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The present study aimed to understand the variation in herbaceous plant species diversity in urban (UR) and agricultural (AG) ecosystems of Aligarh. Data on herbaceous plant species richness (no. of species), diversity (Shannon-Wiener’s 'H) and spices dominance (1-D) were collected by laying 270 plots of 0.5*0.5 m at each stratum. We recorded a total of 81 plant species belonging to 75 genera and 29 families. Among them, 62.5 % of species were found in the AG sites and 37.5% in the UR sites. Herbaceous plant richness, and spices dominance were higher in AG in comparison to UR. Conversely, species evenness lower lower in AG compared to UR. At both the strata, species richness was the highest during the monsoon season. The mean Shannon diversity (AG = 1.25±0.03, UR = 0.78±0.03) and dominance (AG = 0.64±0.01, UR = 0.48±0.01) were the highest during the monsoon season, whereas evenness (AG = 0.87 0.01, UR = 0.93 0.007) had maximum value during the summer season. The study concluded that human stresses and disturbance have a greater impact on herbaceous plant diversity in urban areas (UR). These conclusions may have consequences for the planning of green areas in urban landscape and the conservation of plant diversity. However, more research into the processes related to urbanization and plant diversity is required.

Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) supports several important species such as the tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), elephant (Elephas maximus), and sambar (Cervus unicolor). Some of the species are involved in crop damage, livestock depredation, and human injuries or causalities, causing economic and social losses. Tigers and leopards are perceived as the major threat, causing economic losses to the people living around the protected areas (PAs), because of livestock depredation. Alternatively, the local community also draws benefits from the forest, which are seldom considered part of their economy. Here, we assessed the economic losses and benefits to the people at the northern periphery of the CTR based on semi-structured questionnaire survey of 301 respondents in 26 villages, between January and June 2018. We also determined the socio-economic factors associated with forest dependency using Ordinary Least Square regression (OLS). Most respondents (98%) reported reliance on the forest for fuelwood, fodder, and cattle grazing. Income from forest resources (US$ 1102.2 ± 63.6/hh/yr) 2 contributed significantly to the livelihood of the people (26.5 ± 1.3%). The income from fuelwood (US$ 188.1 ± 2.2/hh/yr), fodder (US$ 335.0 ± 10.0/hh/yr) and livestock grazing (US$ 618.1 ± 59.9/hh/yr) contributed 5.6 ± 0.3%, 9.3 ± 0.6%, and 11.6 ± 1%, respectively, to the household's total income. Reliance on forest resources was positively associated with the number of livestock and female participation in resource extraction, and negatively with the employment, age, education of respondents, and use of modern source of energy -Liquid Petroleum Gas. People incurred a cost of US$ 110.5 ± 4.7/hh/yr due to livestock depredation. It was estimated that benefits drawn from the forest exceed the losses incurred due to livestock depredation. Therefore, we recommend that a cost-benefit analysis is essential before designing conflict mitigation strategies. Since the compensatory schemes in India have largely struggled to achieve their objectives, it is, therefore, emphasised to find other measures, such as payment of ecosystem services (PES), to reduce conflict for maintaining a peaceful co-existence of human and carnivores.

The positive association between landscape compositional heterogeneity and avian species richness is widely accepted, however, birds of different feeding guilds are expected to respond differently because of diverse resource utilisation patterns and ecological tolerance. In the present study, we assessed the response of avian species and avifaunal feeding guilds to landscape compositional heterogeneity and factors associated with their richness. Bird richness and landscape variables, edge density, landscape diversity, and area of land cover types were evaluated at 30 sampling sites in the Terai-Arc landscape of Uttarakhand, India. Univariate regression was performed to investigate the response of birds and various feeding guilds to landscape compositional heterogeneity. Average weighted models of most parsimonious generalised linear regression models (

We assessed the status and distribution of mammals using camera traps in Ramnagar Forest Division between February and June 2017. A total of 2656 independent photographs representing herbivores (57.2%), carnivores (7%), omnivores (6.8%), birds (2.0%), cattle (5.6%), humans (18.7%) and free-ranging stray dogs (2.7%) were recorded from 96 trap stations. Tiger (Panthera tigris) was trapped more often than other carnivores. Spotted deer (Axis axis) stood first among the herbivores and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) among the omnivores. The Relative Abundance Index (RAI) for spotted deer was highest at low anthropogenic disturbance sites, while for other members of cervidae (barking deer Muntiacus muntjac; sambar Rusa unicolor and Himalayan goral Naemorhedus goral), it was highest at sites free from the disturbance. Tiger was most abundant at low while leopard (Panthera pardus) at high anthropogenic disturbance sites. Except for leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), other small carnivores including Jungle cat (Felis chaus), small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) and yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) and omnivore; golden jackal (Canis aureus) was photo captured mostly at medium human anthropogenic disturbance sites. The current information is expected to help in the formulation of management strategies for long-term conservation of mammals outside the protected areas in Terai-Arc Landscape.

