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Author (up) Bagchi, S., Mishra, C., Bhatnagar, Y.V., McCarthy, T.
Title Out of Steppe? Pastoralism and ibex conservation in Spiti. Type Report
Year 2002 Publication CERC Technical Report No. 7 Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords steppe, snow leopard, pastoral, conservation, ibex, Spiti, India
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Nature Conservation Foundation, India; Wildlife Institute of India, International Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ Serial 1274
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Author (up) Bagchi, S., Sharma, R. K., Bhatnagar, Y.V.
Title Change in snow leopard predation on livestock after revival of wild prey in the Trans-Himalaya Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Wildlife Biology Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-11
Keywords arid ecosystems, diet analysis, human-wildlife conflict, Panthera, predator, rangeland
Abstract Human–wildlife conflict arising from livestock-losses to large carnivores is an important challenge faced by conservation. Theory of prey–predator interactions suggests that revival of wild prey populations can reduce predator’s dependence on livestock in multiple-use landscapes. We explore whether 10-years of conservation efforts to revive wild prey could reduce snow leopard’s Panthera uncia consumption of livestock in the coupled human-and-natural Trans-Himalayan ecosystem of northern India. Starting in 2001, concerted conservation efforts at one site (intervention) attempted recovery of wild- prey populations by creating livestock-free reserves, accompanied with other incentives (e.g. insurance, vigilant herding). Another site, 50km away, was monitored as status quo without any interventions. Prey remains in snow leopard scats were examined periodically at five-year intervals between 2002 and 2012 to determine any temporal shift in diet at both sites to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation interventions. Consumption of livestock increased at the status quo site, while it decreased at the intervention-site. At the intervention-site, livestock-consumption reduced during 2002–2007 (by 17%, p = 0.06); this effect was sustained during the next five-year interval, and it was accompanied by a persistent increase in wild prey populations. Here we also noted increased predator populations, likely due to immigration into the study area. Despite the increase in the predator population, there was no increase in livestock-consumption. In contrast, under status quo, dependence on livestock increased during both five-year intervals (by 7%, p=0.08, and by 16%, p=0.01, respectively). These contrasts between the trajectories of the two sites suggest that livestock-loss can potentially be reduced through the revival of wild prey. Further, accommodating counter-factual scenarios may be an important step to infer whether conservation efforts achieve their targets, or not.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1623
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Author (up) Bagchi, S.; Mishra, C.; Bhatnagar, Y.
Title Conflicts between traditional pastoralism and conservation of Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica) in the Trans-Himalayan mountains Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Animal Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 7 Issue Pages 121-128
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
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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Document Type: English Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 514 Serial 106
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Author (up) Bhatnagar, Y.V.
Title Project Snow Leopard Type Conference Article
Year 2010 Publication Nature Without Borders Abbreviated Journal
Volume 613 Issue Pages 44-48
Keywords
Abstract Nature Without Borders: a symposium on innovative approaches to conserving nature and wildlife. http://www.india-seminar.com/2010/613.htm

