DOCSLIB.ORG

Indian Rhino Vision 2020 Update 5 December 2008 Background The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Indian Rhino Vision 2020 Update 5 December 2008 Background The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 Update 5 December 2008 Background The greater one-horned rhino is one of the two greatest success stories in rhino conservation (the other one being the southern white rhino in South Africa). With strict and adaptive protection from Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities, greater one- horned rhino numbers have recovered from fewer than 20 in the early 1900s to around 2,700-2,800 today. However, poaching pressure has remained high and this recovery is precarious without increased and accelerated support for conservation efforts in India and Nepal. The stronghold of the greater one-horned rhino is the Indian state of Assam, which holds more than 2,000 animals. The species’ recovery to 1855 in Kaziranga National Park, 68 in Orang National Park and 81 in Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary has been led by the Assam Forest Department. While these three areas experienced conservation successes, two other areas, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary and Manas National Park, did not experience the same success. Social unrest led to the extermination of rhinos by poachers in the 1980s and 1990s. The land, however, remained intact under the control of the Forest Department. With a new sociopolitical system in place that included autonomy given to local people in the form of Bodoland Territorial District Council, the support from the local communities was garnered to restore Manas back to its past status as a World Heritage Site. In 2005, the Assam Forest explored the possibility of restoring the Manas rhino population with the International Rhino Foundation, WWF-India and the US Fish and Wildlife Service by creating an ambitious project, Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020). The IRV 2020 goal is to increase the total rhino population in Assam from about 2,000 to 3,000 over the next 15 years (i.e., by 2020) and, just as significantly, ensure that these rhinos are distributed over at least seven Protected Areas to provide long-term viability of an Assam metapopulation of rhino. The first phase of the 15-year project was originally scheduled to last 3 years (July 2005 to June 2008), with intermediate objectives to: • Improve rhino protection in all sources and target protected areas; and • Translocate 20-30 rhino from Pabitora and Kaziranga to Manas National Park where they will be protected and monitored. As part of IRV 2020, the Government of Assam constituted a Rhino Task Force, incorporating conservationists from diverse background, including government, local communities, and NGOs, to implement the project. Current Status of IRV 2020 In the first of many translocations planned under IRV 2020, on April 11th 2008, two male rhinos were translocated from Pabitora to Manas National Park. The rhinos were released into the area within the red boundary on the map below. We anticipate that at least 18 more animals will be moved to Manas National Park. At present, plans are to dart 2.6 animals from Pabitora and 3.7 from Kaziranga and translocate suitable candidates. The translocations will commence in early 2009, after the rainy season. The last meeting of the IRV 2020 Task Force was held on 15 October 2008 at the Assam State Zoo. A decision was taken to start the electric fencing work in the southern boundary of Manas (see below) and accordingly Mr. Tariq Aziz (WWF-India) has taken the responsibility to find suitable company having experience in putting the electric fence. It was also decided to more actively pursue acquisition of tranquilizing drugs, which the Indian Government buys in bulk quantities. The license to buy the drugs is only given to Nandankanan Zoo in India and to Wildlife Institute of India. Both of them purchase the drugs on as as-needed basis according to annual requests by the Forest Department. If the drugs are in place, by early January the translocation of the 18 rhinos will occur. A need for community awareness around Manas was also stressed in the task force meeting keeping in mind the potential for rhino-human conflict as the rhinos move about within (and sometimes outside of) the Park boundaries. Challenges to-date in Manas The two male rhinos from Pabitora were released in the area within the red boundary on the map above on 12 April 2008. However, both males began breaching the southern boundary of the park almost immediately. Three local villagers outside the Park were injured in July 2008. On 1 September, one of the male rhinos strayed out of the Park about 50 km east, almost reaching another Protected Area, Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary. The animal was closely followed by park guards. It took 2 weeks to bring the rhino back to Manas from the area where it strayed out, largely because of floods which made it difficult to find a safe place to immobilize the animal for transport. On 14 September, the rhino were darted and the next day was returned to the Park, where it was placed into a small boma with an electrified fence. This boma is part of a facility maintained by the Wildlife Trust of India and Assam Forest Department, used as holding for four female rescued