Unesco Manoj Nair Inisde Cityf

To my parents & the young nature lovers of Assam…

Citation : Manoj V. Nair (2006) : Inside a city forest – The Natural History of Assam State Zoo Campus, Published by Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati, Assam.

Front, back and inner cover & all photographs in the text : Author

Plate credits : Abhijit Das (AD) Firoz Ahmed (FA) Manoj V. Nair (MN) Saibal Sengupta (SS)

Design, layout and printing : Anjan Mahanta, Fine Edge, Ganeshguri, Guwahati. Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

From a naturalist’s journal : introducing the city forest ... 1

Atop the Hengerabari hill : area, topography, vegetation and habitats ... 6

Menagerie to Meaningful Conservation : a brief history of ASZBG ... 8

A profile of The Noah’s Ark : synopsis of the campus biodiversity ... 11

Of Mirtenga, Makri Sal and others : indigenous flora of the campus ... 12

Pesky Rhesus, Pretty Muntjac : free-ranging mammals ... 24

What’s that warbler ? : a birder’s guide to the campus ... 30

The call of the Tucktoo : introducing the campus reptiles ... 49

Out in the pouring rain : in search of frogs, toads et al. ... 58

Bugs, beetles & butterflies : a glimpse of the arthropod diversity ... 65

The city forest beckons : some tips for the amateur naturalist ... 81

Of islands and extinctions : a bit of conservation biology ... 94

References ... 97 From the publisher’s desk…

From its humble beginning way back in 1957, Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden has indeed come a long way. Today, it is one of the premier large zoos in the country in addition to being the largest in N.E. India. The zoo also has to its credit a series of success stories in breeding rare and endangered animals, with special emphasis on the species endemic to this biogeographical zone. It is also one of the most favoured tourist destination in the region, playing host to over five lakh visitors annually. Spread over an area of 175 h.a of scenic landscape, the campus also serves as a crucial green lung to the ever-growing city of Guwahati. All this is known to many, but few are aware of the fact that the campus also contains within it , a patch of natural forest over 100 h.a in area, which serves as a fabulous repository of free ranging wild animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Perhaps no other zoo can boast of such extraordinary diversity both inside and outside the enclosures ! Just the right combination for making the visitors aware of the role of zoos as ex-situ conservation centres, complementary to in-situ conservation. With a view to document this diversity comprehensively, and create awareness among the visitors regarding this, Manoj Nair, IFS, Assistant Conservator Of Forests, who was conducting natural history studies in the campus took up this project. The author, who is a wildlife biologist by training, started off armed with his binoculars, camera and a field note-book. Almost every day yielded something interesting, all of which were meticulously documented. As information started accumulating, he realized the richness of this patch and its potential for spreading conservation awareness. And what could be more suitable to drive home the all-important message of the complementarity of ex- situ and in-situ approaches to conservation to the visitors, than this forest patch, which for all practical purposes is like an open interpretation centre ? Could there be a better place to nurture awareness on conservation among the young students of Guwahati ? It is precisely this aspect that gives relevance to this small book. It is also important given the present day focus on the emerging theme of urban biodiversity conservation. We hope to follow up on this work by laying out guided nature trails inside the campus and inviting school and college students to carry out ecological study projects in the campus. Thus, documentation of the biodiversity and publication of this book is the first step in the process of garnering active support for conservation of not just the campus but also many such patches of wilderness in the city and elsewhere in the state of Assam. It is expected that this book has made a humble beginning towards this end.

Welcome to the city forest !

18.01.2006 Narayan Mahanta Guwahati Divisional Forest Officer, Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden I Inside a City Forest Acknowledgements

From the very moment I mooted the idea of this booklet, Sri. N. Mahanta, DFO, Assam State Zoo Division, gave me a free hand and remained supportive throughout the course of this project. I couldn’t have got a more cheerful friend & helpful colleague than Mrs. Sonali Ghosh. Mrigen Barua - friend, range officer and rescuer of stranded wildlife, generously shared his experience and collection of archival material. Nagen Das, the botanist at ASZBG, was always ready to share his considerable expertise in field botany. Dr. Smith and Dr. Gogoi, the zoo vets were always available for discussions. Madhurya Sharma and the rest of the office staff were all extremely helpful. My heartfelt thanks to each one of them. I must say at this juncture that I couldn’t have hoped for a more flexible working atmosphere than what I got in the Assam Forest Department. All the seniors were extremely supportive and fully encouraged my interest in wildlife research, especially Shri.Bhupen Talukdar and Shankar Hazarika.My specific gratitude to the PCCF, Sri. S. Doley for deputing me to the State Zoo and Shri. M. C. Malakar, the Chief Wildlife Warden, Shri Suryanarayan, CF(WL) and Shri TK Das, CF(HQ) for their encouragement. Friends and fellow naturalists, Firoz Ahmed, Bibhuti Lahkar, Bidyut Jyoti Das and Bibhab Talukdar were ever ready to help; I wish Aaranyak keeps up the good work - all the very best to them. I’m indebted to Abhijit Das for all his help and wonderful company in the field; I have learnt a lot from him. My sincere thanks to Dr. Saibal Sengupta and his students, especially Jayanta Gogoi who helped me with herpetofauna & insects and my friend Dr. Manju Siliwal, who identified the spiders. Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury was a ready source of information on the past animal records from the zoo campus and is indeed a source of inspiration to a whole generation of young nature lovers in N.E.India. Some of the species, especially of lower groups, were identified by experts in various e-groups; I’m thankful to all of them. My gratitude to those mentioned in the facing page who willingly contributed their valuable photographs. This book could not have happened without the patience and creativity of Anjan Mahanta of Fine Edge & .Rajjyoti Barua of Fairgraphics in Guwahati; my heartfelt thanks to both of them. At Guwahati, Nandita Hazarika and Dr. Goutam Narayan of the Pygmy Hog Conservation Centre, were boundless in their hospitality and gave me a home away from home. Dr. Anil Kumar’s family, became like my own - thank you Ani, Kalyani and Govindankutty. I have duly acknowledged all significant sources of information in the main body of the text or check-lists, but the complete list of every person from whom verbal or written information was collected is too long to be mentioned here. Nevertheless, my sincere thanks goes to each one of them. My faculty members, friends and colleagues, first at the Wildlife Institute Of India, and later at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy encouraged and supported my interest in natural history. I do miss those wonderful days and hope we can all meet up again, to go hiking to some lovely forest. I’m also indebted to my naturalist friends and mentors of school and college days in Trivandrum – C. Jayakumar, C. Susanth, Dr. Dileep, Shibu, Gopan, Chandran. Drs. Santhi & Sathischandran Nair have always remained an inspiration, in natural history and in life. My parents and sister have always understood my wild ways and have tolerated my long abscences from home right since schooldays, especially during holidays and vacations, while I’d be away attending some nature camp or off trekking with friends. I consider myself blessed to have a wife who shows remarkable sensitivity and understanding; she is also a budding bird-watcher! How can I ever thank you enough - Amma, Achchan (both at Kumarapuram and Aranmula), Manju, Gopu, Kochu and of course you, Aswathi ? It is also my fond hope that my two little nephews, twin naturalists-in-the-making (if I have my way) will enjoy this book when they grow up and read it. Finally, to mother Nature whose exquisite tapestry of life never fails to enthrall me (a tiny but fascinating bit of which is enshrined in the ASZBG campus), I bow down in deep reverence and hope it remains unspoilt, for all times to come... Inside a City Forest II

FROM A NATURALIST’S JOURNAL introducing the city forest Adiantum caudatum In the city of Guwahati thrives a forest. It is a modern day a certain level of protection from biotic pressure was sufficient to Noah’s ark, this tiny patch of wilderness barely 2 km2 in area, the rejuvenate small patches of urban wildernesses to a point where campus of the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden (ASZBG). they could sustain significant levels of biodiversity; and two, sensitive Whereas the scriptural vessel had choppy waves assailing it, the zoo town planning (with a strong base on ecology and natural history, ark has a burgeoning sea of humanity surging all around; both are which left aside such islands free from development), had the equally beleaguered. And much like the biblical boat, the campus potential to transform our urban spaces into wonderful habitats for too is filled to the brim with all kinds of wildlife, but luckily in this a range of lesser life-forms. And perhaps, this was the only way to case, more than just a pair per species ! And mind you, these are not enrich both our depleting natural heritage and our dry-as-dust the ones inside enclosures, paddocks or cages. We are talking about cityscapes. the wild and free-ranging mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and During the one year that I watched Nature unfold in it’s myriad insects that make this campus their home. In the wetlands and forests mysterious ways inside ASZBG, I wondered whether patches like here, they survive and flourish. this were destined to survive in the long run, without getting I was posted here for about an year from September 2004 to devoured by land-sharks or giving in to the demands of so-called November 2005. Being a naturalist, I tried to make use of this development. Well-wooded campuses like this were standing wonderful opportunity to learn more about this city forest and went testimonies to the incredible resilience of Nature. They formed living for long walks along it’s jungle trails. Each of those walks was a laboratories, where timeless processes like natural selection and learning experience in itself; it did not take me long to realize that evolution could proceed unhindered. They harboured source the campus was a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity, harbouring populations of countless species, all waiting to move out and colonise a fabulous array of flora and fauna. Time and again, this patch of other such patches within the city. What more, for interested school greenery kept throwing up surprises from among it’s countless and college students in cities like Guwahati, such sites gave their fascinating facets of wild nature, some of which are recounted in first window into the fascinating world of Nature. City forests like this chapter. The contrast between the apparent lifelessness of the this beckoned them to conduct small field studies and get hooked denuded hillocks outside, and the throbbing pulse of life that to that enriching addiction that would never leave them, if once prospered inside the walled-in safety of the campus, was at once they acquired it – a passion for outdoor life and natural history. In startling and heartening. It proved something that I always thought addition, such patches also acted as green lungs for the city. Surely, was possible : the co-existence of man and nature in urban they had a value far beyond what the real estate market quoted for landscapes. It also brought to focus two important facts. One, that them. But how could one convince the people at large about the Inside a City Forest 1 importance of this urban forest ? Well, as any naturalist would have wonderful skyline of the city ! ) done, I too started to document the biodiversity of the campus as It is my fervent belief that “Inside a City Forest” will strengthen thoroughly as possible. And soon, information started accumulating the case for the continued survival of this tiny oasis of life, the at an astonishing rate. It was then that the idea of writing a small ASZG campus, should in future (God forbid), an attempt is made book occurred to me, meant essentially for the young naturalists in to “develop” it. It is also my fond hope that it will induce you the Guwahati, on whose conviction and activism depended the ultimate readers, both young and old, to visit ASZBG or any such patch future of sites like this. Thus was born this small book. and walk the forest paths of such verdant wildernesses. This book The ambit of this work is rather limited. Far from a study of would then, have served it’s purpose. biodiversity in its strict sense, this work is just a tiny scratch on its 23rd May 2005, surface, the result of a rather cursory preliminary documentation Eugenia Swamp of the life forms found here in the campus during the period of roughly an year. More than attempting an exhaustive and rigorous Inside the jungle, besides the Eugenia swamp, the taxonomic inventorisation, the aim was to establish baseline natural night was alive with the calls of frogs. The pre- history data, which can be built upon subsequently. A deliberate monsoon showers that had lashed down in the after- attempt has been made to elicit interest in the young readers (especially those from the non-biology background) by adopting a noon was brief, but was enough to cast a magic spell jargon-free style of writing with annotated check-lists, non-technical on the amphibians that had spent a long and torpid identification keys and a host of related information which hopefully summer in the campus wetlands. En route to the will be of use to them. Though all efforts have been taken to ensure swamp, one could hear the loud many-noted creaks correctness and authenticity in the identification of species, some of Microhyla ornata, the staccato croaks of Rana oversights are bound to occur, especially in the lower groups. I leptoglossa and the single-noted grate of Polypedates regret all the mistakes, unwittingly committed and request the readers leucomystax. Now, from the forest behind, came to point out and correct those errors. This book, to draw an analogy, is like laying the foundation for loud and clear, a call reminiscent of the quacking of a many-storied building. And it is entirely up to the young naturalists a Duck, followed by silence. I strained my ears, but of Guwahati to determine the numbers of stories this building will there was nothing to greet them save the trill of Cricket ultimately have. It is also them who will decide whether this Frogs and the high-pitched note of Rana tytlerii. But foundation shall languish in neglect or form the base for a fine before long it came again, and this time, closer at mansion ! I for one, certainly hope that it goes on to become a hand, and I could identify it’s author. It was the high-rise building (for a change, one which shall not mar the Red-eyed Frog, Leptobrachium smithii, a rare deni- 2 Inside a City Forest

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Inside a City Forest 5 ATOP THE HENGERABARI HILL… area, topography, vegetation and habitats Ornamental Palm Despite being a sprawling metropolis and bustling gateway to average annual rainfall is around 220-250 cm, with May-September the whole of N.E.India, Guwahati still remains a green city. With its being the rainy months. Relative humidity is usually 70-80% in tropical climate, plentiful rain, tons of alluvium deposited yearly by summer and about 20-40% in winter months. These are the general the bountiful Brahmaputra and an undulating topography with a patterns of weather in the city, and this of course, can vary. Thus, couple of dozen hillocks strewn around, the city couldn’t have been 2005, the year during which the present study was carried out was otherwise! But given the frenetic pace an d chaotic growth that remarkable and showed an abnormal weather pattern with scanty characterizes Guwahati today, these lovely vistas may soon be a rainfall, well below average and a preponderance of high- thing of the past. Especially disconcerting is the rapid and rampant temperature days. deforestation that threatens to lay bare the wooded hills of the city, Of the total area, about 50 h.a is occupied by the animal lovely patches in which till barely a decade ago, prowled the odd enclosures, 20 h.a by the Botanical Garden and Bambusetum, Tiger, and where still exists a substantial Leopard population. and the rest by natural forest. There is roughly 100 h.a of forest Among the hillocks in the city is Hengerabari, a low ridge that that remains and this forms part of the Hengerabari RF.The runs at a S.W.- N.E. orientation along the busy arterial R. G. Baruah vegetation type is a mixture of Tropical Moist Deciduous and Semi- road. It is well-wooded, and on its south western slopes and base, evergreen, in varying stages of secondary succession. This is found lies the campus of ASZBG. Located at 26° 11’ N Latitude and 91° along the slopes and the narrow plateau at the top. Bamboo Forests, 45’ N Longitude, it has an undulating topography and occupies an another subset of this type is also well represented. There is a teak area of 175 h.a. There is Chandmari to the North, Dispur to the plantation on the eastern boundary with a patch of tall grass and South and G. S. Road to the West (See Map I) . In the East, the scrub growing along the exposed slopes. It is clear that the natural hillocks continue, broken in between, all the way to Narengi, and even beyond. To the west is the entrance to the zoo, along a bridge which crosses the Bharalu river. Encompassing it all around at its perimeter is a compound wall. Thus the campus, stands in splendid isolation like a green fortress, but of course, one that is perenially laid siege to by the heat and dust of the city. The elevation ranges from 45-150 MSL with the highest point being at the Hengerabari Top at 180 MSL. The climate is mild tropical with the temperature ranging from 18° to 35° C in summer and 7° to 26° in winter. The Hengerabari Hillock top Patches of Bamboo 6 Inside a City Forest vegetation has been significantly ones like the rock faces and boulders in the Rock Field Area and modified in the past by way of the cool confines of the Spider Cave near the BG trail. There are extraction of timber, clearing for entirely artificial ones too, like the aluminum name-plates of trees, plantations and firewood under which several insects, 3 species of spiders and 2 species of collection. Alteration of the geckos have been observed to find regular shelter ! natural habitat is complete in the All these constitute a diverse assemblage of habitat and micro- animal exhibit area with avenues, habitat types, a fact which goes towards making ASZBG such a groves, walkways, hedges and rich haven for urban biodiversity. Map II gives the locations of all manicured lawns. Other such the highlighted places mentioned in the text. places which show a large extent Next, we shall have a brief look at the history of ASZBG and of man-modification are it’s growth and evolution through the years. Children’s Park, Watch Tower, Thuja Grove, Palm Grove and most importantly, the Botanical Eugenia Swamp Garden. Among enclosures which retain natural vegetation are that of Golden Langur, Lion, Hoolock and the Rhino. The contoured topography ensures that there flows seasonal streams which run down into the valleys, where they collect to form moist depressions or swamps. The most important among them is the BG Stream, which arises from the southern aspect of the Dense ly forested slopes Lower Lake Hengerabari ridge, flows down along the slopes through the Botanical Garden, forms a bog at its corner, and eventually joins the Lower Lake. Among the small marshes in the campus, three deserve mention – the Aviary Marsh, the Eugenia Swamp and BG Marsh. In addition, there are other small water bodies dotting the campus – Upper Lake, Lower Lake, Sambar Lake and Pelican Lake. Thus, the forests together with the small wetlands form the major types of habitats; further, in each of them exist a large array of micro-habitats. These range from completely natural Spider Cave BG Stream Inside a City Forest 7 FROM MENAGERIE TO MEANINGFUL CONSERVATION… a brief history of ASZBG Land Snail Not many people know that the ASZBG that we see now had various periods of its existence had Chimpanzees, White & Black its origins in a humble menagerie, dating way back to 1957. On that Rhinos, Zebras, Ostriches and Giraffes from Africa; Puma, Jaguar, year the 64th session of the Indian National Congress was held at Tapir and Llama from S.America and Kangaroos from Australia. Pandu in the city of Guwahati. The gathering saw a few animals It was also remarkable that the zoo was the only one in India to and birds displayed, in a small exhibition meant for the entertainment have possessed trained African Elephants. With time, the importance of the delegates. The star attraction of the collection and a favourite shifted to indigenous species and the role of zoos as ex-situ among the visitors was a female Leopard cub named Spotty. conservation centres gainined prominence. Accordingly, ASZBG Subsequently, when the meeting came to an end, the animals had to started emphasizing on captive breeding programmes and was be housed somewhere; it was this fact that necessitated the genesis successful in breeding several of them. For instance, 4 Pygmy Hogs of a zoo. were brought from Barnadi RF in 1974, and kept in specially A suitable and scenic place was then found, near a village called designed enclosures away from visitors, in an attempt at captive Japorigog bordering the reserve forests of Hengerabari. In a plot breeding. The efforts were rewarded, as 4 young were born in 1976. of land partly acquired from the villagers, and partly comprising Similarly White-winged Wood Ducks, brought to the zoo in 1970, of existing reserve forest, a facility to house those animals came also bred regularly in the park, before succumbing to diseases. Other up. Thus, Spotty and her animal friends formed the seed collection species which have successfully bred here include Golden Langur, when the Assam State Zoo was established in 1957 and opened Stump-tailed Macaque, Pig-tailed Macaque, Himalayan Black Bear, for public in 1958. The total number of animals and birds, at the Serow, Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat etc. The zoo was also fortunate time of its inception was 42 (22 species) and 236 (31 species) to have a white tigress, brought from Alipore Zoo in 1974. The old respectively. At that time, the campus was well away from the city limits as the old timers reminisce wistfully. Gradually with passing time and increasing population, the urban settlements grew and the zoo found itself being right at the heart of this busy metropolis. Over the years, what started off as a mere exhibition of animals, grew and expanded to accommodate new paradigms and trends. In course of time, a Museum and a Botanical Garden were added to the original layout. In the initial years, the focus was on exhibiting A hand-reared Stump- Serow with her young Kaleej Pheasant more species, that too eye-catching exotic ones. Thus, the zoo during tailed Macaque infant rescued within the city limits 8 Inside a City Forest Today, ASZBG is much more than just a zoo. It exhibits an impressive collection of about 605 animals, birds and reptiles belonging to 82 species, both indigenous and exotic. Among them are rare and endangered species like the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, Golden Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Brow-antlered Deer, Binturong, Slow Loris etc. (all found only in the North East) and others like Asian Elephant, Tiger, and Leopard. Care is taken to exhibit them in spacious, airy enclosures and regular monitoring ensures that their diet, health and hygiene meets high standards. It also has a Museum, which is soon to be upgraded into a full-fledged Interpretation Centre which will house a good collection of priceless trophies, unique specimens, mounted skins and minor forest produce gathered from all over the N.E. region, thus giving a glimpse of the biological richness of this globally acclaimed biodiversity hotspot.