IN January 2009, the Ministry of Environment and Forests launched an ambitious conservation programme called Project Snow Leopard for the Indian high altitude areas. This was a unique endeavour that was catalyzed by a voluntary organization, with active participation of the five Himalayan state governments, the ministry and a select group of organizations and individuals in a consultative process which lasted close to four years. Given, however, a good representation of wildlife protected areas in the high altitudes (over 9% for the Trans Himalaya), the question is why was such a scheme required; what were the attributes of the region that necessitated an alternative strategy? This article discusses the salient features of the snow leopard initiative and the challenges ahead.
Address http://www.india-seminar.com/2010/613/613yashveer_bhatnagar.htm
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication India Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Nature Without Borders
Notes Author from: Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore and Snow Leopard Trust-India Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ Serial 1137
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Author (up) Bhatnagar, Y.V.
Title Relocation from wildlife reserves in the Greater and Trans-Himalayas: Is it necessary? Type Miscellaneous
Year 2008 Publication Conservation and Society Abbreviated Journal
Volume 6 Issue 3 Pages 263-270
Keywords wildlife reserves,relocation,Greater Himalayas,Trans-Himalayas; wildlife; reserves; relocation; Himalayas; Himalaya; trans-himalaya; transhimalaya
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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 914 Serial 138
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Author (up) Bhatnagar, Y.V.
Title Ranging and Habitat Use by Himalayan Ibex (Capra ibex sibirica) in Pin Valley National Park Type Book Whole
Year 1997 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords ibex; India; predator; prey; potected-area; parks; reserves; Pin-valley; browse; protected; area; 1850
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis Ph.D. thesis
Publisher Saurashtra University Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Place of Publication: Rajkot, India Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 301 Serial 135
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Author (up) Bhatnagar, Y.V.; Mathur, V.B.; McCarthy, T.
Title A Regional Perspective for Snow Leopard Conservation In the Indian Trans-Himalaya Type Conference Article
Year 2002 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords snow; leopard; India; indian; Himalaya; Himalayan; conservation; region; regional; climate; topography; flora; fauna; Tibet; tibetan; protected; area; planning; management; manage; biogeographic; gazelle; kiang; yak; predator; 4900
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'.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Islt Place of Publication Islt Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Title, Monographic: Proceedings of the Snow Leopard Survival SummitPlace of Meeting: Seattle,WA Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 476 Serial 137
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Author (up) Bhatnagar, Y.V.; Stakrey, R.W.; Jackson, R.
Title A Survey of Depredation and Related Wildlife-Human Conflicts in Hemis National Park, Ladakh (India) Type Miscellaneous
Year 2000 Publication Snow Line Abbreviated Journal
Volume xvi Issue Pages 3
Keywords Jammu; Kashmir; Ladakh; conflicts; herders; livestock; predator; prey; grazing; ungulates; economics; Hemis; browse; 4430
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Islt Place of Publication Seattle Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Full Text at URLJournal Title: Snowline Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rana @ 431 Serial 136
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Author (up) Ghoshal, A., Bhatnagar, Y. V., Pandav, B., Sharma, K., Mshra, C.
Title Assessing changes in distribution of the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia and its wild prey over 2 decades in the Indian Himalaya through interviewbased occupancy surveys Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Oryx Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-13
Keywords Asiatic ibex, blue sheep, carnivore, occupancy, snow leopard, survey, threat, ungulate
Abstract Understanding species distributions, patterns of

change and threats can form the basis for assessing the conservation

status of elusive species that are difficult to survey.

The snow leopard Panthera uncia is the top predator of the

Central and South Asian mountains. Knowledge of the distribution

and status of this elusive felid and its wild prey is

limited. Using recall-based key-informant interviews we estimated

site use by snow leopards and their primary wild

prey, blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and Asiatic ibex Capra

sibirica, across two time periods (past: &#63281;&#63289;&#63288;&#63285;&#65533;&#63281;&#63289;&#63289;&#63282;; recent:

&#63282;&#63280;&#63280;&#63288;&#65533;&#63282;&#63280;&#63281;&#63282;) in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. We

also conducted a threat assessment for the recent period.

Probability of site use was similar across the two time periods

for snow leopards, blue sheep and ibex, whereas for wild

prey (blue sheep and ibex combined) overall there was an

&#63288;% contraction. Although our surveys were conducted in

areas within the presumed distribution range of the snow

leopard, we found snow leopards were using only &#63287;&#63285;% of

the area (&#63281;&#63284;,&#63286;&#63281;&#63286; km&#63282;). Blue sheep and ibex had distinct distribution

