Research

Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences

Title :	Ecology and Recovery of critically endangered Vulture species in Pong Dam Protected Area (PA) and its Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) in district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Area of research :	Computer Sciences and Information Technology, Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences, Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Focus area :	Conservation and Management of Landscapes and Ecologically sensitive areas including issues of sustainable livelihoods
Principal Investigator :	Dr Gautam Talukdar, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun
Timeline Start Year :	2019
Timeline End Year :	2022
Contact info :	gautam@wii.gov.in; gautamtalukdar@gmail.com; ksivakumar@wii.gov.in

Details

Executive Summary :	Vultures are the primary carrion remover in Asia and Africa, scavenging on animal carcasses and helping in keeping the environment clean, also help to control livestock diseases, such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, and anthrax by disposing of infected carcasses. Of the 9 species of vultures found in India, 8 are found in Himachal Pradesh, wherein many PAs support good vulture populations. However, vultures range very widely up to 10,000 square kilometers for foraging. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has done extensive work on the impacts of Diclofenac on the decimation of the vulture population and on Diclofenac residues in ecosystems. Vulture populations were decimated due to kidney failure in vulture populations within a short time of feeding on the carcasses of dead animals treated with Diclofenac. Thus, the landscape around Protected Areas (PAs) needs to be made safe for vultures and especially devoid of diclofenac. Eco-sensitive Zones (BSZS) of (PAs) play an important role as they form a buffer to the PAs where ecological and environmental safeguards can be implemented without disturbing the traditional livelihood rights, through the formulation of a Zonal Management plan. The present study is to study the wild populations of vultures in their natural nesting sites in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. One such is the Pong Dam Protected Area and its eco-sensitive zone (E82) in Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh, wherein vulture populations have been found to occur naturally. in addition to already documented sites, new sites are being identified where vultures are being spotted and require more in-depth study for the reintroduction of ex-situ individual vultures. The success of this can be upscaled to other similar sites also. The study area of the project is Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-sensitive Zone in district Kangra in the State of Himachal Pradesh: The Diclofenac prevalence would be studied in Pong Dam which is a PA in Himachal Pradesh as studies have not been carried out for this PA and its ESZ. The species of vultures that are to be studied under the project are the following: 1. White-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis) 2. Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) 3. Red-Headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) 4. Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnoplens) Population monitoring & tagging of birds will be done by Satellite Telemetry of vultures using PTT Transmitter for their feeding behaviour, nesting pattern, and habitat requirements. Home range/migration will also be assessed. Eco-toxicological assessment will be done by assessment of carcass of livestock/vultures. A Capacity Building and Awareness programme will also be undertaken as part of the project on the impacts of the use of drugs/intentional killing of wildlife/poisoning of carcass due to increased human-animal conflicts, etc. Objective: Ecological monitoring by extensive field survey and satellite telemetry of the vultures. Vultures will be fitted with PTT satellite transmitters which will aid in remotely monitoring the movement pattern of the vultures. Movement ecology will determine the ranging/behavioural pattern. Extensive and systematic field surveys, habitat features and ecological niche modeling will be carried out for the identification of vultures feeding ground, nesting, and roosting sites. Ecological Niche Modelling of vultures. In addition, the local pharmacy will be surveyed to determine to supply of Diclofenac drug in the pharmacies of the area. Samples from the carcasses of the deceased vultures/livestock will be brought to the laboratory for Eco-toxicological assessment. Capacity building of H.P State Forest Department and raising awareness of local communities for long-term conservation of vultures.
Co-PI:	Dr K. Sivakumar, Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun
Total Budget (INR):	85,23,200
Outcome/Output:	Output: Current population trend of vultures within the study site. Detailed behavioural, dietary pattern, nesting, and roosting site of the vultures. Outcome: The project is a baseline for the potential reintroduction of vultures in areas beyond PAs. A road map for long-term conservation and monitoring of vultures of Himachal Pradesh. Guidelines for Vulture conservation to be included in the Zonal Management Plan (ZMP) of Eco-Sensitive Zone of Pong Dam Protected Area in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh for implementation by the State Forest Department.