The Hoolock Gibbon Enclosure records housed in the zoo contain a veritable goldmine of information about the localities from where several rare species were brought to the zoo over the past several decades. It thus forms a window through which one can get a glimpse of the distribution of animals during those bygone days. As the zoo regularly gets rescued wildlife stranded in the city, it is also a sourcebook for the diversity of wildlife that thrive within the confines of Guwahati city and its immediate vicinity. An analysis of the records, just for the past two years have shown that a total of 41 species have been rescued within the precincts of the city. These include numerous Leopards, a Smooth Coated Otter from Bharalu river just outside the zoo and a Kaleej Pheasant from Kalakshetra Compound at Panjabari ! Office Complex Inside a City Forest 9 The Botanical Garden, established in 1982, forms an integral carry further it’s conservation awareness efforts, ASZBG has of part of ASZBG and is considered as one of the finest in the region. late, introduced a series of new outreach features for involving the Beautifully landscaped, the garden is home to over 280 species of public in its conservation efforts. One among them, which has introduced plants, which include some endangered ones like the become highly popular, is the Animal Adoption Scheme launched insectivorous pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana. Another note-worthy in August, 2005. Another, is a plan to have a regular Talk Show on part is the herbarium collection, a comprehensive assemblage of snakes, thus making the newly constructed Reptile House, a centre painstakingly collected, immaculately mounted and labelled for dissemination of information on snakes and other reptiles of herbarium sheets, about 2000 in number, representing 550 species the N.E.region. The zoo has also been actively involved in the rescue of the North East Indian flora. It is an invaluable source of of stranded wildlife in the city, their treatment and eventual release information for the serious student and the interested amateur alike. into the wild. The newly constructed Veterinary Hospital with all Coming to recent developments, the ongoing Bambusetum modern amenities is also a step in the right direction. ASZBG, thus project, aims to establish a comprehensive collection of superior has indeed come a long way, from a mere menagerie to one of the bamboo genotypes, with special emphasis on those of the N.E. most important ex-situ conservation centres in the country. region. Doubtlesssly, in times to come, this shall serve both as an Having had a bird’s eye-view of the historical backdrop and invaluable germplasm bank as well as an informative introduction the present status of the zoo, we shall now move on to the wild to the immense potential of our priceless bamboo resources.To biodiversity found in the campus, the main theme of this booklet.

Some of the N.E endemic species housed at the ASZBG

One horned Rhinoceros Hoolock Gibbon Golden Cat Sangai Clouded Leopard

10 Inside a City Forest DENIZENS OF THE NOAH’S ARK a synopsis of the campus bio-diversity Amorphophallus campanulatus Having come to our real topic of interest, the biodiversity of the ASZBG campus, let us start by asking two straightforward questions. 1. How rich is the biodiversity of this 175 hectare area ? Butterflies & Moths (227) Insects (153) Spiders (40) 2. How many species exist here ? On the face of it, these queries appear direct and simple; but wait a second…are they really so ? As for the first one, we now know that the term biodiversity is a rather vague and nebulous one; there are many definitions for it. In its widest possible sense it includes all the genetic variability that is there in nature; not only that of larger and more visible life forms, but also that of the lower, more lowly and cryptic ones. Thus, it includes aquatic algae and tree-bark fungi; burrowing nematodes and canopy beetles. It encompasses in its fold even the microbes that thrive in their millions - unseen but crucial members of the exquisite web of Nature. As for the species Herpetofauna (41) Birds (173) Mammals (24) Flora (610) concept, there are several complex philosophical and taxonomical when one takes into account the tiny study area, (barely 2 square issues underlying it, details of which lie outside the scope of this kilometers in extent ), the extremely short period of this study (just book. Suffice to say that both these terms are not simple as they are about an year), and the inadequate representation of lower forms often made out to be and in many cases are loosely and (hardly any of them have been studied). Further, what makes it inappropriately used. really awesome is that this figure is for a forest patch bang in the With that prelude, let us now turn to the questions posed at middle of a big city. Imagine then, the number of species that must the beginning of the chapter. The answer to the first question : be there in the whole of Guwahati, in all its hillocks, wetlands and Yes, it is immensely rich (whatever that means ! ). Certainly the mighty Luit, put together…And to think of the number of rich enough to be protected zealously. species that thrives within the larger protected areas like Manas, The answer to the second question : Kaziranga and Dibru-Saikhowa ! 1255 species, if one were to spell out a round figure ! 1. Slate Flash Butterfly 2. Tortoise Beetle 3. Gastracanthid Spider Well, coming to think of it, 1255 is really a phenomenal number 4. Rhacophorus bipunctatus 5. Rose-ringed Parakeet 6. Rhesus 7. Impatiens Inside a City Forest 11 Cymbidium aloifolium OF MIRTENGA, MAKRISAL AND OTHERS… indigenous flora of the campus Orchid The campus is doubtlessly the ultimate one-stop destination for coursework. Well, it is indeed unfortunate that most of the people the interested plant-lover and plant-collector in the city. An mentioned above belong to the “plant-collector” variety - they astounding 607 species occur here, of which more than half are come, take their pick and leave. How one wishes there were more indigenous, growing wild in the forest. The floral diversity has been of the “plant-lover” variety - folks who just come to see, study brought to light by a painstaking work of documentation by the and enjoy plants. I am yet to see one of the latter kind. dedicated staff of the Botany wing, especially Nagen Das, the With that rather disheartening preface, we shall now briefly take Botanist. In the last one year alone, I have seen a large number of a look at the indigenous plants in the campus. The vegetation type people besieging him for help in all sorts of matters botanical ! here is of a mixed kind - a combination of deciduous and evergreen These include healers searching for rare medicinal plants, devotees elements; one can broadly term it as a moist deciduous type with asking for the darbha grass for a ritual, nursery owners keen on semi-evergeen patches along the depressions. Among the 100 odd acquiring saplings of exotic trees, and most recently, some people tree species that are found here, the most common are the Makrisal desperate for a few sprigs of the korom plant (Alangium chinense), a Schima wallichi and Mirtenga Protium serratum. With its rough fluted most essential item for a special kind of pooja. And thanks to the bark and much-branching form, the former provides a very good rich vegetation of the forest and the gentle nature of Mr. Das, all microhabitat for lizards, especially geckos, while the latter gives forth these demands were instantly met. And do note that the above list bunches of sour fruit, from which it gets its local name. The other does not include another category of visitors - hordes of botany common species are Kumbhi Careya arborea, Dudh Khori Holarrhena students who invade the campus to pluck specimens for their antidysenterica, Udal Sterculia villosa, three species of Terminalia, six

Sterculia villosa flush Zingiber gerumbet flower Mussaenda roxburghii Mushroom cluster Psychotria monticola Rhynchostylis retusa 12 Inside a City Forest species of Ficus, Kohir Bridelia retusa, Bhela Semecarpus anacardium and Bel Aegle marmelos. Many of them are very good fruiting trees for birds, small animals and primates. Less common than the above, are trees like Koliori Diospyros variegata, Bandardima Dysoxylum binectariferum, Armlochan Glochidion lanceolareum, Panikadam Hymenodictyon excelsum, Seleng Sapium baccatum and Saura Streblus asper while some like Lewa Engelhardtia spicata and Kuji Thekera Garcinia cowa are very rare. Most of the trees are medium sized but there Careya arborea flowers Sporadic flowering of Bamboo stand certain huge individuals, few grand remnants from the Dendrocalamus hamiltonii extraction days – mostly Samkothal Artocarpus chama and Haldu thyrsiformis and at places Melastoma malabathricum. Some of these Haldina cordifolia. In certain areas, there is dense bamboo jungle – offer nectar resources for a host of insects and are larval foodplants mostly Kako bah Dendrocalamus hamiltonii with isolated clumps of for several moths and butterflies. Psychotria monticola, Dalima sarmentosa Bijuli bah B.tulda, Jati bah B.nutans and Kotoha bah B.arundinacea. and Dalhousia bracteata are interesting plants to be found here. The An interesting fact observed was the sporadic flowering of a few forest, especially at the top of the plateau and along the slopes are clumps of D.hamiltonii; the small purplish flowers were ready sources rich in a variety of lianas, climbers and creepers. Here, one finds the of nectar and pollen, with at least 14 species of insects observed thick vines of Entada scandens, Butea parviflora and Combretum decandrum on them. as also the showy flowers of two species of Thunbergia and several The shrubby layer in the undergrowth is dominated by Bridelia species of Ipomoea. It is a matter of concern that large areas have stipularis, Croton caudatus, C. sparsiflorus, Dalbergia stipularis,several been taken over by weeds like Eupatorium and Mikania. Desmodium species, Murraya koenigii, Holmskioldia sanguinea, Phlogocanthus As one looks up at the trees, one is struck by the variety of epiphytes that grow on the trunks. The most eye-catching one is Drynaria quercifolia and Asplenium nidus, superb microhabitats for reptiles, especially arboreal snakes of the genera Boiga, Dendralaphis, Chrysopelea and insects. Others include two species of Pothos, Scurrula sp., Hoya parasitica, six species of orchids (Aerides odoratum, Bulbophyllum careynum, Cymbidium aloifolium, Pholidota imbricata,Vanda teres and Zeuxine sulcata), dense tangles of mistle-toe Dendrophthoe falcata and Viscum sp., as also the epiphytic fern Pyrrosia lanceolata.

Piper falconeri Ripe pods of Sterculia urens Combretum roxburgii flush Inside a City Forest 13 FLOWERING CHART OF SOME PROMINENT SPECIES AT ASZBG SPRING (March-May) SUMMER (June-Aug) AUTUMN(Sept-Nov) WINTER(Dec-Feb) TREES Sterculia colorata, Scima wallichi Mimusops elengi, +Cassia Eucalyptus globulus+ Bombax ceiba+ Garuga pinnata, Careya arborea fistula +Nyctanthes arbor-tristis+ Erythrina stricta + +Alstonia Callicarpa sp++, Leea Bauhinia purpurea Spathodea campanulata+ -Pterospermum acerifolium+ crispa+ +Kydia calycina Dillenia pentagyna Moringa oleifera, Bauhinia acuminata Dillenia indica, Peltophorum Heteropanax fragrans Butea, +Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Gmelina arborea, Mesua ferrea Lagerstroemia reginae Michelia champaca+, Talauma hodgsonii

SHRUBS & Clerodendron infortunatum Thunbergia+ -Holmskoldia sanguinea+ Phlogocanthus thyrsifolius CLIMBERS Pavetta indica+, +Woodfordia -Spatholobus roxburghii++ +Ipomoea , Eupatorium odoratum fruticosa+ Mussaenda sp. Desmodium gangeticum +Mikania micrantha- Clerodendron serratum++ Stachytarpheta indica++ -Mimosa himalayana+ Dendropthoe falcata++ Melastoma malabathrica++ Ipomoea carica+ Lantana camara+

HERBS & Zingiber gerumbet Costus speciosus+ Cassia tora++ Oxalis corniculata+ ANNUALS Globa multiflora Gloriosa superba, Leucas +Mimosa pudica, aspera+ +Impatiens sp. Justicia procumbens Elephantopus scaber Oxalis sp., Hedachyium sp. Andrographis paniculata a + and - sign(s) before or after a name indicates that flowering occurs during the previous/later month(s) also, in addition to the prescribed season

14 Inside a City Forest Herbaceous flora is also remarkable for its richness and is Pistia, Hydrilla, Vallisneria, represented by about 123 species including about 15 species of Monochhoria and Lemna. grasses. Noteworthy is the diversity of members of Compositae. Interestingly Utricularia,a Zingiberaceae is represented by Globa multiflora, Costus speciosus, insectivorous hydrophyte Alpinia nigra and A.calcarata, all of which give forth short-lived showy used to occur here, but is no flowers brightening the forest undergrowth. Liliaceae has equally longer found; Marsilea, an short-lived flowering species like Smilax, Crinum, etc. aquatic fern, has become very Wild varieties of several cultivated species thrive here in the rare and is on its way to local forests of the campus – these include Banana Musa sp. Pepper Piper extirpation. sp., Ginger Curcuma sp. Green Amaranth Amaranthus sp., Tobacco,., Though the local flora Eugenia formosa Ground Orchid flowers Geodorum sp. Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Yams Dioscorea, and Amorphophallus sp.etc. has been thoroughly All these make ASZBG a precious repository of wild cultivar documented, there still awaits surprises for the inquisitive naturalist. genepool. There also occurs a significant number of medicinal trees Thus, it was only in last February that a new species was added to and plants like Terminalia chebula, T.bellerica, Emblica officinalis, the campus list. Two trees which were found to grow besides a Holarrhena antidysenterica, Justicia adathoda, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus, swamp inside had remained unnoticed; but after their typical Andrographis paniculata, Abrus precatorius, Solanum nigrum, Leucas aspera, Myrtaceae flower-bunches were photographed, following the pre- Sida acuta, S.rhombifolia, Gloriosa superba Asparagus racemosus and monsoon showers, they could be identified as a species of Jamun, Rauwolfia serpentina. Eugenia formosa. The marshes and wetlands here have their own complement of One can be sure that many such species await their discoverer submerged, floating and semi-aquatic hydrophytes. These include here, especially among the bryophytes, algae and fungi; pteridophytes the nefarious and introduced weed Eicchornia, and others like are relatively better known . And who knows, there might even be some species new to science ! Apart from the indigenously growing ones mentioned above, an additional 275 introduced species, many of which have become naturalized and grow wild also find their home here. Notable among those are the Pitcher Plant Nepenthes khasiana endemic to Garo hills of Meghalaya, the rare conifer Podocarpus neriifolia, Sandal Santalum album, 12 species of palms including the branching Doum Palm Hyphaene thebaica, 12 species of canes & bamboos and about 40 Fern Climbing Fern Lygodium flexuosum Infloresence of grass Hemionites aurifolia Arundo donax species of orchids. Inside a City Forest 15 A CHECK-LIST OF THE NATURALLY OCCURING FLORA OF ASZBG # Trees Shrubs Herbs Climbers & Twiners 1. Aegle marmelos 1. Antidesma acidum 1. Abutilon indicum 1. Abrus precatorius 2. Alangium chinense 2. Ardisia humilis 2. Acalypha indica 2. Ampelocissus barbata 3. Albizzia lucidior 3. Bridelia m ontana 3. Achyranthus aspera 3. Atylosia goensis 4. A.odoratissima 4. B.stipularis 4. Ageratum conyzoides 4. A.crassa 5. Alstonia scholaris 5. Caesalpinia cuculata 5. Alpinia calcarata 5. A.elongata 6. Anthocephalus chinensis 6. Capparis olacifolia 6. A.nigra 6. A.scarabaeoides 7. Antidesma bunius 7. Catunaregam spinosa 7. Alternanthera sessilis 7. Butea parviflora 8. Aporosa oblonga 8. Cassia alata 8. Alysicarpus vaginalis 8. Cissampelos pariera 9. Aporosa octandra 9. C.hirsuta 9. Amaranthus viridis 9. Cissus quadrangular 10. Artocarpus chama 10. C.occidentalis 10. Ammania peploides 10. Dioscorea hamiltonii 11. A.integrifolia 11. C.tora 11. Amorphophallus campanulatus 11. Entada phaseoloides 12. Bauhinia purpurea 12. Clerodendron infortunatum 12. Anisomeles indica 12. Gymnopetalum cochinchinense 13. Bombax ceiba 13. C.serratum 13. Argemone mexicana 13. Hoya parasitica 14. Bridelia retusa 14. C.nutans 14. Arundinella bengalensis 14. Ichnocarpus frutescens 15. Careya arborea 15. C.siphonanthus 15. Blumea lacera 15. Ipomea hirta 16. Casearia glomerata 16. C.squamatum 16. Boerhhavia diffusa 16. I.pestigrides 17. C.kurzii 17. Combretum roxburghii 17. Brachiaria distachya 17. I.pileata 18. Cassia fistula 18. Corchorus acutangularis 18. Capillipedium assimile 18. I.undulata 19. Celtis timorensis 19. Crotalaria calycina 19. Carex indica 19. Merremia vitifolia 20. Cordia dichotoma 20. C.pallida 20. C.stramentitia 20. Mikania micrantha 21. Crataeva relegiosa 21. C.prostrata 21. Centipeda orbicularis 21. Milletia pachycarpa 22. Croton oblongifolius 22. Croton caudatus 22. Chenopodium album 22. Myriopteron extensum 23. Cycas pectinata 23. C.bonplandianum 23. Chrysopogon aciculatus 23. Passiflora foetida 24. Dalbergia assamica 24. Dalbergia stipulacea 24. Cleome viscosa 24. Pothos catchcartii 25. Derris robusta 25. D.rimosa 25. Cleome burmanii 25. Piper falconeri 26. Dillenia indica 26. Datura fastuosa 26. Chromolaena odorata 26. Poederia scandens 27. D.pentagyna 27. Dendropthoe falcate 27. Commelina diffusa 27. Schefflera venulosa

