of research methodologies, and the importance andappreciation of research should be taught to PA managers during their training inDehradun and other forest institutes. Presently, many PA managers discourage anddeprecate research and researchers. Wildlife disease is an emerging threat all over theworld due to various reasons. While we have veterinarians in every district, who mainlylook after domestic animals, we lack good wildlife vets. We do not have vets even innational parks. There is no short-term or long-term monitoring of wildlife diseases in anyPA in India. There is not much research on the introduction and reintroduction of species.With increasing fragmentation of habitats and local extinction of some species, there is aneed to gain knowledge about introduction and reintroduction and rehabilitation. Forexample, the Grey Hornbill (Tockus Birorstris) has become extinct in the Gir; possiblydue to hunting pressure a couple of decades ago. However, the situation has improvedand the area is better protected now. Can we reintroduce the grey hornbill in Gir? Is thehabitat suitable? How many pairs need to be reintroduced? We need to know all thisbefore any reintroduction attempt is made. Similarly, there is a need to captive-breed andreintroduce the Great Indian Bustard in suitable areas in Rajasthan, Gujarat and possiblyMadhya Pradesh. However, before this is done, a feasibility study needs to be done foreach area. Investigations and research also needs to be done to evolve techniques to masscapture, translocate and rehabilitate certain species like the nilgai, blackbuck and wildpig.128