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Bagchi, S., Mishra, C., & Bhatnagar, Y. (2004). Conflicts between traditional pastoralism and conservation of Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) in the Trans-Himalayan mountains. Animal Conservation, 7, 121–128.
Abstract: There is recent evidence to suggest that domestic livestock deplete the density and diversity of wild herbivores in the cold deserts of the Trans-Himalaya by imposing resource limitations. To ascertain the degree and nature of threats faced by Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) from seven livestock species, we studied their resource use patterns over space, habitat and food dimensions in the pastures of Pin Valley National Park in the Spiti region of the Indian Himalaya. Species diet profiles were obtained by direct observations. We assessed the similarity in habitat use and diets of ibex and livestock using Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling. We estimated the influence of the spatial distribution of livestock on habitat and diet choice of ibex by examining their co-occurrence patterns in cells overlaid on the pastures. The observed co-occurrence of ibex and livestock in cells was compared with null-models generated through Monte Carlo simulations. The results suggest that goats and sheep impose resource limitations on ibex and exclude them from certain pastures. In the remaining suitable habitat, ibex share forage with horses. Ibex remained relatively unaffected by other livestock such as yaks, donkeys and cattle. However, most livestock removed large amounts of forage from the pastures (nearly 250 kg of dry matter/day by certain species), thereby reducing forage availability for ibex. Pertinent conservation issues are discussed in the light of multiple-use of parks and current socio-economic transitions in the region, which call for integrating social and ecological feedback into management planning.
Keywords: conflicts; traditional pastoralism; himalayan ibex; ibex; capra sibirica; trans-himalayan mountains; pin valley national park; spiti region; non-metric multidimensional scaling; snow leopard; wolf; wild dog; Lynx; wild ass; Tibetan argali; Tibetan antelope; Tibetan gazelle; urial; bharal; Pin River; pin valley; Parahio; goat; sheep; Cattle; horses; yaks; donkeys; diet; free-ranging horses; herded horses; grazing; 5290
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Bhatnagar, Y. V., Mathur, V. B., & McCarthy, T. (2002). A Regional Perspective for Snow Leopard Conservation In the Indian Trans-Himalaya.. Islt: Islt.
Abstract: The Trans-Himalaya is a vast biogeographic region in the cold and arid rain-shadow of
the Greater Himalaya and is spread over three Indian states. From the conservation standpoint this region has several unique characteristics. Unlike most other biogeographic regions of the country, it has wildlife, including large mammals, spread over the entire region. Another feature is that the harsh climate and topography provides limited agricultural land and pastures, all of which are currently utilized by people. The harsh environment has given rise to a specialized assemblage of flora and fauna in the region that include the endangered snow leopard, a variety of wild sheep and goat, Tibetan antelope, Tibetan gazelle, kiang and wild yak. The snow leopard is one of the most charismatic species of the Trans-Himalaya. This apex predator, with a wide distribution, has ecological importance and international appeal, and is eminently suitable to be used as both a 'flagship' and an 'umbrella species' to anchor and guide conservation efforts in the Trans-Himalayan region. Among the 10 Biogeographic Zones in the country, the Trans-Himalaya has a comparatively large Protected Area (PA) coverage, with over 15,000 km2 (8.2 %) of the geographical area under the network. In spite of this, the bulk of the large mammal populations still exist outside the PAs, which include highly endangered species such as snow leopard, chiru, wild yak, Ladakh urial, kiang and brown bear. Given the sparse resource availability in the Trans-Himalaya and the existing human use patterns, there are few alternatives that can be provided to resource dependent human communities in and around PAs. The existing PAs themselves pose formidable conservation challenges and a further increase in their extent is impractical. The problem is further compounded by the fact that some of the large PAs have unclear boundaries and include vast stretches that do not have any direct wildlife values. These issues call for an alternative strategy for conservation of the Trans-Himalayan tracts based on a regional perspective, which includes reconciling conservation with development. In this paper we stress that conservation issues of this region, such as competition for forage between wild and domestic herbivores and human-wildlife conflicts need to be addressed in a participatory manner. We suggest an alternative scheme to look at the zonation of existing PAs and also the Trans-Himalayan region as a whole, to facilitate better conservation in the region. Also, we emphasize that there is a vital need for additional resources and a formal setup for regional planning and management under a centrally sponsored scheme such as the 'Project Snow Leopard'. |
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Bhatnagar, Y. V. (2008). Relocation from wildlife reserves in the Greater and Trans-Himalayas: Is it necessary? (Vol. 6).