16 Inside a City Forest # prepared by C.Nagen Das, Botanist ASZBG A CHECK-LIST OF THE NATURALLY OCCURING FLORA OF ASZBG Trees Shrubs Herbs Climbers & Twiners 28. D.scabrella 28. Desmodium cephalotes 28. Costus speciosus 28. Smilax ovalifolia 29. Diospyros variegata 29. Desmodium gangeticum 29. Crinum amoenum 29. Stephania japonica 30. dysoxylum binectariferum 30. D.velutinum 30. Cyathula prostrata 30. S.elegans 31. Ehretia acuminata 31. D.motorium 31. Cynodon dactylon 31. Thunbergia alata 32. Emblica officinalis 32. D.triquetrum 32. Cyperus compressus 32. T.grandiflora 33. Engelhardtia spicata 33. Dischidia bengalensis 33. Cyperus diffusus 33. Tetrastigma bracteolatum 34. Erythrina stricta 34. Epiphyllum triangularis 34. C.digitalis 35. Eugenia balsamea 35. Fagerlendia fasciculata 35. C.iria Pteridophytes 36. Eugenia f ormosa 36. Glycosmis rigida 36. C.killingia 1. Adiantum caudatum 37. Fernandoa adenophylla 37. Grewia macrophylla 37. C.sesquiflorus 2. A.philippense 38. Ficus bengalensis 38. G.serrulata 38. Dactyloctenium aegyptium 3. Drynaria quercifolia 39. F.benjamina 39. Hedyotis scandens 39. desmodium griffithianum 4. Hemionites aurifolia 40. F.elastica 40. Hibiscus abelmoschus 40. Digitaria longifolia 5. Pyrrosia lanceolata 41. F.hispida 41. Holmskoldia sanguinea 41. D.setigera 6. Pteris cretica 42. F.infectoria 42. Jatropha gossypifolia 42. Dryamaria cordata 7. P.biaurita 43. F.relegiosa 43. Lantana aculeate 43. Echinochloa colonum 44. F.rumphii 44. Macrosolen cochinchinensis 44. Eclipta prostrata Herbs contd.. 45. Firmiana colorata 45. Maesa indica 45. Elephantopus scaber 101.Phalaris arundinacea 46. Flacourtia jangomus 46. M.manipurensis 46. Eleusine indica 102.Phyllanthus urinaria 47. Garcinia cowa 47. Melastoma malabathricum 47. Emilia sonchifolia 103.P.virgatus 48. G.xanthochymus 48. Meyna spinosa 48. Eragrostris nutans 104.Physalis minima 49. Garuga pinnata 49. Mimosa rubicaulis 49. E.tenella 105.Pistia stratiotes 50. Glochidion lanceolarum 50. Moghania stricta 50. E.unicoloides 106.Polygala glomerata 51. G.sphaerogynum 51. M.strobilifera 51. Eriocaulon alpastre 107.P.sibirica 52. Gmelina arborea 52. Morus indica 52. Euphorbia hirta 108.Polygonum hydropiper 53. Grewia rothii 53. Murraya koenigii 53. Evovulus numularius 109.Pouzolzia zeylanica 54. Haldina cordifolia 54. Mussaenda roxburghii 54. Exacum teres 110.Pogonantherum rufobarbatum

Inside a City Forest 17 A CHECK-LIST OF THE NATURALLY OCCURING FLORA OF ASZBG Trees Shrubs Herbs Herbs 55. Holarrhena antidysenterica 55. Pandanus furcatus 55. Fimbristylis dichotoma 111.Ranunculus scleratus 56. Hymenodictyon excelsum 56. Pavetta crassicaulis 56. F.ovata 112.Rotala rotundifolia 57. Kydia calycina 57. Phyllanthus sikkimensis 57. Flemingia procumbens 113.Rumex maritimus 58. Lagerstroemia parviflora 58. Phlogocanthus thyrsiformis 58. Floscopa scandens 114.Rungia repens 59. L.speciosa 59. Premna pinguis 59. Globa multiflora 115.Rorippa indica 60. Lannea grandis 60. Prismatomeris tetrandra 60. Gnaphalium purpureum 116.Solanum nigrum 61. Litsea polyantha 61. Psychotria monticola 61. Hackelochloa granularis 117.Vernonia cinerea 62. L.sebifera 62. Rauwolfia serpentina 62. Hedyotis verticillata 118.V.saligna 63. Macaranga indica 63. Ricinus communis 63. Hydrocotyle asiatica 64. Mallotus ferrugineus 64. Sarcochlamys pulcherrima 64. H.sibthorpioides 65. M.philippinensis 65. Scurrula parasitica 65. Hypericum japonicum 66. Melia azaderach 66. Sida acuta 66. Impatiens jurpia 67. Mangifera indica 67. S.rhombifolia 67. Imperata cylindrica 68. Micromelum minutum 68. S.cordata 68. Ischaemum hirsutum 69. Oroxylum indicum 69. Solanum indicum 69. Knoxia corymbosa 70. Persea bombycina 70. S. viarum 70. Leea crispa 71. Phoenix sylvestris 71. S.torvum 71. Laggera pterodonta 72. Premna latifolia 72. S.verbascifolium 72. Leersia hexanrda 73. P.racemosa 73. Stachytarpheta indica 73. Leonurus sibiricus 74. Protium serratum 74. Tabernaemontana divaricata 74. Lepidaghathis rigida 75. Pterospermum lanceaefolium 75. Tephrosia purpurea 75. Leucus indica 76. Sapium baccatum 76. T.candia 76. Limnophilla repens 77. Scima wallichii 77. Urena lobata 77. Lindernia anagalis 78. Semecarpus anacardium 78. Viscum monoicum 78. L.crustacea 79. Stercuia villosa 79. Vitex negundo 79. Lobelia alsenoides 80. Streblus asper 80. Zizyphus oenoplia 80. Microstegium petiolare 81. Syzygium cumini 81. Mimosa pudica

18 Inside a City Forest A CHECK-LIST OF THE NATURALLY OCCURING FLORA OF ASZBG Trees Shrubs Herbs 82. S.syzygioides Bamboos 82. Mariscus compectus 83. Tamarindus indica 1. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii 83. Murdania alata 84. Terminalia belerica 2. Bambusa arundinacea 84. M.nudiflora 85. T.chebula 3. Bambusa tulda 85. Nelsonia canescens 86. Toona ciliata 4. B.nutans 86. Neyraudia reynaudiana 87. Trewia nudiflora 87. Nicotiana plumbaginifolia 88. Vitex canescens Orchids 88. Ocimum sanctum 89. V.peduncularis 1. Aerides odoratum 89. Oldenlandia corymbosa 90. Wrightia arborea 2. Bulbophyllum careyanum 90. O.nudicaulis 91. Xantakis assamica 3. Cymbidium aloifolium 91. Oplismenus burmanii 92. Xylosma controversum 4. Pholidota imbricata 92. Panicum humidorum 93. Zanthoxylum rhetsa 5. Vanda teres 93. P.motalum 94. Zizyphus mauritiana 6.Zeuxine sulcata 94. P.tripheron 95. P.walens 96. Paspalum orbiculare 97. Peliosanthus teeta 98. Pennisetum polystachyum 99. Persicaria barbata 100.P.chinensis

Inside a City Forest 19 A CHECK-LIST OF THE INTRODUCED FLORA OF ASZBG Trees Shrubs Herbs 1. Acacia auruculiformis 1. Acacia farnesiana 1. Agave americana 2. A.catechu 2. A.arabica 2. A.angustifolia 3. A.polyacantha 3. Acalypha indica 3. A.sisalana 4. Adamsonia digitata 4. A.wilkesiana 4. A.veracruze 5. Adenanthera pavonina 5. Allamanda neriifolia 5. Aglaonema commutatum 6. Acrocarpus fraxinifolius 6. A.cathartica 6. Alocasia indica 7. Ailanthus excelsa 7. Billbergia iridifolia 7. Brachiaria mutica 8. A.integrifolia 8. Bauganvillea spectabilis 8. Canna indica 9. Albizzia falcataria 9. Citrus lemon 9. Crinum moorei 10. A.procera 10. Coffea arabica 10. C.asiaticum 11. Alseodaphne owdenii 11. Clerodendro colebrookianum 11. Cyperus alternifolius 12. Anacardium occidentale 12. Croton sp. 12. Chlorophytum bichetii 13. Anona squamosa 13. Dracaena spicata 13. C.comosum 14. Anidesma ghesambilia 14. D.fragrans 14. Dieffenbechia picta 15. Averrhoa carambola 15. D.sanderiana 15. Calathea ornate 16. Aquilaria malaccensis 16. Eranthemum nervosum 16. C.zebrina 17. Azadirachta indica 17. Gardenia coronaria 17. C.lietzii 18. Baccauria sapida 18. Gossypium herbaceum 18. Haemanthus multiflorus 19. Bauhinia malabarica 19. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 19. Musa sapientum 20. Barringtonia acutangula 20. H.mutabilis 20. M.velutina 21. Bischofia javanica 21. Ipomoea cornea 21. Plumbago indica 22. Bombax insigne 22. Ixora coccinea 22. Sanseiveria zeylanica 23. Bixa orellana 23. Jasminum laurifolium 23. S.cylindrica 24. Butea monosperma 24. Jatropha podagrica 24. S.trifasciata 25. Callistemon linearis 25. Manihot esculenta 25. Setcrasia pallida 26. C.citrinus 26. Mirabilis jalapa 26. Tradescantia zebrina 27. Canarium bengalense 27. Muehlenbeckia platyclada 27. T.albiflora 20 Inside a City Forest A CHECK-LIST OF THE INTRODUCED FLORA OF ASZBG Trees Shrubs Herbs 28. C.strictum 28. Murraya paniculata Climbers & Twiners 29. Cascabela thevetia 29. Nerium indicum 1. Antigonon leptopus 30. Cassia javanica 30. Punica granatum 2. Asparagus racemosus 31. C.nodosa 31. Quisqualis indica 3. Bignonia magnifica 32. C.siamea 32. Rauwolfia tetraphylla 4. Clitorea ternate 33. Chrysophyllum lanceolatum 33. Tecoma stans 5. Entada scandens 34. Chisocheton paniculatus 34. Yucca gloriosa 6. Gynura procumbens 35. Casuarina equisetifolia 7. Ipomoea cairica 36. Ceiba pentandra Palms 8. Nepenthes khasiana 37. Chukrassia tabularis 1. Areca catechu 9. Rhaphidophora aurea 38. Cinnamomum camphora 2. A.lutescens 10. Vernonia scandens 39. Citrus grandis 3. Caryota urens 40. C.aurantium 4. C.mithis Pteridophytes 41. Cordia sebestina 5. Cocos nucifera 1. Angiopteris evecta 42. Crescentia cujete 6. Corypha sp. 2. Cyathea ornata 43. Dalbergia sissoo 7. Hyphaene thebaica 3. Gymnogramme pulchellus 44. D.latifolia 8. Licuala peltata 2. Nephrolepis cordifolia 45. Delonix regia 9. Livistonia chinensis 3. N.duffii 46. Dipterocarpus retusus 10. L.jenkensiana 4. N.exaltata 47. D.turbinatus 11. Oreodoxa regia 5. Pteris cretica 48. drypetes roxburgii 12. Pinanga gracilis 6. Stenocleana palustre 49. elaeocarpus floribundus 50. E.sphaericus Canes Cacti & Succulents 51. Enterolobium timbouva 1. Calamus erectus 1. Chamecerus sp. 52. Samanea saman 2. C.tenuis 2. Euphorbia neriifolia 53. Eucalyptus tereticornis 3. Daemonorops jenkensianus 3. E.tirucalli 54. E.globulus 4. E.lactea Inside a City Forest 21 A CHECK-LIST OF THE INTRODUCED FLORA OF ASZBG Trees Shrubs Herbs 55. E.citriodora Orchids 5. E.lacteal-cristata 56. Exbucklandia populnea 1. Aerides odoratum 6. Euphorbia sp. 57. Ficus bengalensis 2. A.multiflorum 7. Opuntia dillenii 58. F.semicordata 3. A.williamsii 8. O.phaseacantha 59. F.elastica 4. Acampe papillosa 9. O.ficus-indica 60. Gliricidia sepium 5. A.rigida 10. Trichocereus candicans 61. Grevillea robusta 6. Acanthephippium sylhetense 62. Horsfieldia kingii 7. Arundina graminifolia Conifers 63. Jacaranda ovalifolia 8. Bulbophyllum careyanum 1. Agathis robusta 64. Litsea citrata 9. Coelogyne barbata 2. Araucaria cooki 65. Litchi chinensis 10. C. cornea 3. A.bidwilli 66. Lagerstroemia indica 11. C. prolifera 4. Cupressus torulosa 67. madhuca longifolia 12. Cymbidium aloiflium 5. C.arizonica 68. Mangifera sylvatica 13. C.munronianum 6. Callitris glauca 69. Maniltoa polyandra 14. C.iridioides 7. Juniperus sp. 70. Mansonia dipikii 15. C.longifolium 8. Pinus kesiya 71. Magnolia griffithii 16. C.mastersii 9. P.caribea 72. Manilkara hexandra 17. C.dasyflora 10. P.patula 73. Mesua ferrea 18. Dendrobium lindleyi 11. P.roxburghii 74. Melia azaderach 19. D.anceps 12. Podocarpus neriifolia 75. Michelia champaca 20. D.fimbriatum 76. M.oblonga 21. D.lituiflorum Bamboos 77. M.Montana 22. D.nobile 1. Bambusa vulgaris 78. Magnolia insignis 23. D.aphyllum 2. B.balcooa 79. M.hodgsonii 24. D.moschatum 3. B.ventricosa 80. M.bailonii 25. Flickingeria macrei 4.Dendrocalamus strictus 81. Mimusops elengi 26. Dendrobium pierardii

22 Inside a City Forest A CHECK-LIST OF THE INTRODUCED FLORA OF ASZBG Trees Shrubs Trees (cont’d…) 82. Morus macroura 27. Eria acervata 100.Shorea robusta 83. Moringa oleifera 28. E.stricta 101.Spathodea campanulata 84. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis 29. Epidendrum radicans 102.Spondias pinnataum 85. Palaquium polyanthum 30. Gastrochilus dasypogon 103.Swietenia macrophylla 86. Pithecolobium dulce 31. Paphiopedilum faireanum 104.S.mahogany 87. Pongamia pinnata 32. P.venustum 105.Santalum album 88. Peltophorum pterocarpum 33. Papilionanthe teres 106.Syzygium jambos 89. Persea bombycina 34. Phajus flavus 107.Tectona grandis 90. Phoebe goalparensis 35. P.tankervillieae 108.Terminalia arjuna 91. Polyalthia longifolia 36. Pholidota imbricata 109.T.alata 92. P.pendula 37. P.articulata 110.T.myriocarpa 93. Psidium guajava 38. Rhyncostylis retusa 111.Trewia nudiflora 94. Pterospermum lancaefolium 39. Saccolobium trichomum 112.Tetrameles nudiflora 95. P.acerifolium 40. Thunia alba 113.Wendlandia glabrata 96. Pterygota alata 41. Vanda teres 114.Xylia xylocarpa 97. Ravanella madagascarensis 42. Vanilla pilifera 98. Saraca indica 99. Salix babylonica