rhinos. The straying male not only was in danger but the Forest Department incurred costs over US$ 7,000 for efforts made to bring the animal back to Manas. Considering this, as well as plans to translocate 18 more rhinos into Manas in coming winter, a decision was made either to erect an 8.9-km electric fence around 5 km2 of grassland and water bodies adjoining the existing small electric fence (see map on following page) or erecting electric fence in entire southern boundary of the Manas NP. The majority of the funds for this fencing are in hand, and the fence construction will begin in December 2008. IRV 2020 efforts will also be strengthened by more emphasis on community engagement. The IRV 2020 partners plan to select communities from eastern and central part of Manas to enable them to participate in orientation camps and field visits to the Park to increase their enthusiasm about wildlife conservation and to seek their active support and cooperation in re-building Manas National Park. Orang National Park Greater one-horned rhinos have done exceptionally well in Orang National Park, increasing from 46 in 2000 to 68 in early 2008. The figure below shows losses from natural causes and from poaching in Orang National Park from 1987 through 2007. Poaching and Natural Death in Orang NP Poaching Natural Death 14 12 10 8 6 Number 4 2 0 "1987" "1988" "1989" "1990" "1991" "1992" "1993" "1994" "1995" "1996" "1997" "1998" "1999" "2000" "2001" "2002" "2003" "2004" "2005" "2006" "2007" Year While poaching has been slowed in Orang National Park since the late 1990s, there has been a recent spate of poaching in a number of Indian parks, including Kaziranga and Orang National Parks. Eight rhinos have been lost in Kaziranga thus far in 2008, and six rhinos have been poached in Orang. Therefore, the highest priority need for 2008 in Orang National Park has been to improve monitoring and protection of the rhino population, and to improve the ability of rhino protection personnel to quickly respond to poaching incidents. Accordingly, on 28 November 2008, 31 bicycles and two motorbikes were presented to Orang National Park, funded by Zoo Basel’s contribution. Activities to take place in late 2008-early 2009 are: • Training of field officers and anti-poaching staff to fight poaching and to enhance the morale of the staff. Retired Army officers or police officers will be trainers, along with some legal experts. • Purchase of a speed boat to improve anti-poaching capacity on the river. • Ensuring that adequate fuel is available for increased, active patrolling. • Purchase of search lights to more readily spot potential poachers and wildlife at night. • Purchase of several metal detectors to be used periodically within and outside the Park to determine whether poachers are burying their arms for re-use in subsequent crimes. Poachers often keep their arms buried under the soil to evade raids by enforcement agencies. • Support for forest and national park staff to travel to courts to follow up on poaching cases. • Purchase of additional uniforms (caps, shirts, sturdy shoes) for forest guards. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Asian Ibas & Ramsar Sites Cover
    ■ INDIA RAMSAR CONVENTION CAME INTO FORCE 1982 RAMSAR DESIGNATION IS: NUMBER OF RAMSAR SITES DESIGNATED (at 31 August 2005) 19 Complete in 11 IBAs AREA OF RAMSAR SITES DESIGNATED (at 31 August 2005) 648,507 ha Partial in 5 IBAs ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FOR RAMSAR CONVENTION Special Secretary, Lacking in 159 IBAs Conservation Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests India is a large, biologically diverse and densely populated pressures on wetlands from human usage, India has had some country. The wetlands on the Indo-Gangetic plains in the north major success stories in wetland conservation; for example, of the country support huge numbers of breeding and wintering Nalabana Bird Sanctuary (Chilika Lake) (IBA 312) was listed waterbirds, including high proportions of the global populations on the Montreux Record in 1993 due to sedimentation problem, of the threatened Pallas’s Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Sarus but following successful rehabilitation it was removed from the Crane Grus antigone and Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis. Record and received the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award The Assam plains in north-east India retain many extensive in 2002. wetlands (and associated grasslands and forests) with large Nineteen Ramsar Sites have been designated in India, of which populations of many wetland-dependent bird species; this part 16 overlap with IBAs, and an additional 159 potential Ramsar of India is the global stronghold of the threatened Greater Sites have been identified in the country. Designated and potential Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius, and supports important populations Ramsar Sites are particularly concentrated in the following major of the threatened Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Lesser wetland regions: in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, two designated Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, White-winged Duck Cairina Ramsar Sites overlap with IBAs and there are six potential scutulata and wintering Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri.
