Population Status and Haitat Use to Nilgai ( Boslaphus Tragocamelus) in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

Abstract

A study on the population status and habitat use of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR) was carried out during the summer (May–July) 2011. The study aimed at studying the current status, distribution and habitat use of blue bull in SWR. Population status and habitat utilization were studied by direct observation and vegetation composition in the study area was studied by quadrate method. For vegetation study, all the plant species inside the quadrate were counted as well as ocular estimation was made to measure the coverage for shrub and ground vegetation and approximate crown coverage was conducted for tree species. All the stage of tree including tree, pole size, sapling and seedling were also analyzed. A total of 17 individual animals with average group size of 1.89 were recorded during the study. The population shows the reflecting decline as well as in critical state from the previous recorded data probably due to poaching, high predation and poor habitat quality. Nilgai were found using three main different habitats available in the study area, Sal forest, Riverine forest and Mixed forest. Of these, Sal forest with grass patches was highly preferred mainly due to the availability of preferred browse and grass species and also the semi-open land helps animals to avoid the risk of predation. Riverine forest is also utilized due to the presence of different ground vegetation and the other browse species with their fruits in dry hot season. Apart from this Riverine forests provides shade and cover. Four major types of vegetation were found in the main study area. Sal forest was dominated by Shorea robusta, Cleistocalyxn operculatus. Riverine forest was mainly dominated by Murraya koenigii, Syzygium cumini, Trewia nudiflora, Mallotus philippensis and Mixed forest was dominated by Symplocos pyrifolia, Termenalia alata, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Ber (local name) tree species. Highest tree density was recorded in the Riverine forest (300 ind/ha) than in Mixed forest (225 ind/ha) and Sal forest (103.97 ind/ha).

Key words: Nilgai, SWR, Habitat utilization, Population, Quadrate method