Inside a City Forest 23 PESKY RHESUS, PRETTY MUNTJAC… Free-ranging mammals Hoary-bellied Squirrel Serows in the city? I was incredulous when told that a few not been for the organized and accomodative Macaque society. escapee Serows roamed wild in the campus jungle. And skeptical They are almost human in their exhibition of emotions, particularly I remained; till the day I came across a mother and her young calf, the females which show a touching tenderness towards the young; browsing near the slopes of the Sambar Lake. Not only were these often, this solicitude overflows to encompass other species also ! elusive goat-antelopes surviving here, they were also breeding ! Such On several instances, female macaques have been noticed to carry direct sightings of animals are extremely rare in a forest. More about tiny kittens, and treat them just the way they would have often than not, the naturalist has to scout around for tell-tale signs treated their own offspring. Whether the hapless felines were forcibly of animal activity, if she were to prepare an inventory of mammals, snatched off from their mothers, or had been found abandoned, particularly the nocturnal species. Thus, it is the spoor on the mud- is not known. track, a dropped quill, a daub of caked mud on a tree-trunk, A few Assamese Macaques which were reportedly sighted till some gnawed pieces of bone, a half-eaten fruit, certain seed-filled the early nineties might have been escapees; they are no longer there. droppings, a scat with feathers, the odd burrow, or at times, even a The other wild primate occuring in these forests was believed to pungent scent that suggests the existence of a particular species in have become locally extinct the early 80s – the beautiful long-tailed an area. Thus, during the course of the last year, evidences of 24 Capped Langur which, even during those days was found only in species of mammals, excluding the escapees, were collected from small numbers. There were no further sightings till 7th October the campus. 2005, when a single The Rhesus Macaque is doubtlessly the most common mammal adult male was seen here; it would also win hands down if one were to give away prizes and photographed for sheer nuisance value ! There are two groups here – the first one in the bamboo mostly keeping itself to the wooded areas in the hills and the patch east of the second one eking out a living, mainly by scavenging and pilfering Hathi Tilla. from the animal enclosures. The latter group has a mutilated female Subsequently, it without the left fore and hind limbs. But strangely, this major started frequenting handicap doesn’t seem to have affected her survival capacity or the exhibit area, the dominance status in the least; in fact she was among the smartest often near the large of the lot and successfully raised an offspring last year. For a crippled Golden Langur individual to survive like this would have been impossible, had it enclosure, looking Chinese Pangolin curled up 24 Inside a City Forest by the waiting deers. On another occasion, a mother and a fawn stayed put for two weeks continuously, in the garden in front of the Office Complex; one of the staff explained that it was a strategy to save the fawn from the roving Jackals ! These pretty creatures have other predators too; recently one was seen devoured by a huge Python. Sambar is also found wild here; they have also been noticed to breed. In fact, a female which had her fawn near the Hathi Tilla patch was so very demonstrative about her protective instincts that she would charge at any passer-by using that trail ! Free-ranging Serow Male Barking Deer Capped Langur The cat family is represented by the Leopard, the Leopard Cat in as if it wanted to go in and join the langurs. Finally it jumped and the Jungle Cat. The highly adaptable Leopard is probably locally inside and attacked the resident Golden Langur male. It was captured extinct now; the last confirmed sighting was in 1994, when one was by the staff and is now being kept inside the enclosure. It is not sighted by a staff member on the Battalion Camp road. A known whether it is a lone survivor or a recent immigrant to the noteworthy instance of this feline preying on the exhibited animals campus; the second hypothesis is highly unlikely for there is no happened some years back when one entered the Sangai enclosure suitable habitat contiguity for any such movement to happen. This and killed a deer. It was later trapped and removed. Regarding is one instance, where a Noah’s Ark kind of scenario stares one small cats, tracks and scats are seen occasionally along the trails, but starkly in the face; sadly, in this case, there isn’t a pair even. One can they are by no means common; sightings of Leopard Cat is more only hope that there are more Langurs, lurking unseen inside the towards the Upper Lake and the Hillock area while that of Jungle forests. Cat is from the Lower Lake and its vicinity. The latter being an Barking Deer is found in good numbers, often near the exhibit inveterate poultry lifter, its presence is reported more frequently by area itself; my conservative estimate of the total population size is the staff. 15-20, throughout the campus. Its hoarse bark of alarm, if heard Jackal is the lone canid which occurs here. They used to be close at hand inside the stillness of an afternoon forest is quite a extremely common in the earlier days, but of late, their numbers heart-stopping sound, as I have found to my discomfiture many a have drastically declined. This certainly is a species on its way out, time. Though solitary as a rule, small congregations gather beneath here in the campus. fruiting trees. One evening, I counted five below a fruiting Melia Small carnivores are represented here by the Small Indian tree, on the branches of which were feeding some Hoary-bellied Mongoose and the Civets. Mongooses are fairly common, and have Squirrels. The sciurids were choosy and wasteful feeders, nibbling managed to eke out a living scavenging from enclosures and the at, and dropping several ripe fruits, which were instantly picked up bone-pits. Two families have been identified – one has their burrow Inside a City Forest 25 behind the Golden Langur enclosure and the other near the Botanical single or double-noted rhythmic chitter, a loud sharp single-noted Garden. Once, I was puzzled to notice a strange-looking Mongoose, call and a harsh irregular bark, possibly an alarm. with jet-black body and grizzled head disappearing into a burrow. This leaves us with lesser known forms like Bats and Rodents. A patient wait behind a nearby tree was rewarded by another sighting Among the frugivorous bats, The Giant Fruit Bat is seen occasionally, and a good photograph. I returned happy with what I thought was especially when the Anthocephalus tree near the Herbarium Hall starts the picture of a rare melanistic form of Herpestes javanicus. On fruiting. The Short-nosed Fruit Bat too have been sighted returning to the office, my happiness turned to a silly and amused occasionally. As for the insectivorous ones, hardly any serious attempt feeling when my colleague informed me that they had released a to identify them were made. One which looked like the Yellow House black mongoose into the forest earlier that day. It had been rescued Bat was found roosting under the archway of the Botanical Garden; from a snake-charmer, an enterprising fellow who in an attempt to Pipistrelles are fairly common at dusk. Old abandoned sheds, the impress his audience, had painted the poor creature a deep shade Watch Tower, the Spider Cave etc. are other possible areas for finding of black ! These are the kinds of hazards that waylay the roosting colonies. Another less-studied group are the rodents which unsuspecting naturalist. Thus, the rule should be to check, cross- offer ample scope for surveys and studies by interested youngsters. check and confirm again, before arriving at conclusions ! Come night, and it is the time of the civets; the campus has three species – the Common Palm, the Small Indian and the Large Indian Civet. The first is relatively common and is frequently sighted near the office complex itself, while the other two are rare. Characteristic droppings full of seeds are regularly seen; ripe Bel Aegle marmelos fruits are a favourite food for them during the right season. The only sciurid here is the Hoary-bellied Squirrel. Though extremely common throughout its range, little is recorded in literature about it’s natural history. ASZBG would be an ideal place for an ecological study of this species. Once, a congregation of 16 individuals were noticed on two fruiting Melia dubia trees, feeding on the ripe pulp of the fruit. During summer, when the bamboos shed their leaves, one notices the twigs-and-leaves globular nests, built in between the fronds. Another interesting fact, was the wide range of vocalizations that the species had – these included a metallic Sambars at dusk at Lower Lake 26 Inside a City Forest ID. POINTS FOR THE LOCAL CIVETS Species Body Length Weight Throat pattern Coat Pattern Tail Pattern Large Indian 80-85cm 8-9kg Broad black bands on white Mostly uniform; black Banded; 4-8 broad black throat & chest spots on flanks bands Small Indian 45-60cm 2-4kg Narrow black bands on Black spots all over Banded; 8-10 less broad whitethroat black rings Common Palm 42-69cm 3-4kg Unpatterned blackish throat Dark spots coalescing Unmarked; normally dark- into stripes tipped. Himalayan Palm * 60-65cm 3-4kg Unpatterned brown throat Uniform brown of Unmarked; maybe tipped varying shades pale grey. * not recorded in the campus.

To avoid the Macaque menace… ❖ Do not feed wandering Macaques. ❖ Do not venture near large aggressive males. ❖ Do not try to approach very young macaques. ❖ Do not allow children to walk alone with foodstuff. ❖ Avoid passing among a troop of macaques feeding on the ground. ❖ Never stare a threatening macaque in the eye; avert your gaze.

Inside a City Forest 27 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE FREE-RANGING MAMMALS OF ASZBG S.No Name Remarks Family Manidae 1 Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactlyla Few individuals have been released into the forests, but no recent sightings or indirect evidences. Presently there are three living free in the Golden Langur island. Family Soricidae 2 Grey Musk Shrew Suncus murinus Commonly heard and seen at dusk. Specially around the office and quarter area. One noted with two young, near the Quarantine section. Family Pteropodidae 3 Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus Loose flocks can be seen congregating on fruiting trees, especially Anthocephalus and Ficus. 4 Short-nosed Bat Cyanopterus sphinx Occasionally seen; one noticed on a Musa inflorescence taking nectar. Family Rhinolophidae 5 Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus sp. One sighting, at Watch Tower during day, chased by crows. Family Vespertilionidae 6 Pipistrelle Bat Pipistrellus sp. Commonly seen at dusk, hawking for insects. 7 Yellow House Bat Scotophilus sp. One seen near the Office, coming into the verandah to hunt insects. One noted roosting under the Botanical Garden Entrance arch. Family Cercopithecidae 8 Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta Numerous; There are two troops inside, the total numbering around 140. 9 Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus Small groups used to survive till late 80s. Now locally extinct, but for a solitary individual seen recently. Family Canidae 10 Jackal Canis aureus Rare. Sightings and call reported by staff; Tracks seen inside. Family Mustelidae 11 Hog Badger Artonyx collaris One individual was released into the campus in May 2005; no subsequent sightings. 12 Smooth -Coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata One was found in the Bharalu river flowing in front of the zoo; Captured by staff and kept in captivity. Family Viverridae 13 Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Regularly seen; one exceptionally big male noticed on a bamboo clump in evening. 14 Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica Occasionally seen at night, especially along Watch Tower Road. 28 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE FREE-RANGING MAMMALS OF ASZBG S.No Name Remarks 15 Large Indian Civet Viverra zibetha Sightings reported by staff, near the Upper Lake area. Family Herpestidae 16 Small Indian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus Commonly sighted. Regular scavenger at the bone and refuse dump. Two colonies – one near the Aviary and another near the B.Garden. Family Felidae 17 Leopard Panthera pardus Recorded in earlier years; No recent evidence of occurrence. 18 Jungle Cat Felis chaus Reported by staff as preying upon poultry at the residential quarters. Tracks, possibly of this species have been noted. 19 Leopard Cat Felis bengalensis Reported by Battalion Camp staff . One sighting in 2004. Tracks, possibly of this species have been noted near the Upper Lake area. Family Cervidae 20 Sambar Cervus unicolor A small number (3-4) of escapee indviduals survive inside. Two females and fawn noted. 21 Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak Regularly heard and seen ; good thriving population. One was seen devoured by a Python recently. Family Bovidae 22 Serow Naemorhedus sumatrensis The Burmese subspecies rubidus occurs here. 3-4 escapee individuals roam around free; breeding has also been recorded. Family Sciuridae 23 Hoarybellied Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus Very common, especially in and around the exhibit area . Family Muridae 24 House Mouse Mus musculus Very common; Noticed burrowing inside the enclosures. 25 Bandicoot Rat Bandicota sp. Seen occasionally near the staff quarter and quarantine area. 26 Long-tailed Tree Mouse Vandeleuria oleracea Two trapped from the Veterinary section. Family Hystricidae 27 Crestless Porcupine Hystrix brachyura There is a small wild population; in addition, few individuals released into the forests still thrive. No direct sightings recently, but indirect evidences obtained in the form of burrows, tracks, quills, gnaw-signs. Family Leporidae 28 Indian Hare Lepus nigricollis Recorded in earlier years; No recent evidence of occurrence.

Inside a City Forest 29 WHAT’S THAT WARBLER ? a bird-watcher’s guide to the campus Steppe Eagle With the first crow of the rooster on a chilly winter morning, arcane nuances (or utter madness, depending on who looks at it) the keen novice in the fine art of bird-watching sets out to pursue that constitutes hard-core bird watching ! his new-found interest. He has willingly forsaken the cosy warmth Jokes apart, ASZBG campus too has its fair share of warblers, of his bed for the biting chill of the dawn outside. There is a spring but they are far outnumbered (thankfully) by the more colourful in his step as he makes his way to the city forest, supremely and conspicuous birds, many of which gladly forage in the backyards confident after a thorough home-work, having pored over a couple and boldly enter our verandahs. And it is these which initiate many of pictorial guides till late into the night before. Here then, is a city dweller into the fascinating area of nature-watching. Thus, somebody who knows his Scarlet from his Long-tailed Minivet. the novice city birder gingerly starts off with Sparrows and Mynas Now, barely five minutes into the walk, his furrow becomes drawn around his home, learns the ropes of the hobby with Sunbirds and and his face puzzled. The reason of his unhappy bafflement ? A Doves at the local park and soon graduates on to Ioras, Flycatchers scattered flock of drab green birds, small and nondescript, with and assorted waterfowl in the neighbourhood jungle and wetland. white eye-brows and whitish wing-bars, calling to each other as And before long, he is ready to tackle the cryptic world of winter they glean the foliage for lurking insects, now fluttering after a waders, raptors on passage and of course, every beginner’s nightmare disturbed moth, then diving behind a dropping midge. Admittedly, as recounted above – the leaf warblers. Obviously, his interest is all there is hardly anything remarkable about these plain-plumaged fired up and he is always on the look-out for areas where he can add birds save their cheerful chitter, and one can’t but sympathise with new species to his growing life list (an overwhelming pursuit of the clueless beginner. And from his gloomy visage mutely echoes which makes him a twitcher, a birder’s jargon for somebody who that immemorial question of the greenhorn birder – what o’ what is that warbler ? Welcome then, to the mysterious world of Leaf and Bush Warblers and similar cryptic birds including post-breeding pipits, female Rosefinches, moulting raptors and gulls in eclipse; a world of square-ending versus wedge-ending supercilia, orangish contra orange ceres, pale-tipped as opposed to dark-tipped upper mandibles, hind-claws longer or shorter than the hind-toes, and faint buff v/s grayish buff coronal bands ! No doubt, all this is greek in the beginning, but rest assured, the persevering and studious bird-watcher shall certainly overcome. Soon he will revel in the Cinereous Vulture Blue-winged Leafbird Jerdon’s Baza 30 Inside a City Forest relentlessly pursuits new species to add them to his list-of-birds- out boldly into the jungle clearings, tail-tip streamers following their seen !). This quest takes him out of his familiar confines to zig zag course like a pair of black bumble bees ! Along with hinterlands further afield, perhaps even to wildlife sanctuaries or Bronzed and Spangled Drongos, Ioras, Black-hooded Orioles, national parks. Well, for such itinerant bird-watchers in the city of Scarlet Minivets and Leaf Birds, they form regular members of Guwahati, one can suggest a morning stroll inside ASZBG, before the “bird waves” that sweep the forest in search of insect prey. As they take off to far and exotic destinations. Let me assure you, it they flit through the canopy and the middle tier, the undergrowth shall be an extremely rewarding exercise; you might even cancel bristles with the cheeps and chirrups of Abbot’s, Puff-throated your jungle trip for a much later date! No less than 173 species and Striped Tit Babblers; at times they are joined by that consummate belonging to 38 families have been sighted here in the campus, just songster, the Shama. Other notable resident birds include the Lesser in the last year alone. Coucal, Black-naped Monarch, Grey-crowned Pygmy Thus, within the dense forests, bamboo jungle and open Woodpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Scarlet-backed Flower-pecker and woodland within ASZBG, several species live and breed. The largest the Crested Goshawk. Once, while on my way along the watch- and most striking among them is the Large Green-billed Malkoha, tower road, I noticed something reddish sticking out of one of the a non-parasitic cuckoo which despite its large size remains mostly globular nest of the black tree-ants, of which there were several in unseen, thanks to its silent nature and remarkable dexterity in weaving the locality. Closer inspection revealed a Rufous Woodpecker, with it’s way quietly through tangled creepers and foliage. The way it it’s head outside its newly-bored nest-hole inside a big Crematogaster makes its presence scarce, once it detects you is remarkable - it is up ant nest. All this is during day time; perchance you choose to pass and away before you can say Malkoha ! In striking contrast are the by during moonlit nights, then hearken to the calls of the resident Racket-tailed Drongos, both Greater and Lesser, which announce owls; if you are particularly lucky you might even get to see the rare their presence with loud whistles and metallic ringing calls. They fly rufous phase of the dainty Oriental Scops Owl. Come winter, and the bird diversity gets augmented by the arrival of the migrants – some of them moving down from the high Himalayas and others coming in from areas further beyond. A few are on their their way to more warmer climes further south and choose to spend only a short time here; they are passage migrants - the Forest Wagtail, remarkable in the way it shakes its tail (sideways and not up and down) is one among them. This is the time when the resident mixed flock foraging parties get new members : Canary Flycatchers, and a host of Leaf and Flycatcher-warblers. Other Eurasian Tree Sparrow Green-billed Malkoha prominent additions to the local bird list are the exquisite Daurian Inside a City Forest 31 Redsart, Grey, White and Citrine Wagtails, Rosy and Long-billed song. ASZBG comes alive Minivets, dapper-looking Little Pied Flycatchers and Small Niltavas with birdsong ! Apart from and the strangely gaudy-drab Maroon Oriole ! The campus does these resident breeders, a get its share of celebrity visitors too – a Black-backed Forktail and few species also move in a Blue Whistling Thrush, both found along the shady stream that with the rains to breed and flows down from the Upper Lake. Notwithstanding this burst of raise the brood – Munias bird activity, one realizes that this is a time to see, but not to hear for instance. In all, in the last the birds; most are silent or are content to make do with succinct year alone, evidences of call-notes. But once the chill of winter gives way to the pleasant breeding could be noticed days of approaching warmth, the birds too, along with the snow for about 40 species within Lesser Adjutant Greater Adjutant peaks of the far Himalayas, start to thaw – spring is in the air and the campus. Stork Stork broken snatches of songs are heard endorsing that fact, hesitantly Well, these are the regulars. There are some itinerant visitors too, yet. Soon one listens to the Barbets slurring upon their staccato mainly three species of Green Pigeons, whose arrival coincides utterings and male Magpie Robins rehearsing their past year’s unfailingly with the fruiting of certain trees, notably several species repertoire in little runs of feeble sub-song; they commence haltingly of Ficus and Bridelia retusa. Unlike these regular visitors there are only to stop midway, as if their memories had failed them; perhaps some whimsical ones too, whose arrival here has no rhyme or reason they want the females to listen only once the songs are perfect ! (more correctly, we haven’t deciphered them so far !); these are And as they work hard at their practice sessions, the cuckoo time either vagrants or extremely rare species. Cinereous Vulture, dawns - they move in utterly unannounced into the campus – Koel, Common Buzzard, Crow-billed Drongo, Black-winged Cuckoo Indian and the Common Hawk Cuckoos. One day it is the chill of Shrike and the Little Crake are the prominent among them. A a winter dawn relieved just by the soft spectacular bird which thus turned up in the campus this October “chiz-wit” of a Hume’s Warbler; the next was the Jerdon’s Baza, a rare and elusive hawk, discontinuously day the campus resounds to the distributed in the W.Ghats and the E.Himalayas. It is birds like this screaming crescendo of the Hawk Baza that makes birding such an exciting hobby with every outing Cuckoo! Spring and with it, the an occasion to look forward to; one never knows what one shall breeding time has definitely arrived. Lest encounter on a given day ! their songs get drowned in all this Finally, there are the birds of the open sky, species which are cacophony, Shamas and Magpie Robins seen mostly in flight. Greater Adjutant Storks with their huge drop all attempts at perfecting their wingspan and several birds of prey (of which 18 species have been Red Jungle Fowl ditties and launch forthwith into spirited recorded inside ASZBG) falls in this list; among them the most 32 Inside a City Forest easily sighted is the Black or the Pariah Kite which swarms the zoo dwindling numbers, a species which has seen a significant reduction in large numbers. There is also a large roost inside the campus. is the Red Jungle Fowl. Only a few birds survive now. They eke out Among the other soarers, one notices the Crested Serpent and the a precarious existence and one hopes that they will not face the Changeable Hawk Eagles occasionally along with the Crested Honey same plight as that of the Black Partridge. The partridge is now Buzzard. Unfortunately, Vultures which used to be found in locally extinct; the campus shall no longer resonates to the cheery considerable numbers (till early nineties, reportedly, congregations “pyaz adrak lassun” call of this lovely bird (this being the N. Indian of 50-60 used to be regularly sighted inside the open enclosures of version of the call; here in Assam, I have heard it being rendered the large carnivores) are now hardly to be seen. And talking of inter alia,as“pan beedi cigarette” also !) ID. POINTS FOR THE OWL CALLS OF ASZBG Species Calls Best heard at

Brown Fish Owl deep hollow-sounding boom-boom or boom-o-boom repeated at intervals Upper Lake

Brown Hawk Owl diagnostic musical hoot ooo-uk, one every second repeated in runs of 6-20; Bandar Tilla Juvenile has a mewing call.