Abstract: The Greater and Trans-Himalayan tracts are cold deserts that have severe seasonal and resource scarce environments. Covering the bulk of Indian Himalayas, they are a rich repository of biodiversity values and ecosystem services. The region has a large protected area (PA) network which has not been completely effective in conserving these unique values. The human population densities are much lower (usually < 1 per sq km) than in most other parts of the country (over 300 to a sq km). However, even such small populations can come into conflict with strict PA laws that demand large inviolate areas, which can mainly be achieved through relocation of the scattered settlements. In this paper, I reason that in this landscape relocation is not a tenable strategy for conservation due to a variety of reasons. The primary ones are that wildlife, including highly endangered ones are pervasive in the larger landscape (unlike the habitat 'islands' of the forested ecosystems) and existing large PAs usually encompass only a small proportion of this range. Similarly, traditional use by people for marginal cultivation, biomass extraction and pastoralism is also as pervasive in this landscape. There does exist pockets of conflict and these are probably increasing owing to a variety of changes relating to modernisation. However, scarce resources, the lack of alternatives and the traditional practice of clear-cut division of all usable areas and pastures between communities make resettlement of people outside PAs extremely difficult. It is reasoned that given the widespread nature of the wildlife and pockets of relatively high density, it is important to prioritise these smaller areas for conservation in a scenario where they form a mosaic of small 'cores' that are more effectively maintained with local support and that enable wildlife to persist. These ideas have recently gained widespread acceptance in both government and conservation circles and may soon become part of national strategy for these areas.
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Burrard, G. (1925). Big Game Hunting in the Himalayas and Tibet. London: H. Jenkinns.
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Chundawat, R. S. (1993). Studies on Snow Leopard and Prey Species in Hemis National Park (Vol. xi). Seattle: Islt.
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Dhungel, S. (1994). Conservation of the Snow Leopard in Nepal. In J. L. Fox, & D. Jezing (Eds.), (pp. 47–50). Usa: Islt.
Keywords: Nepal; conservation; livestock; herder; herders; poaching; hunting; pelts; fur; coat; skin; distribution; status; behavior; predator; prey; breeding; Himalaya; park; parks; reserve; refuge; protected-area; biology; habitat; scent; spray; tracks; scrapes; home-range; mating; bharal; blue-sheep; goral; tahr; musk-deer; blue; sheep; browse; musk; deer; 3030
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Fox, J., Nurbu, C., Bhatt, S., & Chandola, A. (1994). Wildlife conservation and land-use changes in the Transhimalayan region of Ladakh, India (Vol. 14).
Abstract: Changes in economy and land use are under way in the Indian Transhimalayan region of Ladakh, creating both negative and positive prospects for wildlife conservation in this sparsely populations and previously remote area. New livestock breeds, irrigation developments, farming practices, foreign tourists, and a large military presence are changing the way people view and use the mountainous land that surrounds them. With only 0.3% of the land currently arable, changes in wildlife and natural resource conservation are most apparent on Ladakh's extensive rangelands which are apparently undergoing a redistribution of use associated with social changes and recently introduced animal husbandry and farming practices. International endangered species such as the snow leopard, several wild ungulates, and the black-necked crane provide special incentive for conservation efforts in what are some of the best remaining natural areas in the mountainous regions to the north of the Himalayan crest. The success of newly created protected areas for wildlife conservation in Ladakh rests on an understanding of the effects of various development directions, a commitment to environmentally sensitive development amid the many competing demands on Ladakh's natural resources, conservation laws appropriate to human needs, and a clear recognition that solutions can be neither directly adaptable from other mountainous areas nor even widely applicable across the Himalayan region.
Keywords: conservation; India; Ladakh; land use; livstock; protected area; transhimalayan; Transhimalayan-Region
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Fox, J. L., Sinya, S. P., Chundawat, R. S., & Das, P. K. (1986). A Survey of Snow Leopard and Associated Species in the Himalaya of Northwestern India, Project Completion Report.
Keywords: Himalaya; India; prey; distribution; Arunachal; Jammu; Himachal-Pradesh; Uttar-Pradesh; Sikkim; hunting; poaching; pelts; livestock; surveys; field-work; herders; herding; parks; preserves; reserves; habiatat; conflict; human-interaction; behaviour; sanctuaries; scrapes; sprays; tracks; browse; 4220
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Fox, J. L., Sinha, S. P., Chundawat R.S., & Das, P. K. (1988). A Field Survey of Snow Leopard Presence and Habitat use in Northwestern India. In H.Freeman (Ed.), (pp. 99–111). India: International Snow Leoaprd Trust and Wildlife Institute of India.
Abstract: During November 1985 through July1996, a survey of snow leopard presence and ecology was conducted in selected areas of the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh in north-western India. The study was carried out under the auspices of the Wildlife Institute of India in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the International Snow Leopard Trust. The objectives of the survey were essentially determine the relative presence of the snow leopard and its associated prey species,investigate human interaction with the snow leopard and select an appropriate site for more intensive studies of the snow leopard and its ecosystem.
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Fox, J. L., & Nurbu, C. (1990). Hemis, a national park for snow leopards in India's Trans-Himalaya. Int.Pedigree Book of Snow Leopards, 6, 71–84.
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