Browsing by Subject "Vegetation"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Human-Leopard Conflict in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal(Central Department of Zoology Institute of Science and Technology Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu, 2015) Pokharel, MonsoonThe common leopard (Panthera pardus) is widely distributed large cat included in near threatened category of IUCN red list. In Nepal, common leopards are distributed widely in different protected areas and human dominated landscape. Human-leopard conflict is a major issue in the Kathmandu valley with death of leopards, injuries to human beings, and livestock losses. The main objective of this study was to assess the trend and causes of human-leopard conflict in the Kathmandu valley. Specific objectives were to find out frequency of leopard encounters and rescues, to explore the causes of conflict, to examine the change in forest cover change (2003-2013) with its appropriate mitigation measures in the Kathmandu valley. I collected data on leopard deaths/rescues, conducted questionnaire survey (n = 110) and analyzed satellite imagery of 2003 and 2013 using ArcGIS. Thirty eight human leopards encounter cases were recorded in 2010-2013 of which 50% leopards were found dead and the remaining 50% were rescued and released back to natural habitat. Seven leopards were found dead in the border area of Shivapuri National Park (SNP). Out of three districts in the valley, Kathmandu had the most human- leopard conflicts, and most of the dead and rescued leopards. Forest cover change into settlements, limited prey species in forest and insufficient awareness level of local communities were the major causes of human leopard conflict in the Kathmandu valley. During the period of 2003-2013 an area of 4011 hectare was converted from forest to barren land in the Kathmandu valley. Most of the human-leopard conflict cases occurred in forest cover change area. During encounters with leopards, human provocations have often resulted in aggressive nature of leopards. Afforestation, local education campaigns, and enhancement of wild prey populations hold much promise for reducing and better managing conflicts.Item Population Status and Conservation Threats to Assamese Macaque (Macaca Assamensis M’clelland, 1840) in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal(Central Department of Zoology, 2018) Thapa, PramodSystematic studies of less common primate species Assamese macaque is rare in Nepal, so to explore the population dynamics and threats to the macaque this study was carried out in the Nagarjun Forest of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (SNNP) from August 2017 to July 2018. A total of 145 Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) were encountered in 7 groups within the total area surveyed of 16 km² in Nagarjun Forest of SNNP by head count or direct count method. The group density was found to be 0.4375 groups/km² with a crude (population) density of 9.0625 individuals/ km² and a mean group size of 20.7142 individuals, range 11-41 individuals. Age-sex composition of macaque comprised 18.621% adult males, 24.138% adult females, 13.793% sub adult male, 11.034% young female, 9.655% Juvenile male, 11.724% juvenile female and 11.034% were infants in the study area. The adult sex ratio and the recruitment rate were found to be 0.771:100 (77male per 100 females) and 2.187:1 (218 female per 100 infant) respectively. Total 16 Quadrate of 20x20m, 44 plant species with 376 number were recorded from Nagarjun forest. This study revealed that Chilaune (Schima wallichii) is the dominant plant species with relative density 10.37% and relative frequency 8.27% followed by Musure kattus (Castonopsis tribuloides) with relative density 9.30% and relative frequency 7.51%. In the two buffer zone VDCs of Nagarjun forest, questionnaire survey was conducted to the local people who are directly involved in agriculture and reported crop raiding as the major problem. Crop mostly preferred includes maize (53.17%), Wheat (15.6%), Millet (7.33%), Paddy (11.93%), Vegetables (7.56%) and Fruits (4.41%). To protect crop fields, local peoples used patrolling and guarding the fields (42%), Tin-box and throwing stone with “Catapult” (13%), using dogs (11%), shouting and chasing (24%), and other methods like fencing with thorny twigs, trapping and caging, scarecrows etc. (10%) were used. Only 15% of the respondents approved that monkeys should be conserved, a majority of 85% don’t feel that it is necessary to conserve the animal. Majority, 52% of local respondent agreed with retaliatory killing was the major threats to monkey, meanwhile 13% agreed with encroachment, 12% habitat destruction, 6% forest fire, 8% disease and 9% respondents stated they have no idea about the threats to monkey. Most of the local peoples (49%), suggested proper monetary compensation is appropriate for the reduction