Barn Owl variety of discordant long-drawn shrieks and chuckles; a strange rasping Parking Lot screech; hissing sound.

Barred Owlet slow kao repeated 3-4 times followed by kao-kuk,kao-kuk, kao-kuk etc.; a DFO Office Complex bubbling continuous woioioioioioioi…….keek

Spotted Owlet harsh screechy chirrur-chirrur-chirur followed or alternated by loud cheevak Childen’s Park cheevak cheevak…; also other discordant chuckles and shrieks.

Oriental Scops Owl very regular and rhythmic tuk tuk torok or uk-kukru that carries far and Watch Tower Area continues for a long time.

Inside a City Forest 33 ID. POINTS FOR Phylloscopus & Siecercus WARBLERS OF ASZBG Species Size Basic plumage Head Pattern Wing bars White Micro- Calls in cm. (head & back, edges habitat underparts) to tail Phylloscopus fuscatus 11 Brown,white Prominent white brow No No Grass, scrub Single-noted chack (supercilium)

Phylloscopus affinis 11 Green,yellow Bright yellow brow No `NoBushes, low Feeble chip or ttsip concolorous with throat trees

P.maculipennis 9 Grey, green, Whitish brow, grey crown Yes, two Yes Trees Short swit pale-yellow stripe

P.humei 11 Green, white Whitish brow, faint crown Yes, one clear No Trees A sweet chilip, not stripe, sometimes absent other faint distinctly double- noted as next

P.trochiloides 11 Green, white White brow, no crown Yes, very fine No Trees Loud slurred stripe double-noted chili- wee

P.coronatus 11 Green, white White brow, crown stripe Yes, one clear No Trees Call usually not heard in winter

Siecercus xanthoschistos 10 Grey,green, White supercilium, grey No Yes Trees, bushes A distinctive oft- yellow crown with pale median repeated psit-psit and stripe a sweet rambling song towards end of winter

Siecercus burkii 10 Green,green, Broad black brow; yellow One very faint Faint Understorey, Double-noted pillip, yellow eye-ring bamboo single sharp chiw uttered every few seconds

34 Inside a City Forest ID. POINTS FOR THE CUCKOOS OF ASZBG

Species Size Plumage colour & Brood Parasites Calls in cm. diagnostic pointers Common Hawk Cuckoo 34 Grey & white; banded tail Mainly on Turdoides Loud shrieking high-pitched wee- babblers. peewhit (accent on second syllable)in runs of 4-6 crescendo calls rising to frantic shrillness and breaking off abruptly. To start again !

Indian Cuckoo 33 Grey & white; unbarred tail Mainly drongos. Loud 4-noted whistle tee-ti-tee-ti, rendered in Assamese as moi keteki or bou-kaka-kot

Banded Bay Cuckoo 24 Rufous brown; black eye-patch with Ioras, Bulbuls, Loud 4-noted whistle wee-ti-tee-ti, white eye-brow Timaliid babblers. similar to the next bird but higher in key; song is a sweet tee-titee-teeti- titee-teeti ? rising in scale an ending interrogatively.

Drongo Cuckoo 25 Black; drongo-like; forked tail Mainly on drongos; A run of 5-6 evenly spaced high- barred with white below also minivets. pitched musical notes pip-pip-pip-pip- pip as if the bird was counting 1-2- 3-4-5

Pied Cuckoo 33 Black and white; crest and white Mainly Turdoides Loud metallic piu-piu, pee-pee-piu, wing-patch babblers. pee-pee-piu mostly uttered in wing

Asian Koel 43 Male is all black; female is speckled Crows. Loud shrill whistle ku-oooo… ku- white on brown; thinly barred tail . oooo….in runs of 7-8; also a kuoo- kuoo-kuoo-kuoo-kuk, ascending in scale and mostly heard at dawn.

Inside a City Forest 35 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY PHALACROCORACIDAE Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo WL N R Two sightings of immature birds at the Pelican Lake, probably birds on passage. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger WL R F Commonly seen in small numbers at the Pelican and Upper Lakes. FAMILY ARDEIDAE Great Egret Ardea alba WL N R One sighting of an adult in non-breeding plumage in Aviary Marsh. Little Egret Egretta garzetta WL R F Seen regularly at Pelican Lake. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis WL,EN,OW R Commonly seen inside Sambar and Rhino enclosures and Botanical Garden meadows. Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia WL LM C Occasionally met with at the Upper Lake. Pond Heron Ardeola grayii WL BR R Commonly seen; one nest built inside the Aviary. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax WL R C Regularly seen at Pelican Lake. A small roost at the Crocodile Pond. Little Green Heron Ardeola striatus WL LM C Rarely seen at dusk near the Aviary Marsh; once at Golden Langur moat. FAMILY CICONIIDAE Greater Adjutant Stork Leptoptlilos dubius OS R U Seen regularly in flight above the zoo. Lesser Adjutant Stork L.javanicus OS LM F Seen occasionally in flight above the zoo. Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans WL N U Few records at the Aviary Marsh.

FAMILY ANATIDAE Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica WL R U Used to occur in flocks of 50-100 earlier; have almost disappeared in recent times. Flocks still reportedly come to the Upper Lake during night.

36 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY ACCIPITRIDAE Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni DF ? U One bird photographed near Hathi Tila trail. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo OS V I One sighting of a bird in flight in winter, above the Rock Fields. Shikra Accipiter badius DF,OF BR I Regularly seen; One nest found near the Battalion Camp. Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus DF R U Occasionally met with at the Jungle Trail. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus OS PM I Rarely seen in flight; Roosting site suspected at the Rock Field area. White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis OS,EN ? R Seen in early 90s in groups upto 50. Now almost extinct. Six sightings of 2-3 birds in the past one year. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus OS ? R One sighting above hillock, of a bird soaring with Pariah Kites in April. Cinereous Vullture Aegypius monachus OS V I Two sightings of adults soaring above the zoo in May. Black Kite Milvus migrans govinda OS,EN,HB BR,PM I Very common; Large communal roost in Ailanthus trees near Office Complex during winter. Black-eared Kite M.m.linetaus OS PM C Three sightings above the hillock; One at the Sambar enclosure. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela OS,DF R R Occasioanally heard and seen at the hillock.

Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus OS,DF R U Occasioanally seen at the hillock.

Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus OS,DF R U Occasioanally seen at the hillock. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis OS PM R Seen at times soaring over the rock field. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus OS ? I One sighting of a dark phase bird in winter.

Inside a City Forest 37 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY FALCONIDAE Amur Falcon Falco amurensis OS PM I Three sightings, all in Oct-Nov of solitary birds in flight and hawking for insects. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus GL, OS W U Occasionally seen near the Rock Field area. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus calidus OS W U Seen in flight above the campus occasionally. FAMILY PHASIANIDAE Peafowl Pavo cristatus OF R U 3 Escapee individuals are found near the enclosure area; Have bred outside earlier, but no recent records of breeding. Red Jungle Fowl Gallus gallus DF,BM BR ? U Was reportedly common earlier; now rare. Hen with well-grown young have been observed. Black Partridge Francolinus francolinus ? ? ? Recorded earlier by birders. Locally extinct ? FAMILY RALLIDAE White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis WL BR F Commonly seen and heard near wetlands; Young phoenicurus chicks with parents noted. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea WL LM? U Two sightings at Sambar Lake. Little Crake Porzana sp WL V? I One sighting at the Aviary Marsh. Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio WL BR F Escapee individuals live and breed near the Aviary Marsh . FAMILY CHARADRIIDAE Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus EN R U Rarely seen at the Rhino enclosure. FAMILY SCOLOPACIDAE Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos WL W R Three sightings in winter. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus WL W R Two sightings in winter.

38 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY COLUMBIDAE Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto OW LM I Very rarely seen near Rhino enclosure. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica DF,BM BR U Commonly seen and heard in the Jungle Trail; One bird observed collecting nesting material in May. Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia HB BR C Common near the Office Complex. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis OW,HB BR C Very common; Three nests found, one in Bamboo clump. Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora DF,OF LM U Seen occasionally in fruiting Ficus. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon T. phoenicoptera DF,OF LM U Seen occasionally in fruiting Ficus. Thick-billed Green Pigeon T.curvirostra DF,OF LM U Seen occasionally in fruiting Ficus; found on ground inside Rhino enclosure feeding on scattered grains and dung. Green Imperial Pigeon # Ducula aenea Unconfirmed sighting by an earlier bird survey. FAMILY PSITTACIDAE Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri OW R F Commonly heard and seen. Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri DF LM R Occasional sightings of loose flocks in the forest; Harsh calls dignostic. FAMILY CUCULIDAE Common Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus varius DF,OF,HB R F Calls heard from December itself, but stops in June. Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus DF,OF, LM U Calls heard starting from February to July. Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii DF LM? I One sighting at BG Trail Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus OW SM ? I One sighting of a bird in flight,calling near Battalion Camp. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea DF,OF,HB LM F Song heard from February. Large Green-billed Malkoha Rhopodytes tristis DF,BM BR U Regularly seen along the Watch Tower Road and Battalion Camp Road.

Inside a City Forest 39 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY CUCULIDAE Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis OW,GL R R Rarely seen in the forest areas. Lesser Coucal Centropus toulou GL BR R Seen only in the grass and scrub-covered Hengerabari hillock, beyond the Battalion Camp. Juveniles also seen. FAMILY STRIGIDAE Barn Owl Tyto alba OW,HB R? R Rarely seen, mainly near the main entrance, at night. Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides DF,BM,OF BR F Commonly seen and heard; one roosts in the Agathis tree in front of Office Complex. Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia DF,BM R U Calls heard often at night. One bird seen at night, calling near the watch-tower. One spotted roosting in bamboo belonged to the rufous morph. Spotted Owlet Athene brama OW,HB BR C Very common. Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata OW,HB BR U Seen and heard often near the Watch Tower Road. Two birds roost on trees near the Bandar Tila. Brown Fish Owl ? Ketupa zeylonensis DF,WL R? R Two Bubo sightings at dusk near the Upper Lake, might be of this species . FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDAE Common Indian Nightjar # Caprimulgus ? ? ? Unconfirmed sighting by an earlier bird survey. asiaticus FAMILY APODIDAE Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus OW,OS R U Occasionally seen and heard, near the Rock Field. House swift Apus affinis OS R U Occasionally seen above the hillock. Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirotris OS LM I One sighting of a small flock in February. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba OS LM I Two birds in flight in April, above the hillock.

40 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY ALCEDINIDAE White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smrynensis WL,OW BR C Commonly heard and seen; A nest-hole excavated in the earth bank besides the Crocodile Pond. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis WL BR F Seen occasionally I the lakes and Aviary wetland. One bird frequents both the Crocodile Pond and the wet moat of the Golden Langur. Lesser Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis ? ? ? Sighting by an earlier bird survey. No recent record. FAMILY MEROPIDAE Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis OW LM U Small flocks near the Rhino Moat in winter. Blue-bearded Bee-Eater Nyctyornis athertoni DF LM R Two sightings in winter along Upper Lake road. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti OW LM U Loose flocks of 4-5 birds at the forests near Botanical Garden. Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus WL,OW LM U Flocks at the hillock and the Rock Field; A communal roost of about 40 birds near the Upper Lake. FAMILY CORACIDAE Indian Roller Coracias bengalensis OW BR F Fairly commonly seen. FAMILY UPUPIDAE Common Hoopoe Upupa epops OW W,LM ? R One sighting near Botanical Garden. FAMILY CAPITONIDAE Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica DF,OF BR C Common; nest-holes observed in Melia, Spathodium and dead trunk of Ailanthus. Lineated Barbet M.lineata DF LM R Moves into the campus during post-monsoon season. One boring a nest-hole on Mango tree near G.Langur enclosure. Rarely noted in winter. Coppersmith Barbet M.haemacephala DF,OF BR U Occasioanlly heard and seen. Seven seen together in fruiting Bridelia tree near Bandar Tila in April .

Inside a City Forest 41 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY CAPITONIDAE Large Green Barbet # M.zeylanica Unconfirmed sighting by an earlier bird survey. FAMILY PICIDAE Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus DF,BM BR U Few sightings in the forests; one bird observed excavating a nest hole inside a tree-ant nest, along the Watch Tower Road in May. Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium bengalense DF,OF BR F Occasioanlly heard and seen, along BG Trail. Grey-capped Pygmy Dendrocopus canicapillus DF,OF ? U Three sightings, at the hill top forest. Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker Picoides DF,OF R R Two sigtings at the Watch Tower road. macei FAMILY HIRUNDINIDAE Striated Swallow Hirundo striolata OF,GL SM U Occasional sighings above grass-scrub near Battalion Camp. Common Swallow Hirundo rustica WL,OW W U Small flocks hawking above hillock and Upper Lake after August. FAMILY LANIIDAE Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus DF,OF W F The earliest winter visitor to the campus; first recorded on 16 August. Grey-backed Shrike L.tephronotus DF,OF LM U Few birds come to the campus in winter; One regularly seen inside Golden Langur island. FAMILY ORIOLDAE Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus DF W U Five sightings in winter, all females inside the forest. Black-hooded Oriole O.xanthornus DF,OF BR C Common all along the well-wooded tract. Maroon Oriole O. trailii DF W R One sighting near Battalion Camp. FAMILY DICRURIDAE Black Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis OW,HB BR F Common near the Rhino enclosures ; B. Garden.

42 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY DICRURIDAE Ashy Drongo D.leucophaeus DF,OF W U Small numbers along the Forest during winter. Crow-billed Drongo D.annectans DF V I Doubtful sighting by earlier bird survey. Bronzed Drongo D.aeneus DF R U Occasioanl sightings, especially near the Bamboo patches. Spangled Drongo D.hottenttotus DF,OF,BM BR F Observed regularly inside the forest patch; flocks in the flowering Eucalyptus near entrance. White-bellied Drongo # D.caerulescens Recorded by an earlier bird survey; Unconfirmed. Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo D.remifer DF,BM BR U Regularly seen along the Watch Tower Road. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo D.paradiseus DF BR? R Three sightings in November. FAMILY STURNIDAE Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus DF,OF LM U Small flocks come to the campus in winter. Asian Pied Starling S.contra WL,OW BR F Commonly heard and seen. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis HB,OF,EN BR C Commonly heard and seen. Jungle Myna A.fuscus HB,OF,EN BR F Commonly heard and seen. White-vented Myna A.cinereus WL LM U Two sightings in July. A pair attempting to nest in a Hill Myna Gracula relegiosa DF R U Rain tree chased away by C.Mynas. FAMILY CORVIDAE Rufous Tree-pie Dendrocitta vagabunda DF,OF BR F Regularly seen calling; and flying above the zoo. House Crow Corvus splendens HB,EN BR F Regularly seen and heard . Seen regularly near the enclosures, especially that of Sambar. Large-billed Crow C.macrorhynchos HB,OF,EN BR F Common; Regular scavenger at the bone dumping pit.

Inside a City Forest 43 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY CAMPEPHAGIDAE Large Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae DF BR U Commonly seen and heard near the BG Trail. Scarlet Minivet P.flammeus DF LM U Local migrant in small numbers in winter. Small Minivet P.cinnamomeus DF,OF LM R Three sightings in winter. Rosy Minivet P.roseus DF W R One sighting in winter near Bone dumping Ground. Long-tailed Minivet P.ethologus DF W U Local migrant in small numbers in winter. Common Wood Shrike Tephrodornus DF,OF ? ? Unconfirmed sighting by an earlier bird survey. pondicerianus Large Wood Shrike Tephrodornis gularis DF R U Small numbers come to the campus in summer ; calls disgnostic. Blackwinged Cuckoo Shrike Coracina DF,OF SM U Three sightings at BG Trail. melanoschistos FAMILY IRENIDAE Common Iora Aegithinia tiphia DF,OF BR F Fairly commonly heard and seen. Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons DF,OF R F Regular member of bird-waves in the forest area. Blue-winged Leafbird C.cochinchinensis DF,BM R U Rarely seen in the Botanical Garden Trail. FAMILY PYCNONOTIDAE Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus DF,BM LM U Local migrants to the campus in small numbers. Black-crested Yellow Bulbul P.melanicterus DF,OF,HB BR F Fairly common; Fledglings observed in June. flaviventris Red-vented Bulbul P.cafer DF BR,LM C Very common. A small resident population probably gets augmented by migrant birds after rains. White-throated Bulbul Alophoixes flaveolus DF W R One sighting at the Watch Tower Road.

44 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY MUSCICAPIDAE Timalinae Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus OW,HB BR U Two flocks. One found near the Battalion camp area and the other inside the Botanical Garden Trail. Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps DF,BM BR F Commonly seen and heard; Courting display and copulating observed. Striped Tit-Babbler Macrounus gularis DF,BM BR F Commonly seen and heard; Freshly fledged chicks were seen in April. Spot-throated Babbler Pellorneum albiventre DF,BM W R Three sightings in dense undergrowth in winter. Abbot’s Babbler Malacocinchla abbotti DF,BM BR F Commonly heard in the forest area,bamboo patch. Muscicapinae Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa DF,BM,OF W F Common winter-visitor. ceylonensis Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi DF W R Two sightings inside the forest. Red-throated Flycacher Ficedula parva OW W C Common; The first winter visitor to arrive; some over-wintering also noticed. Black-naped Blue Monarch Hypothymis azurea DF,BM BR F Common; One female observed collecing nesting material in June Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanii OW W U Three sightings in open clearing inside forest near Post-mortem House, and near Botanical Garden Small Niltava Niltava macgregoriae DF W R A few sightings in winter. Sylvinae Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler Cettia fortipes DF W I One sighting in winter near Bone dumping Ground. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum WL PM? R Few sightings in late August.

Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius OW BR C Very commonly heard and seen.

Inside a City Forest 45 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status Sylvinae Dusky Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus OW W R One sighting near Hathi Tila. Greenish Leaf Warbler P.trochiloides DF,OF W U Occasionally seen in winter. Hume’s Leaf Warbler P.humei DF,OF W F Regularly seen in winter. Tickell’s Leaf Warbler P.affinis DF,OF W R Few sightings in winter. Ashy-throated Warbler P.maculipennis DF W I Two sightings in winter White-spectacled Warbler Siecercus affinis DF,BM,OF W U Loose flocks of 4-5 birds in bamboo thickets in winter. Grey-headed Warbler Siecercus xanthoschistos DF W I One sighting near Hathi Tilla in winter. Turdinae Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis OW,HB BR C Common; One observed breeding inside a tree-hole near Postmortem House. White-rumped Shama C.malabaricus HB,BM BR F Commonly seen and heard. Juveniles also noticed. Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus OW,EN W U One male regularly observed in the Sambar enclosure. Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata OW W R One sighting near Aviary. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius OW W R A male near the Battalion Camp and a female at Hathi Tila in winter. Orange-headed Ground Thrush Zoothera DF LM R Two sightings in winter, near the Sambar lake. citrina Blue WhistlingThrush Myophonus caeruleus DF,BM W U One bird in winter, along Botanical Garden Stream. FAMILY PARIDAE Great Tit Parus major DF,OF BR F Very common; Adults feeding young in May. FAMILY MOTACILLIDAE Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsonii OW, DF W U Small flocks seen inside the forest trails in winter. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus hodgsonii WL,EN LM U 2-3 birds near the Botanical Garden meadows.

46 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY MOTACILLIDAE Forest Wagtail Motacilla indica DF PM R Three sightings along the watch-tower road in September. Yellow Wagtail M.flava WL PM U 3-4 individuals observed regularly at the Botanical Garden area. Citrine Wagtail M. citreola WL,EN PM U Few observed near enclosures, especially that of Rhino. Indian Pied Wagtail M.alba WL,EN W F Sightings in early winter, especially near the Rhino moat. Grey Wagtail M.cinerea WL,EN W F Few individuals are seen along the same territories in winter. FAMILY DICAEIDAE Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile DF BR U Occasionally seen at Mistletoe clumps near the Watch Tower. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker D.ignipectus DF LM R Two sightings, at Mistletoe clumps near the Watch Tower; one taking nectar from Holmskioldia. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker D.cruentatum DF R U Few sightings near the Watch Tower and the Battal- ion Camp. Feeds on Holmskioldia flowers. FAMILY NECTARINIIDAE Purple sunbird Nectarinia asiatica DF,OF LM F Local migrants to the campus, seen feeding on a variety of flowers. Flowering Serculia colorata a favourite. Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja DF,OF LM F Sighted occasionally. Young ones seen fed in April. FAMILY ZOSTEROPIDAE Oriental White-Eye Zosterops palpebrosa DF LM F Loose flocks of 5-6 observed taking nectar from Holmskoldia flowers in winter.

Inside a City Forest 47 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Habitat Resid. Freq. Remarks Status FAMILY PLOCEIDAE Passerinae House Sparrow Passer domesticus HB,EN R U Small numbers near the habitation. Eurasian Tree Sparrow P.montanus HB R U Small numbers near the habitation. A small flock is found near the Hathi Tilla shed. Estrildinae Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus OW,WL LM R Summer visitor; a small flock stayed at the Upper Lake area for a week in May. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata WL,OW,GL SM U Summer visitor; seen gleaning grass seeds near the Botanical Gaden . Black-headed Munia Lonchura malaca GL SM U Comes to the campus during rains; One pair seen collecting nesting material in June.

RESIDENTIAL STATUS CODES FREQUENCY CODES HABITAT CODES (Indicates the status of the bird within the (Probability of sighting in the suitable habitat (The general area used by the birds) campus and it’s movement patterns) at the right time of the year) *

R:Resident throughout the year C (Common) : 9-10 times out of 10 visits DF : Dense Forest, Undergrowth BR : Breeding Resident F (Fairly common) : 6-8 times out of 10 visits OF : Open Forest, Parkland and Scrub LM : Resident with some local movements U (Uncommon) : 3-5 times out of 10 visits BM : Bamboo Patch SM : Summer / Monsoon visitor R (Rare) : 0-2 times out of 10 visits GL : Grassland W:Winter visitor I (Irregular) : Occurrence is too irregular to HB : Human habitation, Homesteads N:Nomadic visior with no apparent seasonality assign to any of the frequency WL : Wetlands (Lakes and Swamps) PM : Passage migrant classes EN : Open Enclosures V:Vagrant (Only a single or a couple of records) * Subjective assessment OS : Open sky; seen in flight

# Recorded by earlier bird surveys; confirmation desirable.

48 Inside a City Forest WHEN THE TUCKTOO CALLS… introducing the campus reptiles Hood mark of cobra The word “reptile” immediately conjures up in the mind of the members in the campus. The lone member of the Land Tortoise listener, the image of a slithering snake. But in reality, it is a term (family Testudinidae) is the Elongated Tortoise which makes the which includes a very diverse assemblage of widely differing groups Golden Langur Island its home. The wet moat around this island is like turtles, tortoises, geckos, skinks, monitors, and garden lizards. a good place to sight some of the above-mentioned species. Recently Though extremely rich in terms of the number of species and the a huge Indian Softshell, weighing 34 kg was released here. Roofed kinds of microhabitats they occupy, reptiles are not easy to come Terrapin is the one seen basking most often, on the shores or on by for a casual observer. This is largely because of their cryptic partly submerged logs. Softshell Turtles are also noticed swimming colouration and secretive habits. In the ASZBG campus, 30 species just below the surface or feeding on pieces of bread thrown inside of reptiles belonging to 8 families have been recorded till date, the moats by the visitors. During the rainy season, when the water living wild. surface reaches the same level as that of the island, softshells have Although no wild turtles and tortoises have been noted here, been noticed to clamber up on to the land, and even walk around. several species have been introduced into the various wet moats, Eggs have also been found, which indicate that the testudines lakes and other wetlands inside, in the past few years. The Freshwater (species unknown) have also started to breed here. Tortoises (Terrapins) belonging to the family Bataguridae is Among the Lizards, the most common and easily observed are represented by the Spotted Black, Roofed and the Malayan Box the Geckos (family Gekkonidae), characterized by lamellated toes Turtles. The Freshwater or Mud Turtles (family Trionychidae)have and vertical pupil. The campus is remarkably diverse in this group, Peacock, Ganges & Indian Flap-shell and the Chitra Turtles as its with no less than seven species recorded here. Among them, the

Burmese Rock Python Khasi Hill Bent-toed Gecko Common Indian Monitor Mock Viper Inside a City Forest 49 The most striking in this group is the Tucktoo, perhaps the largest among all the Indian geckos. The names, both Assamese & Elongated Tortoise Flat-tailed Gecko Monocled Cobra Riverside Skink English are most common is the Southern House Gecko, the usual house lizard derived from the loud “ka-ko”or“tuk-tu” calls that it makes, often that one finds on walls, waiting for insects near electric bulbs and resounding in the night. This is a forest lizard which needs large lamps. Their chuck chuck chuck call is a very familiar sound of the trees and wooded areas for its survival; it is on the decline and campus after dusk. Interestingly, these geckos have a remarkable small populations still exist within large compounds like this in ability to change their colour; thus the ones inhabiting the tree- Guwahati. trunks are coloured a shade of mottled brown. Karen Gecko is a The rarest among the gekkonids is the Day Gecko Cnemaspis very similar species, but lacks the tubercles and tiny spines on the assamensis, characterized by undilated digits and round pupil, an tail; Brook’s Gecko on the other hand is another similar species endemic species whose presence in Assam was reported only superficially, but has a much more rougher dorsum and tail; it is recently. A comprehensive survey of its population and distribution best identified when at hand. The Flat-tailed Gecko is easily identified within the campus has to be taken up; only two individuals has by its flattened base of tail and slightly frilled appendages. It has been sighted so far - one from a rock face and another from a tree been located on the sides of drains, large rock-faces and occasionally trunk. The Rock Field area with fissured and mossy rock faces, is on tree trunks; the spider cave rock is a good place for spotting possibly one of its favoured localities. Another endemic gekkonid them. An extremely interesting Gecko, which exhibits characteristics to be discovered here is the Khasi Bent-toed Gecko, a forest species. of both Cosymbotus and some of the Hemidactylus has also been One individual with regenerating tail was found among the bushes seen; studies are underway to determine its exact taxonomic position. growing by the Upper Lake trail recently.

50 Inside a City Forest ID. POINTS FOR CAMPUS GEKKONIDS*

Species Mean Body Colour Diagnostic feature Ecology, Microhabitat Call adult size Gekko gecko 150 mm Grey to dark grey A large sturdy species Lives on large trees in crevices; a A very loud with numerous red with massive head; perianthropic species, no basking double-noted spots dorsal pattern of red behavior; mostly in pair; males are ka-ko spots territorial; feeds on a wide variety of food from insects to other small reptiles and chicks; clutch size 2. Best seen near Reptile House & Museum Hemidactylus frenatus 55 mm Variable, from Dorsum with An euryoecious species, living in a Many noted grey to brown and numerous small wide variety of habitat, common tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk- sometimes quite tubercles forming on walls and stone heaps; Noctur- tuk dark; dorsum incomplete rows; tail nal hunting and diurnal basking frequently with weakly segmented (specifically in morning hours); A markings with short tubercles very agile climber; prefers large along the margin of insects as food; clutch size 2. Best segments seen at Office Complex. Hemidactylus brookii 46 mm Light brown to Dorsum with Lives mainly on walls and tree 5-6 noted dark, dark brown numerous large, trunk; essentially nocturnal; exhibits slurring chack- spots on the strongly keeled, hodtile social interaction; feeds chack-chack— dorsum, a dark conical tubercles and exclusively on arthropods; clutch chack-chack streak along the rows of dark brown size 2 Best seen at abandoned side of the head spots, tail strongly Battalion camp. . verticillate

*prepared with inputs from Dr.Saibal Sengupta Inside a City Forest 51 ID. POINTS FOR CAMPUS GEKKONIDS #

Species Mean Body Colour Diagnostic feature Ecology, Microhabitat Call adult size Hemidactylus 55 mm Greyish brown Back with numerous Lives mainly on walls and tree Not heard karenorum with distinct dark rounded conical trunk; mostly nocturnal longitudinal streaks tubercles intermixed or spots with smaller granules Cosymbotus platyurus 54 mm Greyish brown Flat tail, wide at base; Very agile mostly found close to Not heard with white and lateral fold along the their retreats; found on tree trunks dark marks sides of the body; a occasionally on ground; mostly dermal appendage diurnal; food consists small on the posterior side arthropods; breeding through out of the thigh the year, clutch size 2. Best seen at Spider Cave and Battalion Camp area. Cyrtodactylus khasiensis 60 mm Striking pattern of Body with blackish Rocks and cuttings near streams in Not heard 4 longitudinal spots, tail white forest areas. Best seen near Upper blotchy bars on banded, toes bent Lake. the back; barred and clawed without tail. adhesive plike hemidactylus sp. Cnemaspis assamensis 30 mm Brownish with Small size, slender Tree bark in good forest and Not heard regular gey-edged undilated digits and mossy rocks. Best seen at BG trail. black chevron round pupil. Two marks on dorsum. black marks behind neck.

52 Inside a City Forest # prepared with inputs from Dr. Saibal Sengupta and Abhijit Das Next comes the Skinks (family Scincidae) characterized by male individual captured from elsewhere was released inside the smooth, or keeled shiny scales and head with distinct shields. Often campus. mistaken for snakes when hurriedly glimpsed as they rummage Coming to Snakes, 17 species belonging to 5 families have been among the leaf litter, four species are recorded here in the campus seen inside the campus. Among the most common species and the - White-spotted Supple, Many-lined Grass, Little Grass and Riverside sole member of Boidae, is the Burmese Rock Python, reported Skinks. The forest species have a characteristic habit of hiding in occasionally from the forests. A number of specimens rescued and out of dried leaf litter and mulch, and can be difficult to spot. from areas within Guwahati has been brought here and released, They are best seen clearly when out basking in mornings, on sun-lit augmenting the local population. It is the major predator of many spots or fallen logs. The last mentioned is often found near the species in the campus, recently one was reportedly observed in the rocky stream-beds while Little Grass Skinks find the litter-covered process of devouring a young Barking Deer. Another recent incident bamboo undergrowth to it’s liking. was when a python entered the large aviary and captured a full The family Varanidae, told apart by their large and flattened grown Bar-headed Geese. Though the snake was caught in the act body, long neck & tail, and elongated forked snake-like tongue of swallowing , the bird could not be rescued; on disturbance, it which they keep flicking out, is represented by the Common Indian regurgitated the dead goose. Typhlopidae is represented by the Monitor and the Water Monitor. The former is occasionally noted small harmless Brahminy Blind Snake, which sometimes flounders along the nature trail; one individual habitually scavenges from the into human habitations. By far the most species-rich among the bone-waste dump. Being a highly accomplished climber and a families is Colubridae, represented by as many as 11 species. It voracious beast, this species is possibly a regular nest predator here includes land-dwelling forms like the Rat Snake and Copper-headed in the campus, as indicated by the frenzied mobbing of birds Trinket, two of the most common species in the campus, in addition whenever it is encountered. The latter species is extremely rare, though to arboreal forms like the Vine Snake and the Eastern Cat Snake; one individual is known to frequent the Sambar Lake; it has often the most spectacular sighting among them all was that of a Golden been reported by the staff swimming along the sides. Tree Snake, basking up a tree in the forest patch near the Botanical The last family among the lizards is that of Agamidae, members Garden. Wetland of which have a laterally or dorsoventrally flattened body, head haunting species with a distinct neck, eyes with eye-lids and round pupils. There are among this group are two species here, the Common Garden Lizard and the Green Fan- the Keelbacks and the throated Lizard. The former, as its name indicates is found regularly Watersnakes, of which in the campus. A remarkable ability to change its colour helps it the Buff-striped merge remarkably well to its surroundings. But during summer, Keelback is among the they get active, especially the males. Then, his bobbing-head display most frequently sighted with the bright red throat showing up like a flower, is a prominent species here. sight. Only unconfirmed sightings of the latter is there, though a Among the venomous snakes, Red-necked Keelback Inside a City Forest 53 there are four species belonging to 2 families found here; all of areas. Recently one was reportedly sighted by the staff clearing the them are extremely rare. While Monocled Cobra and Banded Krait forests for the upcoming bambusetum. form the Elapidae, Russel’s and White-lipped Pit Viper constitutes Thus, the snakes lead elusive lives undetected by most, being Viperidae. The first three have essentially been reported from the silent and shy. Not so, the next group of animals which advertise staff quarter area, some getting killed also, while the White-lipped their presence by loud calls – the amphibians, in the next chapter. Pit Viper is confined to the forest patches, especially the bamboo AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE REPTILES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Scientific Name Habitat Microhabitat & Other Remarks TESTUDINES * Family Trionychidae Peacock Softshell Aspideretes hurum WM Individuals released in the wet moats. Ganges Softshell Aspideretes gangeticus WM Individuals released in the wet moats. Chitra Turtle Chitra indica WM Individuals released in the wet moats. Indian Flap-shell Turtle Lissemys punctata WM Individuals released in the wet moats.

Family Bataguridae Spotted Black Terrapin Geoclemys hamiltonii WM One spotted during cleaning up operations of moat. Roofed Terrapin Kachuga tecta WM Of the few released, one can be regularly seen basking along the edges of the Golden Langur moat. Malayan Box Turtle Cuora ambionensis WM One spotted during cleaning up operations of moat.

Family Testudinidae Elongated Tortoise Indotestudo elongata WM The sole individual lives in the Golden Langur Island.

SQUAMATA SAURIA Family Gekkonidae Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus HH, OF Commonly found inside houses etc. Several caught from tree-trunks all over the campus. Calls heard very often.

54 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE REPTILES OF ASZBG CAMPUS

Name Scientific Name Habitat Microhabitat & Other Remarks Family Gekkonidae Karen’s Gecko Hemidactylus karenorum OF, HH Uncommon. Two caught at Battalion Camp Trail, one on tree trunk, c.2 m high and the other along a roadside cutting. Brook’s Gecko Hemidactylus brookii OF,DF,HH Common. Two caught near B.Garden; one at the teak plantation scrub. Flat-tailed Gecko Cosymbotus platyurus DF,HH Comon. One caught from the side of a drain near Bandar Tila. Two near Spider Cave; other near Rock Field. Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko DF,OF Calls occasionally heard at night. Two caught from an abandoned building near New Reptile House. Assamese Day Gecko Cnemaspis assamensis OF,DF Two individuals sighted near the BG trail and the Rock Field Area. Khasi Hills Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus khasiensis DF Occasional.One caught near the Upper Lake trail. Family Agamidae Indian Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor OF,HH Very comon. One seen being predated by a Shikra. Green Fan-throated Lizard Ptyctolaemus gularis DF One male released inside the campus; two sightings near Battalion Camp. Family Varanidae Common Indian Monitor Varanus bengalensis DF,OF Seen occasionally; one frequents the bone dumping pit . Water Monitor Varanus flavator WL Seen occasionally swiming in the Sambar Lake. Family Scincidae Many-lined Grass Skink Mabuya multifasciata OF,DF Seen among leaf litter inside the forest near Watch Tower and along trails. Little Grass Skink Mabuya macularia OF,DF Seen occasionally, even near the Office complex, especially the Quarantine Area. White-spotted Supple Skink Lygosoma albopunctata OF, HH Recorded mostly around the stream near B.Garden and the DF Bambusetum.