Increasing pace of urbanization is the leading cause of decline in natural areas and associated biodiversity in developing countries. Bird richness is considered as a key indicator of urban environment quality. We investigated the relationship between satellite image derived landscape variables and field surveyed bird counts to predict bird richness in a rapidly urbanizing city in Western Himalayan foothills of India. Predictor variables derived from remotely sensed data comprised of vegetation productivity, landscape metrics and topography. We found that bird richness in this low density residential urban environment was positively related to greenness, elevation, and the degree of contrast between neighbourhood patches, while it was negatively related to patch densities. The Generalized Linear Model (GLM) with lowest Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) explained about 90% variability in bird richness distribution. Results indicated high bird species richness in elevated remnant vegetation patches and green spaces compared to low lying “core” settlement areas. The study urges to consider conservation and protection of green cover spaces in urban areas through effective landscape and urban planning.

We surveyed water birds in Haripura-Baur Reservoir using total count method between 2013 and 2015. A total of 65 species were recorded representing eight orders and 14 families. Numerically Anatidae was the dominant family followed by Ardeidae and Scolopacidae. Common Coot Fulica atra, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Gadwall Anas strepera, and Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula were dominant species in the reservoir. The Shannon diversity of water birds was more or less consistent over the years and ranged between 2.56 (2013–14) and 2.23 (2015–16). The reservoir supports water birds having declining population trends globally (41% of species), including three Vulnerable (Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, and Sarus Crane Grus antigone and four Near Threatened species (Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, and River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii). Bird species belong to four feeding guilds with the domination of the carnivore group. The current information is expected to serve as preliminary database of water birds for further research and monitoring.

We have conducted a study between May and August 2013 to understand the dietary spectrum of two canid species: Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) and Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in one of the most inhospitable landscape of the world. Ladakh is characterized by harsh environmental conditions and low primary productivity and therefore animal populations, particularly of large and medium sized herbivores are also low and sparsely distributed. This in turn poses a challenge to the survival of predators. We have attempted to investigate the ways by which the two sympatric canid species are optimizing feeding for their survival in an environment where there is scarcity of wild prey base. Scats of the two species were collected from Chiktan and Rangdum valleys and undigested food remnants were identified. The dietary spectrum of Tibetan wolf was composed of six prey species (2 wild and 4 livestock species). The share of livestock species in the diet was maximum (RO: 62.0%). The Red fox being an opportunistic feeder consumed 19 forgeable items, including small and medium sized mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, plant material, eggs, stones and debris. The livestock species contributed maximum to the diet of Red fox (RO: 22.9%). The dietary niche breadths of both species were more or less similar (0.53 and 0.58) and indicating a generalist feeding behavior. Both the species are surviving in the same environment with a dietary overlap of 0.60. The given information is expected to aid further studies in Indian Trans-Himalaya.

Studies assessing the effect of urbanization on bird community structure largely carried out in developed countries and little is known about the developing region particularly in India. Bird diversity, richness, composition and guild structure was examined at urban, semi-urban, semi-rural and rural-natural sites in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Each site was sampled using 90 fixed radius point counts between January and June 2016. Semi-urban site was more species rich (2.38 ± 0.06), diverse (0.80 ± .01) and even (0.90 ± .00) than other three urban-rural gradient sites. Density of bird peaked at urban site (43.09 ± 4.7). Numerically, urban site was dominated by omnivore species which was replaced by insectivorous species at semi-natural, semi-rural and rural-natural sites. The current information corroborates the earlier studies assessing impact of urbanization of birds and Conell’s intermediate disturbance hypothesis of higher richness and diversity at intermediate disturbance.

A long-term study was conducted to understand some aspects of breeding biology of Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) in Changthang, Ladakh. Data on aspects such as the breeding season, courtship, mating, egg laying and incubation period, nest site fidelity, egg morphometry, breeding productivity and recruitment rate were collected between 2003 and 2012. Black-necked crane started arriving from last week of March to first half of April and showed fidelity at ten nesting sites. Courtship and mating peaked early morning (0700 hours), around noon (1100 hours) and in late evening (0600 hours) while the nest building at evening (1600 hours). The egg laying period initiated in May and extended up to July. The average incubation period was 33.88±0.3 days. Hatching success, nest survival rate and fledgling increment rate of the bird were 73.3%, 0.55 ± 0.03 and 0.41 ± 0.02 respectively with an overall breeding productivity of 0.73. The present population of Black-necked crane in Changthang, Ladakh seems to stable with an average recruitment rate of 15.7±1.4.