ranges. Snow leopards and their wild prey were not

restricted to protected areas, which encompassed only &#63281;&#63287;%

of their distribution within the study area. Migratory livestock

grazing was pervasive across ibex distribution range

and was the most widespread and serious conservation

threat. Depredation by free-ranging dogs, and illegal hunting

and wildlife trade were the other severe threats. Our

results underscore the importance of community-based, landscape-

scale conservation approaches and caution against reliance

on geophysical and opinion-based distribution maps that have been used to estimate national and global snow leopard ranges.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1463
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Author (up) Murali, R., Lkhagvajav, P., Saeed, U., Kizi, V. A., Nawaz, M. A., Bhatnagar, Y. V., Sharma, K., Mishra, C.
Title VALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN SNOW LEOPARD LANDSCAPES OF ASIA Type Report
Year 2017 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-46
Keywords
Abstract Snow leopards occur in Asia&#65533;s high mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Pamir, Tien Shan, Kunlun, Altai and Sayan. In all the 12 countries where they occur, snow leopards face intensifying threats to their survival, including habitat fragmentation and degradation due to increasing human populations, mining and developmental projects, poaching and illegal wildlife trade, weak law enforcement, inadequate involvement of local people in conservation efforts, and depletion of natural prey populations due to hunting by people and overgrazing by livestock.

To address the urgent needs of conservation of the snow leopard and the sustainable development of mountain peoples, the Governments of snow leopard range countries came together and agreed to invest efforts to conserve snow leopards in 23 large landscapes across its range under the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP).

These landscapes where the snow leopards occur are inhabited by agro-pastoral and pastoral peoples who depend on well functioning ecosystems for ecosystem services, i.e., the benefits that humans derive from nature. Many threats that impact snow leopards also impact the well-being of people living in these landscapes. However, till date, there have been no studies that have attempted to quantify peoples&#65533; dependence on ecosystem services in snow leopard landscapes, or understand the impacts that alternate land-use decisions such as mining or infrastructure can have on the ecosystem services and on the local people who are dependent on them.

In this report, we provide the first assessment of the economic value of provisioning ecosystem services &#65533; the material goods from ecosystems &#65533; used by local people in five study sites from four GSLEP landscapes: Spiti Valley and Changtang region of Ladakh in India&#65533;s Hemis-Spiti Landscape, Gurez Valley in the Himalayan Landscape of Pakistan, Tost Nature Reserve in the South Gobi Landscape of Mongolia, and the Sarychat region in the Central Tien Shan Landscape of Kyrgyzstan. In study sites that had both pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, we estimated ecosystem services separately for the two production systems.The average value (± SE) of ecosystem services per household amongst the agro-pastoral

communities of Gurez Valley (4125 ± 190 USD/HH/yr) was 2.5 times the average local household income. In the agro-pastoral communities of Spiti Valley (3964 ± 334.8 USD/HH/yr) it was 3.6 times the average local household income, while it was 3.7 times amongst the agro-pastoral communities of Changtang (15083 ± 1656 USD/HH/yr). Amongst the pastoral communities, the value of ecosystem services used by households was several times higher than the average household income: it was 26.1 times amongst the pastoral communities of Changtang (79303 ± 9204 USD HH/yr), 38.7 times among communities in Tost Nature Reserve (150100 ± 13290 USD/HH/yr), and 7.4 times among the pastoral communities of Sarychat (25473 ± 5236 USD/HH/yr). It was lower, although still substantial at 0.6 times, for the downstream agro-pastoral communities living outside the landscape boundary in Sarychat (2094 ± 189 USD/HH/yr).

Our work reveals substantially high levels of dependence of local communities on ecosystem services provided by snow leopard landscapes of Asia. The estimated economic value of provisioning ecosystem services used by human households in these landscapes ranged from 0.6 to up to 40 times the local annual household incomes. This economic support that nature provides people is critical for humanity but remains hidden and unaccounted for. Land use change decisions, especially those that are damaging for nature and biodiversity, must start accounting for the value of ecosystem services in their cost-benefit analyses.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1458
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