Inside a City Forest 55 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE REPTILES OF ASZBG CAMPUS

Name Scientific Name Habitat Microhabitat & Other Remarks

Riverside Skink Sphenomorphus maculatus DF Noted along the streamside and adjoining forests. SERPENTES Family Typhlopidae Brahminy Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops brahminus HH,OF One dead and partly eaten specimen found on the road. Family Boidae Indian Rock Python Python molurus bivittatus DF,HH,WL Occasional.One seen devouring a Barking Deer. Recently one was caught inside the aviary, swallowing a Bar-headed Geese. Family Colubridae Mock Viper Psammodynastes pulverulentus DF,WL Two caught recently by staff; kept in the reptile house. Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stolata DF,WL Commonly seen along the wetlands and the drains. Painted Bronzeback Snake Dendralaphis pictus WL,HH One captured by garden staff clearing jungle near the New Bambusetum. One seen near the Bone Dump. Eastern Cat Snake Boiga gokool DF One individual released near the Herbarium Hall. Green Vine Snake Ahaeutulla prasina DF Reported by the staff; one kept in reptile house. Golden Tree Snake Chrysopelea ornata DF One sighting along the BG trail. One noted at the entrance of the Botanical Garden by the Botanist. Smooth Water Snake Enhydris enhydris DF Few exist near the Aviary swamp;seen basking at lake. Common Wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus WL,WM Common.One juvenile caught near the Office Complex. Red-necked Keelback Rhabdophis subminiatus DF,HH,OF Occasional; one neonate near stream near B.Garden. Indian Rat Snake Ptyas mucosa DF,HH Several caught from the Staff Colony. Copper-headed Trinket Coelognathus radiatus OF,HH Occasioanlly seen along the roads and Lower Lake. At least three captured, including a young one in the last year. Checkered Keelback Xenochropis piscator HH,OF,WL Seen occasionally near the drains and at Lower Lake.

56 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE REPTILES OF ASZBG CAMPUS

Name Scientific Name Habitat Microhabitat & Other Remarks

Yellow-speckled Keelback Xenochropis flavipunctatum WL 2 caught by staff and kept in the reptile house; Female laid 20 eggs of which 9 hatchlings emerged. HH,WL Family Elapidae Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus HH,DF Presence reported by the staff; one seen by Shri.N.Das, Botanist near Staff Colony. Monocled Cobra Naja kaouthia DF Seen often; few get killed by the staff. Family Viperidae White-lipped Pit Viper Trimeresurus albolabris HH Specimens have been collected from the forest and kept in captivity. Recent sighting of one near new Bambusetum reported by the staff. Russell’s Viper (?) Daboia russeli Single sighting reported by Shri. N.Das, Botanist. Confirmation desirable. * All the Testudines have been introduced into the campus

Habitat Codes DF : Dense Forest HH : Human Habitation, Enclosures, Backyard OF : Open Forest and scrub WL : Wetlands (Lakes, marshes, drains) WM : Wet moats

Inside a City Forest 57 OUT IN THE RAIN… searching for frogs, toads et.al. Common Toad Being dependent on water for the completion of their life-history, vegetation. Tadpoles have been noticed even amphibians spend most of their time in and around water-bodies, in drying up rainwater puddles. swamps and similar moist places. And during winter they almost do Family Megophryidae or Spadefoot a disappearing act, withdrawing themselves into a torpid state of Toads is represented by a sole species, inactivity. Thus, this group of animals normally escape notice, during Leptobrachium smithii, which is extremely rare; most part of the year, unless one actually goes searching for them. characteristic duck-like calls heard during night There are a few exceptions though, to this general norm. For has indicated its presence in the forests near instance, the Common Toad is a species very easily seen. This is the Jamun Swamp in the campus. because of its adaptability to a wide range of habitat types, including Among frogs, Ranidae is the most those modified by man; give them a dark nook to hide during day, diverse group, six species being found in the East Asian Tree Frog some insects to feed on and a puddle of water in which to lay their campus. Most common and easily seen is eggs, and toads are happy. the Cricket Frog, of which three morphs ( some taxonomists treat In the campus too, this sole member of the true Toads (family them as different species) are found here : a) a small-sized form Bufonidae) is a common sight during late evening and night. On having a very thin mid-dorsal whitish line extending from temporal being disturbed, a toad tries to find some hiding place, failing which area to vent b) small-sized form with a thick whitish line along the he demonstrates annoyance by puffing up and standing tall; persistent middorsum from snout to vent c) large-sized uniform grey form irritation often results in the discharge of a milky sticky poisonous with numerous tubercles on dorsum. They can be seen hopping secretion from the parotid glands, around the edges of wetlands, marshes, homesteads and at times especially in the large individuals. even in open meadows and fields, during the night. The first two Being a prolific breeder, one can forms have a cricket-like call, while the third has a harsher croak. see pairs in amplexus, the male Another very common species, The Skittering Frog is also not a always considerably smaller, difficult species to see, and has a typical way of floating placidly, sometimes at places quite away with the fore part of the body held obliquely to the surface. Only from water. The eggs which are the snout-tip and large projected eyes placed high above, shows enclosed in a translucent gelly-like just above the surface. Its habit of skittering over the surface of the string is either found floating free water (a behaviour which interestingly was noted even by Emperor Plain Oriental Stream Frog or wound around aquatic Babar, a naturalist himself, in his memoirs) has given it the name. Its 58 Inside a City Forest frothy egg mass have been seen both at the Aviary Marsh and the isolated the call is a staccato chack- Upper Lake. The call which can be described as tuk tuk tuk chack-chack-chack…., but in chorus, (reminiscent of a soft clicking of castanets, or even that of one’s they sound more like a loud tongue !) is very common, and is possibly the only frog call heard continuous chatter.. Rana alticola, near permanent waterbodies round the year. another interesting ranid was The Bull Frog, the largest among the Indian amphibians was spotted inside the stream flowing common in the earlier days have come down drastically during the through the rocky spider cave. recent times; they are seen hiding along grasses standing at the water’s The only Tree Frog (family edge, at times along with the very similar and confusable Jerdon’s Rhacophoridae) here is the very Bull Frog, which can be identified by it’s shorter limbs and the common, but infrequently seen Skittering Frog crescentic shovel-shaped inner metatarsal tubercle. While the former East Asian Tree Frog. This is the frog which occasionally enters has a deep throated booming single-noted croak, the latter has a houses and is often found sticking on to walls in bathrooms and diagnostic call, very like a softer version of a goat bleat. Both are damp cool rooms. It has a chameleon-like ability to change colours rare in the campus. Another small ranid seen clinging to grass stems rapidly and exist in a wide variety of colours; however, dark in water or sitting on floating aquatic vegetation during night is longitudinal lines on the dorsum and dark bands across the legs are Rana tytleri, which unless observed carefully can be confused with a common and diagnostic feature. The female is larger and appears another very similar species Rana taiphiensis. It has a call can be striped while the male is smaller, more slender and more uniformly described as a short shrill whistle. Rana leptoglossa is a medium-sized coloured. The call is one of the oft-heard night sounds in appropriate species which ventures on to dry land also, during night. Breeding habitats. At ASZBG, it is best spotted at the Palm Grove area. congregations were noticed at the Jamun Swamp; when heard Calling males have been caught from the drooping Vernonia scandens creepers which abound here. And finally, family Microhylidae has just one species , the Ornate Microhylid. It is a tiny frog, very difficult to come across casually, unless one carefully searches for it. It also varies in background colour but always has a diagnostic hour-glass pattern on its back. The best way to see it is to locate a calling male. The call is highly ventriloquistic and surprisingly loud for it’s size. It is best heard and seen near the Sal patch opposite the Pelican Lake.

Indian Cricket Frog (Narrow-lined form) Indian Cricket Frog (Broad-lined form) Inside a City Forest 59 ID.POINTS FOR THE CAMPUS AMPHIBIANS# Species Mean Body Colour Diagnostic feature Habitat Call adult size * Bufo melanostictus 60-100 mm Brown to yellowish Warty tuberculated Wide range of A rattling kroounk brown body; prominent habitats and micro- heard often. parotid glands. No habitats webbing; claws. Leptobrachium smithii 42-68 mm Dark brown to Toad like but without In leaf litter near A loud duck-like chocolate with dark parotid glands, limbs forest streams quacking. markings, upper half are short webbing of the iris scarlet ¼th Microhyla ornata 18-25 mm Dark brown to gray, Tiny size; hourglass In leaf litters of A continous metallic incomplete dark bars figurine on dorsal wooded areas near eenk-eenk-eenk-eenk…, on the lmbs side. wetlands; grasses and very loud for it’s size. bushes. Polypedates leucomystax 40-70 mm Variable from yellow- Tips of toes and Wide range; Moist Single noted high ish to gray and dark fingures dilated into places and bushes/ pitched “traunk”; brown discs. Skin on head climbers/trees. occasionally also ossified. double-noted low- pitched version of the same. Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis 25-35mm Olive or brown olive Slightly warty dorsal All kinds of wet- with numerous dark skin; floating and lands. Many noted soft tuk- olive spots skittering habit. The tuk-tuk-tuk… toes fully webbed. Fejervarya limnocharis 20-40 mm Variable light to dark With or without mid- Edges of wetland, brown with markings dorsal pale line on cultivation. Very shrill whistle- sometime with red or like note for narrow 60 Inside a City Forest # prepared with inputs from Dr. Saibal Sengupta and Abhijit Das ID.POINTS FOR THE CAMPUS AMPHIBIANS Species Mean Body Colour Diagnostic feature Habitat Call adult size * green tinge. back ; brief webbing striped form, similar between toes. call as cyanophlyctis for broad striped form and harsh croak for unstriped tuberculated form. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus 80-120 mm Dorsally yellowish to Webbed toes; heels Large open wetlands, Deep throated load olive brown, with a overlap when legs are paddy fields. single or double- light mid dorsal line folded at right angles noted “Croak”. to body. Elongated inner metatarsal tubercle Hoplobatrachus crassus 80-110 mm Green to olive with Very similar to above, Large wetlands, Single-noted like a irregular dark but legs shorter; heels paddy fields. lamb’s bleat “mhaaa” blotches do not overlap; good . burrower. With a sharp shovel shaped inner metatarsal tubercle. Long dorsal skin pleats Rana alticola 40-60mm Light brown to dark Medium size, toes Forest floor near Many-noted soft brown, adult female dilated to horse shoe bouldery streams bird-like whistling, in breeding season shaped disc; narrow low in volume for it’s golden yellow dorsolateral folds size. from eye to groin Inside a City Forest 61 ID.POINTS FOR THE CAMPUS AMPHIBIANS Species Mean Body Colour Diagnostic feature Habitat Call adult size * Rana taiphiensis 20-30mm Green with two Elongated head, long Urban wetlands, Very shrill whistle yellowish dorsolateral limbs, toe web ¾th Grasses near water, like single-note. folds. Dark brown or hydrophytes black pigmenation on either sides of the dorsolateral line Rana leptoglossa 40-60mm Browntodarkbrown Medium size frog Forest floor near Loud staccato chak-a- with black spots with broad yellow to water chack-a- chack. golden color dorsolateral folds. Dorsum granulated * snout to vent length in mm. #Prepared with inputs from Dr. Saibal Sengupta & Abhijit Das.s

62 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE AMPHIBIANS OF ASZBG CAMPUS

Name Scientific Name Act. Habitat Freq. Microhabitat & Pattern Other Remarks Family Megophryidae Red-eyed Short-legged Leptobrachium smithii N DF R Calls heard inside dense forest near a swamp. Heard Frog calling fom the same patch in July up to August. One seen hopping in leaf litter in undergrowth. Family Bufonidae Common Indian Toad Bufo melanostictus G DR,HH C Very commonly sighted throughout the area. Calls OF,EN also heard. Family Microhylidae Ornate Microhylid Microhyla ornata N DF,OF,EN U Calls heard during rains in June and July. Two seen on grass growing in the Sal patch near Barking Deer enclosure. Family Rhacophoridae HH,OF,EN East Asian Tree Frog Polypedates leucomystax N C Calls heard very regularly. One male caught from a drooping climber c.2.5 metres from the ground, at the Palm Grove. Family Raniidae WM,WB Skittering Frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis D,G C Often seen in the Aviary Marsh as also the Sambar EN,DR Lake. Indian Cricket Frog * Fejervarya limnocharis C,N C Seen along the edges of BG Swamp, Sambar Lake, Lower Lake. Few caught at dusk along the BG trail. WB Two morphs noticed. Indian Bull Frog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus N U Calls heard from Sambar lake and Lower Lake WB area.One dead individual seen along the ring road. Jerdon’s Bull Frog Hoplobatrachus crassus N MS R Calls heard near the Lower Lake. Tytler’s Frog Rana tytleri N U Difficult to sight unless searched for.

* a species-complex; now split into 3 species - F.taraiensis, F.pieri & F.nipalensis Inside a City Forest 63 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST OF THE AMPHIBIANS OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Scientific Name Act. Habitat Freq. Microhabitat & Pattern Other Remarks clinging to grass blades near and in water at Eugenia Swamp. Long-tongued Frog Rana leptoglossa C,N DF,MS, C Characteristic calls heard often from different wetlands. Breeding chorus heard and seen at Eugenia Swamp in May. Plain Oriental Stream Rana alticola N DF R Sighted near the stream inside the Spider Cave and Frog the B.Garden.

Activity Pattern Code FREQUENCY CODES Habitat Codes D : Diurnal C (Common) : 9-10 times out of 10 visits WM : Wet moat of large enclosures N : Nocturnal F (Fairly common) : 6-8 times out of 10 visits WB : Lakes and Ponds C : Crepuscular U (Uncommon) : 3-5 times out of 10 visits GL : Golden Langur Island G : Can be active throughout, R (Rare) : 0-2 times out of 10 visits MS : Marshes and Swamps depending on weather DR : Drains HH : Habitation, Households OF : Open Forest DF : Dense Forest EN: Large Enclosures with natural vegetation