    [Show full text]
  • National Parks in India (State Wise)
    National Parks in India (State Wise) Andaman and Nicobar Islands Rani Jhansi Marine National Park Campbell Bay National Park Galathea National Park Middle Button Island National Park Mount Harriet National Park South Button Island National Park Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park North Button Island National ParkSaddle Peak National Park Andhra Pradesh Papikonda National Park Sri Venkateswara National Park Arunachal Pradesh Mouling National Park Namdapha National Park Assam Dibru-Saikhowa National Park Orang National Park Manas National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Centre) Nameri National Park Kaziranga National Park (Famous for Indian Rhinoceros, UNESCO World Heritage Centre) Bihar Valmiki National Park Chhattisgarh Kanger Ghati National Park Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park Indravati National Park Goa Mollem National Park Gujarat Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch Vansda National Park Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar Gir Forest National Park Haryana WWW.BANKINGSHORTCUTS.COM WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BANKINGSHORTCUTS 1 National Parks in India (State Wise) Kalesar National Park Sultanpur National Park Himachal Pradesh Inderkilla National Park Khirganga National Park Simbalbara National Park Pin Valley National Park Great Himalayan National Park Jammu and Kashmir Salim Ali National Park Dachigam National Park Hemis National Park Kishtwar National Park Jharkhand Hazaribagh National Park Karnataka Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park Nagarhole National Park Kudremukh National Park Bannerghatta National Park (Bannerghatta Biological Park)
    [Show full text]
  • National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) HIMALAYAN RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (FORMAT for the PROGRESS REPORT) [Reporting Period: Till December 2018]
    National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) HIMALAYAN RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (FORMAT FOR THE PROGRESS REPORT) [Reporting Period: Till December 2018] Name of the Institution/ University: Gauhati University No. of Himalayan Research/Project Associate: 2 No. of Himalayan Junior Research/Project Fellows: 5 Himalayan Research/Associate H-RAs Profile Description: S. No. Name of RA Date of Joining Name of the PI Qualification 1. Anjan Sangma 14.08.2018 Prof. Prasanta Kumar M.Sc. in Zoology with Saikia, Prof. & Head specialization in Department of Animal Ecology and Zoology, Gauhati Wildlife Biology University 2. Joydev Mandal 14.08.2018 Prof. Prasanta Kumar M.Sc. in Zoology with Saikia, Prof. & Head specialization in Department of Animal Ecology and Zoology, Gauhati Wildlife Biology University Progress Report: To be filled for each HRA in separate row. RA No. Research Achievements Addressed Deliverables Location of Field Site Objectives with Details, if any 1. 1. What are the species Started field work in Eleven fish species has been Manas Biosphere reserve, found in the hill stream Manas National Park sampled and identified in field, Sonai Rupai WLS and Nameri located inside Manas after brief Manas National Park National Park Biosphere reserve, standardization of survey Sonai Rupai WLS and methods from Nameri National Park in September,2018. the North Bank Landscape of River Brahmaputra on the foothills of Eastern Himalaya ? 2. What are the habitats of these fish NMHS Fellowship Grant Page 1 of 5 fauna found in the target study area? 3. What are the food and feeding regime of certain selected species in the study area? 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Pranjit Kumar Sarma
    HABITAT SUITABILITY FOR RHINO {Rhinoceros unicornis) AND UTILIZATION PATTERN IN RAJIV GANDHI ORANG NATIONAL PARK OF ASSAM BY PRANJIT KUMAR SARMA THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN GEOGRAPHY 2010 DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY SCHOOL OF HUMAN & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE NORTH EASTERN HILL UNIVERSITY SHILLONG - 793 022 INTRODUCTION The forests are identified as one of the major natural resources in India having immense influence directly or indirectly on the biosphere. These forest covers are disappearing due to merciless felling of trees and extensive grazing and other human related activities. Areas of human settlement, agriculture and industries are expanding at the expense of wildlife habitat. These threats can be overcome by an effective and efficient management of the forests which, in turn, depends on reliable and up to date information on forest resources and wildlife habitats. Remote sensing, with its synoptic coverage and finer spatial, spectral, temporal and radiometric resolution, is found to be an effective tool for collecting information on forest resources. Such satellite driven database may relate to forest type, crown density, biomass, habitat evaluation of wildlife, etc. The application of geo-spatial technology in wildlife habitat evaluation and habitat suitability analysis is a relatively young discipline. Ma^y studies have revealed that geo-spatial technology is quite useful for wildlife habitat evaluation and habitat suitability analysis. At the same time conservation biologists and managers need a range of both classical analyses and specific modem tools to face the increasing threats to biodiversity. In this current study an attempt has been made to evaluate the rhino habitat, its seasonal variation of habitat utilization pattern and habitat suitability assessment of Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park (hereafter, written as RG Orang NP) using geo-spatial technology.