of intensity of conflict, 21% of people said that they should be killed, 19% of total respondents stated that translocation of monkey is another remedial measure. Patrolling and guarding of the crop field by security personnel (Army, Armed Police force) on the regular basis, was suggested by 6% and 5% of respondents didn’t have any suggestion to give. Key words: Assamese monkey, Crop damage, Nagarjun forest, Population distribution, Threats, Vegetation.Item Population Status, Distribution and General Behavior of Assamese Monkey (Macaca Assamensis Mcclelland, 1840) in Kaligandaki River Basin, Baglung and Parbat Districts, Nepal(Central Department of Zoology Institute of Science and Technology Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu, 2016) Pavan Kumar Paudel, Pavan KumarThis study is focused on Assamese Macaques population, distribution, general behavior and vegetation associated with their habitats in Kaligandaki River Basin especially in Baglung and Parbat Districts, Nepal. The field survey was conducted mainly from “9 November, 2015” to “28 June, 2016” to explore the population dynamics of Assamese Macaque. The total area of 104.70 km 2 was surveyed; data were collected by total count method, questionnaire survey, and vegetation analysis by random sampling method and behavioral data were collected by scan sampling method to a particular troop. The total population of Assamese Macaques during the study period was 47 individuals in four different troops. The group density was found to be 0.038 groups/km 2 with a population density of 0.44 individuals/km 2 and a mean group size of 11.75 (range 3-16) individuals. Age-sex composition of macaque comprised 23.40% adult males, 19.14% adult females followed by 17.02% sub adult male, 19.14% young adult female, 14.8% juveniles and 6.38% infants. Adult sex ratio was observed 1:0.81 i.e. 122 males per 100 females and the recruitment rate was found 0.33. i.e. 33 infants per 100 females. The distribution pattern of Assamese Macaques among four different study blocks was found clumped distribution in the habitat. There was significant difference in distribution of Assamese Macaques among four different blocks (χ 2 = 6.2996, d.f.= 3, p = 0.09791, p>0.05). Total of 1640 scan samples were recorded from the focal Aduwabari Troop during the study period. The focal troop revealed that foraging was 47%, moving 28%, resting 14% and grooming 11%. By Quadrate sampling, 58 plant species with 716 number were recorded. this study revealed that Sal (Sorea robusta) is the dominant plant species with relative density 31.42% and relative frequency 8.376% followed by Tiju (Diospyros malabarica) relative density 10.93% and relative frequency 8.376%. Among the crop raided by Assamese Macaques, maize cubs were found to be highly prefered and was 46.95%, followed by 15.91% paddy, 15.11% potato, 10.84% millet, 6.88% wheat, 2.05% pulses, 1.59% fruits and 0.66% vegetables. The most commonly used crop protection strategy was guarding the field 50% followed by scarecrows 25%, using dogs 20% and 5% tin box and catapultItem Understanding Biodiversity Conservation and Buffer zone Vegetation in Manahari Buffer Zone Village Development Committee, Chitwan National Park(Department of Environmental Science, 2007) K.C., AnilThis study entitled “Understanding Biodiversity Conservation and Buffer Zone Vegetation, in Manahari Buffer Zone Village Development Committee, Chitwan National Park.” was carried out in the Buffer Zone (BZ) of the Chitwan National park. It includes two wards (ward no 1 and 2) of Manahari VDC, Makawanpur district. The study aims to find out the dependency of the local people in the park resources and the income generation activities in relations to rhino status. Vegetation analysis of the community forests in the buffer zone, socioeconomic survey in 62 households and GIS analysis of land use change were done. About 11 tree species, 40 shrub species and 18 herb species were recorded in 222.47 ha. The fuelwood and fodder resources of the buffer zone were insufficient and the harvest practice was not sustainable. The total demand of fuelwood and fodder was 2002.03 t/ha and 3099 t/ha respectively where only 23 percent and 27 percent were supplied from the BZ forest. Unpalatable species like Lantana sp and Mikania sp had high density (7880/ha and 7240/ha) and frequency (80 percent and 70 percent) of these species are higher too. There were no timbers available. Poaching and killing of the wildlife species were not reported. The economic status was relatively poor in compared to the other areas and crop production was not sufficient. The illegal harvest of the park resources and encroachment in the Buffer zone forest was ongoing. The migration in this area was ongoing and this could increase more pressure on park resources and also forest of the BZ. In addition, the 1992 land use map of Manahari VDC shows 4.6 percent decrease in forest coverage.