Microhistology techniques have been used in many studies regarding food habits of herbivores. The absence of detailed reference materials and time consumed in creating reference plant materials for a particular study species and area hampers an understanding and extensive use of the technique. On the other hand, the use of direct sighting procedure of animals to study the dietary spectrum of herbivores is interrupted by tough terrain and harsh climatic condition in the Trans-Himalaya. The current study provides a photographic key for identification of 38 plants species belonging to 35 genera and 21 families. Structures such as types of stomata, trichomes and epidermal cells are discussed for different species of plants collected from Kargil, Ladakh. The given information is expected to help researchers working on feeding ecology of mammals in the Indian Trans-Himalaya.

Information on activity profile of the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and its responses to human interference were lacking. A study following focal animal sampling protocol with individual-follow method and assessment of human interference on dolphin occurrence and behavior was hence conducted. Based on logical reasoning and prior assumptions, dolphin activities were broadly categorized into four types viz., surfacing, movement, chasing/feeding and underwater. Percentage frequencies of occurrence of these activities in dolphin activity budget were 50%, 26%, 6% and 18% with corresponding time allocations of 1%, 60%, 4% and 35%, respectively; without any significant difference between male and female activity patterns (χ2 = 0.832, df = 3, P > 0.05). Five different modes of surfacing were observed with dive-times ranging from 4 to 504 sec and average prey chase-time of 38 (SD = ±29) sec. Human interference had a negative relationship with dolphin presence (β = -0.6398, z = -3...

A study was conducted to assess faunal diversity along a 165-km stretch of the upper Ganges River between Bijnor and Narora cities, Uttar Pradesh, from January to June 2007. Both river and bank species diversity of reptiles, birds and mammals using a combination of boat surveys, linear walks and random searches were inventoried. Presence of 18 species of mammals, 55 species of birds and 13 species of reptiles were recorded from the river stretch including 16 species of global conservation significance. Maximum encounter rate was observed for little cormorant (3.160 plus or minus 0.290), macaque (2.385 plus or minus 0.442) and brown roofed turtle (1.009 plus or minus 0.107). Our study is an attempt towards generating baseline information on the faunal diversity of the upper Ganges and we recommend exhaustive surveys and regular monitoring of this river stretch through indicator species approach.

The present study was conducted along the upper Ganges River between Narora barrages and Anupshahar from January to June 2007. Community interviews were conducted in order to assess the socio-economic profile of the fishermen community, their level of dependence on the river and their attitude towards the conservation of Ganges River Dolphin Platanista gangetica gangetica. The estimated literacy rate from interviews was 45%, and average annual income per household was 27,000 INR (Indian National Rupee). The respondents were found to be well aware of the river biodiversity and believed excessive water extraction and pollution to be the responsible for any perceived decline in the dolphin population. About 55% of the fishermen were found to fish for commercial purposes, and a majority of them (71%) used nylon gill-nets. A majority (94%) of respondents that had boats of their own fished in the middle of the river, an activity often conducted in groups. 12% of respondents reported to have encountered dolphin carcasses. Excessive fishing and dolphin poaching were found to be interrelated; if fishing can be more effectively managed poaching may automatically decline. 41% of the fishermen interviewed were found to be willing to stop fishing providing adequate alternative livelihoods are provided by the government.

The present study was conducted between January and June 2007 to assess the abundance and density of Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) and their prey in a 28-km stretch of the River Ganges between Narora Barrage and Anupshahar. Two different sampling methods were used to estimate dolphin densities. Estimated density was 2.58 ± 0.40 individuals/km2 (mean ± 1 SE) using the direct count method and 4.97 ± 0.60 individuals/km 2 using the boat-based, line-transect distance methods, with an encounter rate of 0.52 ± 0.068 individuals/km and detection probability of 0.647. No significant differences between the upstream and downstream counts (t = 1.29, df = 9, p > 0.05) were detected. The adult male to adult female ratio was 0.66: 1.00, whereas the calf to adult female ratio was 0.42: 1.00. We collected 16 fish species of length class varying from 3.5 to 20 cm (range of preferred size of dolphin prey) with a total density of 176.42 fish/km2 and a total average biomass of 5.36 kg/km 2 . Dolphin density showed a significant positive relationship (R 2 = 0.587) with density of Reba fish (Cirrhinus reba) (β = 0.31, p = 0.00) and Baam fish (Mastacembelus armatus) (β = 0.50, p = 0.04) and also with water depth (β = 0.17, p = 0.03). Presence of dolphins varied across different water depth categories (χ2 = 106.38, df = 3, p < 0.01) and different parts of the river (χ 2 = 21.68, df = 2, p = 0.00) with more than 50% of dolphin sightings occurring in confluences, indicating their preference for deep water pools.