    [Show full text]
  • List of National Parks in India
    www.gradeup.co List of National Parks in India Protected areas of India • These are defined according to the guidelines prescribed by IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature). • There are mainly four types of protected areas which are- (a) National Park (b) Wildlife Sanctuaries (c) Conservation reserves (d) Community reserves (a) National Park • Classified as IUCN category II • Any area notified by state govt to be constituted as a National Park • There are 104 national parks in India. • First national park in India- Jim Corbett National Park (previously known as Hailey National Park) • No human activity/ rights allowed except for the ones permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state. • It covered 1.23 Percent geographical area of India (b) Wildlife Sanctuaries • Classified as IUCN category II • Any area notified by state govt to be constituted as a wildlife sanctuary. • Certain rights are available to the people. Example- grazing etc. • There are 543 wildlife sanctuaries in India. • It covered 3.62 Percent geographical area of India (c) Conservation reserves • These categories added in Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002. • Buffer zones between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests of India. • Uninhabited and completely owned by the Government. • It covered 0.08 Percent geographical area of India (d) Community reserves • These categories added in Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002. • Buffer zones between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests of India. • Used for subsistence by communities and community areas because part of the land is privately owned. • It covered 0.002 Percent geographical area of India Act related to wildlife 1 www.gradeup.co • Wildlife Protection Act 1972 • It is applicable to whole India except Jammu and Kashmir which have their own law for wildlife protection.
    [Show full text]
  • 1999-2000 Summary Report
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Rhinoceros & Tiger Conservation Act Summary Report 1999-2000 “The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.” Cover: Black rhino © Corel Professional Photo Rhinoceros & Tiger Conservation Act Summary Report 1999-2000 Above: Page from storybook on Vietnamese rhino produced with support from the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund. See page 17. ©Ina Becker and Trung Dung, Cat Tien National Park Conservation Project Introduction “The tiger is Rhinos and tigers are grand beasts! Their charisma included them in the heritage of more than a many cultures. They have made their way into storybooks, religions, medicines, and charismatic ad campaigns. In their native habitats they predator: it represent beauty, power, grace, and a world kept in balance by the forces of is a keystone nature rather than the whims of man. species in its However, our attraction to these species environment. and their habitats also threatens their existence. It has led to their killing for By saving the trophies and medicines and to the fragmentation and outright destruction of tiger in the their habitat by people seeking timber and world, we save land resources. They are now among the world’s most endangered species. complex ecosystems and habitats that would other- wise be destroyed in the relentless march of human need and, all too often, greed.” Richard Burge Riding theTiger* *Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press Left: Large blocks of the Amur tiger’s forest habitat remain in northern China adjacent to Russian tiger habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Sundarban Tiger - a New Prey Species of Estaurine Crocodile at Sundarban Tiger Reserve, India
    REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (RAP), BANGKOK January-March 2012 FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Regional Quarterly Bulletin on Wildlife and National Parks Management Vol. XXXIX: No. 1 Featuring Vol. XXVI: No. 1 Contents Sundarban Tiger - a new prey species of estaurine crocodile at Sundarban Tiger Reserve, India....................................1 Some observations on white-bellied sea eagle in Bhitarkanika National Park..............................................6 Swertia in Nepal Himalaya - Present status and agenda for sustainable management.....................................................10 Migrating urban birds and changing landscapes in India........ 14 A rapid survey of small mammals from Northern Tamrau Nature Reserve, Papua................................................... 20 Note to readers..................................................................31 Diversity of freshwater turtles in Orang National Park..........24 REGIONAL OFFICE Sighting of red-necked keelback in Similipal Tiger Reserve....31 FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC TIGERPAPER is a quarterly news bulletin Developing Earth Ambassadors in the Philippines through dedicated to the exchange of information the Kids-to-Forests Initiative............................................ 1 relating to wildlife and national parks management for the A boost for teak plantations............................................... 3 Asia-Pacific Region. First Announcement - World Teak Conference 2013............ 4 ISSN 1014 - 2789 Advancing reduced
    [Show full text]
  • PROTECTED AREA UPDATE News and Information from Protected Areas in India and South Asia
    PROTECTED AREA UPDATE News and Information from protected areas in India and South Asia Vol. XIII No. 6 December 2007 (No. 70) LIST OF CONTENTS FD opposes erection of electric poles inside EDITORIAL 2 Nagarhole NP Wetlands in Focus 25 tigers counted in Bandipur TR; 14 in Nagarhole NEWS FROM INDIAN STATES Elephant population dips in Karnataka Andhra Pradesh 3 Six new species found in Kudremukh NP Golden Gecko sighted in Papikonda WLS Kerala 11 Arunachal Pradesh 3 New peacock sanctuary at Choolannur, conservation WWF, Army for conservation of Arunachal reserve at Kadalundi Pradesh wildlife and forests New ‘Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary’ to cover forests Assam 3 of Kozhikode and Wayanad districts Survey for herpetofauna in and around Barail Madhya Pradesh 11 Wildlife Sanctuary MP bans polythene in national parks Rs 1cr sought for Kaziranga NP MP Forest Department goes hi-tech 18 rhinos killed in and around Kaziranga in first Low male-female crocodile ratio in the National 10 months of 2007 Chambal Sanctuary causes concern Watchtowers constructed to warn of elephant Maharashtra 12 raids near Kaziranga New spider found in Melghat TR Cycle squads to counter poachers in Manas Dummy traps to train forest staff in Pench TR FD for sanctuary status for Urpad Beel Orissa 12 Call to declare Sareswar Beel a sanctuary Tourism promotion in Satkosia WLS Staff shortage plagues Orang NP Mechanised boats banned at Gahirmatha for turtle Bihar 6 nesting season Retired army personnel for Valmiki TR Ban on NTFP collection causes of collapse of haat protection system in Sunabeda WLS; local tribals Gujarat 6 adversely affected Squads to identify electrified fences in Gir GIS mapping to trace elephant movement in Jammu & Kashmir 6 Chandaka Dampara WLS Hangul population between 117 and 190 Simlipal TR opened to visitors from Nov.
    [Show full text]
  • Milestones-2009 41
    MILESTONES-2009 1 FORTY YEARS OF WWF-INDIA MILESTONES-2009 CONTENTS Our Mission ............................................................................ 4 President’s Notes..................................................................... 5 From the SG and CEO .............................................................. 5 Biodiversity Conservation .................................... 7 Species Conservation: Red Panda .............................................................................. 8 Gangetic River Dolphin ............................................................ 9 Indian Rhino ........................................................................... 10 Asiatic Lion ............................................................................. 10 Snow Leopard ......................................................................... 11 Community Involvement in Biodiversity Conservation Wildlife Corridor Restoration.................................................... 12 Salt Tolerant Paddy ............................................................... 12 Solid Waste Management ........................................................ 13 Reducing Subsistence use of Fuel Wood ............................ 14 Reducing Commercial Fuel Wood Consumption Sustainable Lemon Grass Oil Production .................................. Changing Perceptions through Education Integrating Pardhi Tribals ..................................................... 16 Jal Pathshala ..........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Neora Valley - a New Short-Listed World Heritage Site
    REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (RAP), BANGKOK July-September 2010 FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Regional Quarterly Bulletin on Wildlife and National Parks Management Vol. XXXVII : No. 3 Asia-PacificSpecial ForestryIssue Sector Outlook Study II Featuring Vol. XXIV: No. 3 Contents Examining certain aspects of human-tiger conflict in the Sundarbans Forest, Bangladesh........................................ 1 Neora Valley - A new short-listed World Heritage site............ 12 Behavioural observations on free-ranging rhesus to python dummy.......................................................................... 17 Peramelidae mammal species in the northern part of Manokwari, West Papua.................................................. 19 Maternal attachment-dead infant carrying in Hanuman langur around Jodhpur.................................................... 24 Anthropogenic threat to gaur in Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary... 30 First record of Eurasian otter in Rajiv Gandhi Orang REGIONAL OFFICE National Park..................................................................32 FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC TIGERPAPER is a quarterly news bulletin dedicated to the exchange of information relating to wildlife and national parks management for the Asia-Pacific Region. ISSN 1014 - 2789 Spotlight on APFSOS II The future of forests and forestry in Asia-Pacific?................. 1 Address. New Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study Publications.7 FAO Asia-Pacific Forestry Calendar..................................... 16 TIGERPAPER FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road Bangkok, 10200, Thailand Tel: (662) 697-4000 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.fao.org/world/ regional/rap/tigerpaper/tigerpaper.htm Editor: Janice Naewboonnien Advisor: P. Durst TIGERPAPER is dependent upon your free and voluntary The opinions expressed by the contributions in the form of articles, news items, and announcements in contributing authors are not the field of wildlife and nature conservation in the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Protection of the Manas Biosphere Reserve in Assam, India, and the Endangered Golden Langur Trachypithecus Geei R Obert H
    Community protection of the Manas Biosphere Reserve in Assam, India, and the Endangered golden langur Trachypithecus geei R obert H. Horwich,Rajen I slari,Arnab B ose,Bablu D ey M ahesh M oshahary,Nirmal Kanti D ey,Raju D as and J onathan L yon Abstract The Golden Langur Conservation Project in and community interest within the region, with communi- Assam, India, was initiated to involve local NGOs and ties taking responsibility for protection of regional forests. communities in protecting the Endangered golden langur Keywords Assam, community-based conservation, golden Trachypithecus geei and its habitat on a regional basis langur, India, Manas Biosphere Reserve, Trachypithecus within a complex political situation. Since langurs are leaf geei eaters they are dependent on forests. The Project area, once dominated by militant action and ethnic violence, is in a densely populated area and formerly suffered much illegal deforestation and accompanying reduction in the Introduction golden langur population. The Project began with two NGOs and evolved into the formation of a forum of five he Golden Langur Conservation Project was initiated NGOs focusing on a large proportion of the golden langur Tin Assam, India, to create regional change for conser- range in Assam, and eventually included . 11 newly vation, focusing on protection of the golden langur Tra- formed community-based organizations. Each NGO fo- chypithecus geei and its habitat, through community cused on nearby Reserve Forests and their resident langur involvement. Regional change through community partic- populations and adjacent human communities. The com- ipation, achieved in an earlier project in Belize, Central munity-conservation tools used included (1) initial local America, which focused on the black howler monkey community awareness campaigns, (2) formation of local Alouatta pigra (Young & Horwich, 2007), was used as Forest Committees and Self Help Groups, (3) a major a model for the Project in Assam.
    [Show full text]
  • Cepf Final Project Completion Report
    CEPF FINAL PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT I. BASIC DATA Organization Legal Name: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Project Title (as stated in the grant agreement): Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme: improving the status of the critically endangered pygmy hog as a flagship for biodiversity conservation in the terai grasslands of Assam Implementation Partners for this Project: 1. Forest Department of Assam [including Office of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam, and Project Tiger authorities in Manas and Nameri] 2. IUCN/SSC Wild Pigs Specialist Group 3. EcoSystems-India [including the consortium of local NGOs under Manas Conservation Alliance and the Manas Nameri Tiger Reserve Area (MANTRA) Initiative] Project Dates (as stated in the grant agreement): 1 October, 2008 - 31 December, 2010 Date of Report (month/year): May 2011 II. OPENING REMARKS Provide any opening remarks that may assist in the review of this report. The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) is the smallest, most highly specialized and most threatened of the world’s wild suids. It was formerly known or presumed to occur across a narrow strip of early successional tall grassland plains along the southern Himalayan foothills, extending from N.E. Uttar Pradesh and S.W. Nepal in the west, to northern West Bengal and N.W. Assam in the east. However, all confirmed reports and most anecdotal accounts dating back to its description in 1847 refer only to the latter areas; and, most recently, only to N.W. Assam, where the species was ‘rediscovered’ in 1971 after it was long suspected to have become extinct (Oliver, 1980). By the mid-1990s the species was reduced to a single, fragmented population in the Manas National Park, possibly still extending into a neighbouring reserve forest (Oliver, 1993) when the Pygmy Hog Conservation Program (PHCP) was formally launched 1996.
    [Show full text]