64 Inside a City Forest BUGS, BEETLES & BUTTERFLIES… a glimpse of the arthropod diversity Swarming caterpillars of Moth Among the invertebrate phyla, the Class Arthropoda is the most Amblypygi), True Scorpions (Order Scorpionida), Harvestmen successful and diverse. Characterized by the presence of an (Order Opiliones), Ticks and Mites (Order Acarina) etc. also belong exoskeleton and jointed legs, they include insects (a huge variety of to that group. forms like bugs, beetles, butterlies, dragonflies, honeybees, wasps etc.), crustaceans (crabs, lobsters etc.), myriapods (centipedes and The Whip Scorpion millipedes) and arachnids (spiders, scorpions etc.) among many These arachnids have a slender others. They are an extremely fascinating group no doubt, but then, whip-like tail, from which they it is not an easy task for the amateur naturalist who sets out to study derive their name. Nocturnal creatures, they feed on other them. Except for butterflies, no readily available and comprehensive arthropods, feeling their way field guide exists for any other group. Thus, field identification to around with the first pair of legs the level of the species becomes extremely difficult if not impossible and walking about with the rest. for the novice naturalist unless he takes the help of a professional They cannot sting but can pinch entomologist. The present study was also plagued by the same with their pincers; they can also problem. Hence in this chapter, only butterflies are covered in depth spray a vinegar-scented discharge from the base of the tail when with an annotated check-list, with all the species taxonomically disturbed, containing acetic acid identified. For all other groups, clearly distinguishable, and which can affect the cuticle of morphologically distinct specimens were treated as belonging to other insects. This bahaviour gives different species . The stress here is on giving a broad overview of them their other name, the insect Orders and the Families therein, with species diversity Vinegaroons. The female shows under each, so as to make the interested youngster aware about the parental care and carries her young eggs(20-30) under her abdomen; amazing invertebrate diversity of ASZBG, and its huge and after hatching, the young which untapped potential for future studies. Nevertheless, wherever emerge ride on her back until their possible, striking specimens have been photographed and identified first moult. taxonomically, names of which are given in the main text and the plates. Though the campus has members belonging to all these orders, We shall start with Arachnids. They consist mainly of Spiders it is spiders that one mainly notices. About 40 species belonging (Order Araneae), though others like Whip Scorpions (Order to 10 families have been recorded here. The most easily seen among Inside a City Forest 65 them are the diurnal orb-weaving spiders belonging to family revealed the presence of at least one species; the steep cuttings that Araeneidae - the BG Trail and Watch Tower trails are good places one sees on the right along the Watch Tower road is a good place to see the Giant Wood, Long-horned Orb, and and several species to search for their characteristic web-lined burrows. of Signature Spiders, all bright and colourful species. The leaf litter Myriapoda, the Centipedes and Millipedes are represented by is the place to spot Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae) scuttling across, often thre species, one of the former and two of the latter. The common females carrying young ones on top of the abdomen. Then there centipede can often be seen in the dusk and night, scuttling along are the bark-dwelling ones, cryptic and difficult to spot - the Two- the edges of walls near human habitations. Among the millipedes, tails (Hersilidae) are common among them; the females show apart from a uniform reddish brown species, a black form with parental care by standing guard over the egg-case. The shrubby golden yellow edges to the scutes is also found. layer and flowerheads are the favourite haunts of the Lynxes Class Insecta is by far the most species-rich and fascinating of (Oxyopidae) and Tommies (Thomisidae) respectively - the all arthropods and comprises of several Orders. Cockroaches (Order former are active hunters stalking about for insects among the leaves Blattaria) are familiar to all of us, mostly eliciting shrieks of revulsion and the stems while the latter are ambush hunters, choosing to sit as they go about their nightly rounds. Here at ASZBG, the Common and wait on flowers, relying on their camouflage for capturing Cockroach is easily seen, haunting refuse dumps and litter bins at prey. Near wetlands one comes across the Big - Jaws The migratory Locust is a biological concept, (Tetragnathidae) and the Water Spider. Now we come to those not a taxonomic one. Any grasshopper which spiders which are found in and around our houses. Among them, joins in group migrations is called a migratory the most commonly seen group are locust. Whenever the population in an area the Jumping Spiders (Salticidae), the exceeds the carrying capacity, migrating forms Box Longlegs (Pholcidae) and the with ravenous appetites make their appearance. Crab Spiders (Heteropodidae). They move in huge swarms and cause con- The last mentioned group finds their siderable damage to vegetation en route . favourite prey in the cockroach ! In the campus, a large population of night; there is also a pretty diurnal species found in the bushes and about 200 Heteropodid spiders live litter, but it is elusive and rare. inside the Spider Cave inside the Mantids (Order Mantodea) are represented by two distinct Bot.Garden. Last, but most kinds – the bark mantids, small mottled brown species found on interesting are the Hairy tree barks and the leaf mantids, medium-sized grass green ones Mygalomorphs (Theraphosidae). found on the bushes. Their typical egg-cases are often seen festooning Yellow jacket Hornets at nest A preliminary study in the campus dried climbers. A related group, the Stick and Leaf Insects (Order 66 Inside a City Forest Phasmida) also share the habitat, of which there are 3 species in the campus. Next comes the diverse Order Orthoptera, mainly consisting of Grasshoppers (Family Acrididae). There are several species to be found here; along with its relatives the Crickets & Mole Crickets (Fam. Gryllidae), Long-horned Grasshoppers & Katydids (Fam. Tettigonidae), it is an interesting group, especially the much-feared Locusts, and has about 12 species in the campus . Some have Scutellarid Jewel Bug Lantern Fly Long-horned Beetle developed cryptic colouration to such an extent that it is difficult Chrysocoris sp. Pyrops sp. Cerambycidae spotting them in the field. Cerambycidae), Metallic wood-borers (Fam.Buprestidae) and Equally riveting is the Order Homoptera, having Cicadas & Ladybird Beetles (Fam. Coccinellidae). Many of us perhaps are Leaf Hoppers (Fam. Cicindelidae), Plant Hoppers (Fam.Flatidae), not aware of the fact that Fireflies are also beetles. (Fam. Tree Hoppers (Fam. Membranidae), Lantern flies and Fulgorid Lampyridae). The total number of species noted comes to 36. Plant Hoppers (Fam. Fulgoridae) and Spittle Bugs (Fam. Of the Order Diptera, five families are well-represented in the Cercopidae). 14 species have been noticed including the striking campus – House Flies (Fam.Muscidae), Flower Flies (Fam. Lantern fly. Syrphidae), Crane Flies (Fam. Tupulidae) and Robber Flies (Fam. The Bugs (Order Hemiptera or Heteroptera) is also Asilidae) and Fleshflies (Fam.Calliphoridae). Mosquitoes and represented by several families of which the most prominent are Gnats also belong to this order. 12 species were seen. the Stink Bugs (Fam. Pentatomidae), Plant Bugs (Fam.Miridae), Another extremely interesting group is that of Order Flower bugs (Anthocoridae), Red Bugs (Pyrrhocoridae), Ambush Hymenoptera, having Wasps and Hornets (Fam.Vespidae), Ants Bugs (Phymatidae) Chinch Bugs (Lygaenidae) and Assassin Bugs (Fam. Formicidae) and Bees (Fam. Apidae) as it’s members, with (Reduviidae) and Bed bugs (Fam. Cimidae). Being a very diverse a total of 16 species observed.The large globular nests of the order, about 23 species have been found in the campus. Crematogaster tree-ants is a familiar sight here. Perhaps the most diverse among all insects is the heterogenous Along with them, Dragonflies (Sub-order Anisoptera) and group of Beetles (Order Coleoptera). Of the 19 families observed Damselflies (Sub-order Zygoptera) of Order Odonata, constitute in the campus, the major ones are the Ground Beetles a conspicuous group of insects; the prominent families among the (Fam.Carabidae), Dung and Rhinoceros Beetles (Fam. former are the Clubtails (Fam. Gomphidae), Skimmers (Fam. Scarabidae), Stag Beetles (Fam. Lucanidae), Leaf Beetles (Fam. Libellulidae), and Darners (Fam.Aeschnidae) while the major Chrysomelidae), Tiger Beetles (Fam. Cincinellidae), Weevils families in the latter are the Marsh Darts (Fam. Coenagrionidae), (Fam. Curculionidae), Long-horned Beetles (Fam. Bush Darts (Fam. Platycenemididae) and Bambootails (Fam. Inside a City Forest 67 belonging to Coleoptera may also be found swimming alongside – the most visible are the Whirligigs (Fam. Gyrinidae) and Diving beetles (Fam. Dysticidae). Nymphs and larval forms of several other groups like the Dragonflies also share this aquatic habitat. Finally, we come to the most colourful, conspicuous and perhaps the best-loved of all insects, the Lepidopterans (butterflies & moths). Let us first have a quick glance at moths, those familiar creatures of the night. Incredibly diverse and species-rich, these insects are familiar to anyone who ventures out after dark. Most of Day-flying Geometrid Moth Sphingid Moth Dysphanis sp. Theretra sp. the time they are seen gathered around electric bulbs and other Protoneuridae). 10 species of odonates were photographed within sources of light. At the campus, their diversity is specially noticeable the campus. during post-monsoon season. About 76 distinct kinds (possibly The less-known group of Antlions (Fam. Myrmoleontidae) species; as with many other groups, there is no readily available and Owlflies (Fam. Ascalaphidae) constitute the Order field guide for our moths.) belonging to nine families have been Neuroptera; three species were photographed. Also to be recorded. mentioned are the Termites (Ord. Isoptera) and the Mayflies (Ord. Among them the Noctuid and Geometrid moths form the Ephemeroptera). In addition, there is a host of inconspicuous maximum number; the former is a highly diverse group with tiny insects like the Earwigs (Ord. Dermaptera), Book lice & Dust nondescript ones to the strikingly patterned Owlet moths; some Lice (Ord. Pscoptera), Chewing Lice (Ord. Mallophaga), Sucking of them are also seen resting during day-time on bushes and barks Lice (Ord. Anoplura), and Thrips (Ord. Thysanoptera), which of trees. The latter, mostly fly by dusk and night, but there are are found here. Apart from the first two, of which there were at some brightly coloured ones which are day-flying. They stay alert least a species each, other groups were not adequately observed to while at rest, and fly off at once if disturbed. The caterpillars show arrive at a species number; nevertheless, their presence in the campus a typical arching manner of progression, as if they are measuring is confirmed. of the distance, earning themelves the name of measuring worms. These are insects which are found on the land and in the air; Saturnid moths, large and showy are also to be found here, apart from them, there also exists certain insects which make their represented by several silkworm moths and a kind of Atlas moth. home in water. Among them are about 6 species of Waterbugs Sphingidae, another remarkable family is constituted by the Sphinx (Ord. Heteroptera) consisting of Waterstriders (Fam.Gerridae), or Hawk moths. Mostly out during twilight time, they zoom their Backswimmers (Fam. Notonectidae), Waterboatmen (Fam. way in search of flowers; the Hummingbird Hawk moth sometimes Corixidae) and Water Scorpions (Fam. Nepidae). Water beetles is also seen during early mornings, sucking nectar with it’s 68 Inside a City Forest enormously elongated proboscis. Once, I also saw it dipping itself FAMILY-WISE DISTRIBUTION OF into a stream several times in flight, possibly for water. Uraniidae BUTTERFLIES IN ASZBG is also a prominent family in the campus. Other families like Hesperiidae Lymantridae, Lasiocampidae, Aegeriidae, Notodontidae, Papilionidae Syntomidae, Arctiidae and Zygaenidae are also to be seen here, Pieridae apart fom the insconspicuous and taxonomically diverse group of Lycaenidae Microlepidopterans consisting of several families. Nymphalidae Regarding butterflies, the group is remarkably rich here in the campus; 163 species belonging to 5 families have been recorded in mimics the Common Rose. Other members of this group like the last one year alone. The floral diversity, rich in a wide variety of Peacocks, Great Mormons, Ravens and Birdwings prefer more larval food-plants must perhaps be the prime factor responsible forested areas, are strong fliers, and can be seen visiting flowers; for this high number; the availability of a wide range of microhabitats Lantana and Ixora bushes near the Botanical Garden and and adult resources must also be an important determinant. Thus Tabernaemontana plants on the Watch Tower Road are good places the campus offers a tailor-made study site for behaviour, autecology to see them during the flowering time. Bluebottles and Jays which and community ecology studies of butterflies. often fly fast near the canopy, often come down to moist patches Among the butterflies here, the largest and most visible are and streambanks for mudpuddling. perhaps the Swallowtails (Papilionidae) which include several The Whites and Yellows (Pieridae), are generally medium sized, diverse forms. The Common Mormon is the commonest of them conspicuous and fast-flying butterflies. Emigrants, which emerge in all and can be found in all types of habitats; interestingly the female large numbers following rains are the most common. Others include exist in two forms - one which is like the male and the other which the Gulls, Puffins, Albatrosses, Grass Yellows, Orange Tips, Cabbage

Restricted Demon Redspot Jezebel Common Bushbrowns Common Emigrant Fluffly Tit Inside a City Forest 69 Whites, Wanderers and Jezebels. An exception among these is the cause problems in field identification, unless collected. weak-flying Psyche, which flutters along close to the ground. Thus apart from Arthropods, (of which about 420 species Family Lycaenidae or Blues have small to medium-sized occur) there also exist several other phyla here in the campus. butterflies as its members, and include a wide variety of species. Obviously, the lower and minute forms like Protozoans, Many of them like Oakblues, Flashes, Silverlines, Lineblues and Coelenterates and Aschelminths, require specialized equipment for Caeruleans have very similar forms within the genus and are are study and thus falls outside the purview of the amateur naturalist. difficult to identify unless collected. Others like most Tits and But others like Annelidans in the form of earthworms, Imperials are conspicuous and can be more readily identified in the Platyhelminths in the form of planarian slugs and Molluscans in field. the shape of our familiar snails, can be observed and studied. But Nymphalids constitute the most species rich among the butterfly unfortunately, these forms languish unnoticed and thus very little is families and include a number of sub-families with members known or written about them. But this does not mean that as topics exhibiting the maximum diversity of colours, forms and habitats for study they are less interesting – just to take a small example, the chosen. These include the shade-loving Amathusines, represented African Snail Achatina fulica, an introduced species which has by the Duffers and the Jungle Queens, to undergrowth-haunting proliferated in the campus in an enormous fashion. Post-winter, Satyrines like Evening Browns, Bush Browns, Tree Browns and particularly during the rainy months, it is possibly the most the Rings. Then again there is the swift-flying canopy-dwelling conspicuous large invertebrate here. Its impact on the local species Charaxines like the Rajahs and the Nawabs and more easily is perhaps, a nice theme worthy of study. Such are the topics that noticeable sun-loving Nymphalines like the Castors, Pansies, Sailers should entice the young naturalist to set out into the field, for and Barons. The distasteful milkweed or Danaine butterlies observing Nature in the great outdoors. constitute the last sub-family, with several species of Tigers and Crows as it’s members. Finally, comes the family of Hesperiidae - drab, moth- like butterflies which nevertheless can be told apart by their hooked-tipped antennae. They include the Awls and Awlets, Angles, Flats, Hoppers, Swifts and Darts and Red-Eyes. This Flatid hopper nymphs is another group which can Pied Paddy Skimmer Neurothemis tullia Cicada Forest Cockroach 70 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks FAMILY HESPERIIDAE Sub-family Coeliadinae Common Awl Hasora badra UC Often sighted near B.Garden and W.Tower Road. Derris sp. Brown Awl Badamia exclamationis FC Seen regularly all over. Combretum extensum, Terminalia belerica (Combretaceae) Common Banded Awl Hasora alexis UC Sighted near W. Tower Road. Sub-family Pyrginae Small Common Flat Sarangesa dasahara UC Regular sightings near BGarden and Upper Lake. Common Spotted Flat Celaenorrhinus leucocerca UC Seen regularly along Battalion Camp Trail. Eranthemum sp. (Acanthaceae). Fulvous Pied Flat Coladenia dan R Two sightings near Lower Lake. Water Snow Flat Tagaides litigiosa FC Seen flying along paths; four seen together once on flowering Dusky Yellowbreast Flat Daimio phisara UC Spatholobus. Dioscorea sp. (Dioscoreaceae) and Smilax Black Angle I Seen occasionally on flowering shrubs. One photographed in flowering Mikania. Golden Angle Caprona ransonnetti UC One photographed near Spider Cave.Few sightings near U.Lake.

Sub-family Hesperiinae Indian Skipper Spialia galba UC Waltheria indica Chestnut Bob Iambrix salsala FC Seen almost everywhere in small numbers. Chocolate Demon Ancistroides nigrita I One photographed near Lower Lake. Grass Demon Udaspes folus UC Curcuma sp., Zingiber sp. (Zingiberaceae) Spotted Demon Notocrypta fiesthameli R One photographed drinking from Argeria sp. Restricted Demon N.curvifasciata UC Occasionally seen near Baza Trail & at Bot.Garden. Indian Dart Potanthus pseudomaesa UC Few noticed after rainy season

Inside a City Forest 71 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks Common Redeye Matapa aria UC Bamboos (Graminae) Giant Redeye Gangara thyrsis R Palms (Palmaceae) Wax Dart Cupitha purreea UC Seen occasionally near the BG Trail. Tree Flitter Hyarotis adrastus R Phoenix aculis (Palmaceae) Tiger Hopper Ochus subvittatus I One photographed near U. Lake. FAMILY PAPILIONIDAE Sub-family Papilioninae Common Bluebottle Graphium sarpedon R Occasionally mudpuddling near Lower Lake. Polyalthia longifolia, Miliusa sp., Michelia doltsopa Glassy Bluebottle Graphium cloanthus # I Once near the Battalion Camp. Tailed Jay G.agammemnon UC Seen often near the Botanical Garden (BG). Polyalthia longifolia, Michelia doltsopa, Annona squamosa Common Jay G.doson UC Polyalthia sp., Michelia sp., Trachelospermum asiaticum Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae I Reported from an earlier study; caterpillars found.Aristolochia sp. (Aristolochiaceae) Crimson Rose P.hector ? Reported from an earlier study; confirmation desirable. Common Birdwing Troides helena R Three sightings; two near BG; one dead near entrance . Aristolochia sp. (Aristolochiaceae) Golden Birdwing Troides aecus UC Seen flying high near Watch Tower area; Courting pairs seen in May near Hathi Tilla. Aristolochia sp. (Aristolochiaceae) Great Mormon Princeps memnon UC Citrus sp. (Rutaceae) Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus C Found laying eggs on Citrus plants near the Colony; Citrus sp. (Rutaceae) Common Mime Chilasa clytia UC Few sightings; one pupa found on Semecarpus seedling. Common Mormon P.polytes C Larvae found on Murraya koenigii; Citrus sp. , Murraya sp., Zanthoxylum sp. (Rutaceae)

72 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks Red Helen P.helenus UC Regularly seen taking nectar from Clerodendron and Tabernaemontana flowers. Citrus sp. , Zanthoxylum sp. (Rutaceae) Yellow Helen Princeps nephelus R Three sightings near Upper Lake Common Raven P.castor R One near the Bambusetum Glycosmis pentaphylla Paris Peacock Princeps paris R Four sightings in the forest area; Citrus sp. , Zanthoxylum sp. (Rutaceae). FAMILY PIERIDAE Sub-family Pierinae Psyche Leptosia nina FC Seen flying low near Harbarium Hall. Capparis sp., Crataeva sp. (Capparidceae). Indian Cabbage White Pieris canidia FC Frequents the Colony and Office Complex areas. Cruciferaeceae. Large Cabbage White P.brassicae UC Cruciferaeceae. Common Gull Cepora nerissa UC Seen occasionally near the BG Trail. Lesser Gull Cepora nadina FC Seen occasionally near the BG Trail. Common Wanderer Pareronia valeria UC Capparis sp., (Capparidceae). Yellow Orangetip Ixias pyrene UC Capparis sepiaria. Great Orangetip Hebomoia glaucippe R Capparidaceae. Chocolate Albatross Appias lyncida R Capparis sp., Crataeva sp. (Capparidceae). Plain Puffin Appias indra UC Occasionally seen near the BG; also near habitation. Spot Puffin Appias lalage R Few sightings on flowering Eupatorium near hathi Tilla. Yellow Jezebel Delias agastina UC Seen regularly along the watch-tower road. Redbase Jezebel D. aglaia UC Seen regularly; one found dead near the teak plantation. Loranthus sp. Two sightings near Office Complex. Loranthus sp., Viscum sp. Common Jezebel D.eucharis R Sub-family Coliadinae Egg-laying seen in Cassia fistula and C. occidentalis. Cassia sp., Butea Common Emigrant Catopsila pomona C sp., Bauhinia sp. (Leguminosae).

Inside a City Forest 73 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks Mottled Emigrant C.pyranthe FC Egg-laying and larvae seen in Cassias. Cassia sp., Butea sp., Bauhinia sp. (Leguminosae). Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe C Cassia sp., Acacia sp., Caesalpinia sp., Albizzia sp.(Leguminosae). Small Grass Yellow Eurema brigitta R Two sightings near W.Tower Road. One-spot Grass Yellow Eurema andersonii # ? Recorded in an earlier study. Three-spot Grass Yellow Eurema blenda UC Seen occasionally near BGarden. Chocolate Grass Yellow Eurema sari # ? Recorded in an earlier study. FAMILY LYCAENIDAE Sub-family Miletinae Forest Pierrot Taraka hamada R Two sightings near Upper Lake. Sub-family Curetinae Angled Sunbeam Curetis dentate R One sighting at BG. Derris sp., Xylia sp., Abrus sp.(Leguminosae). Sub-family Theclinae Common Acacia Blue Surendra quercetorum FC Often seen perched on climbes and bushes. Acacia sp. Common Silverline Spindasis vulcanus R Three sightings, all along the B.Camp Trail. Common Tinsel Catapaeclima elegans R Two sightings; one photographed near Upper Lake Common Leaf Blue Amblypodia anita UC Few seen along forest paths. Large Oakblue Arhopala amantes R Two along WT Road. Yamfly Loxura atymnus FC Found all over along forest paths. Dioscorea sp. Common Guava Blue Viracola isochrates R One seen frequenting Pomegranate bush near H.Hall. Punica, Psidium, Randia. Common Red Flash Rapala jarbas FC Few sightings along trails. Rubus sp. Fluffy Tit Zeltus amasa UC Four sightings, all near W.Tower. Orchidaceae ? Common Imperial Cheritra freja R One male photographed near UpperLake. Common Tit Hypolycaena erylus UC Occasinally seen near Watch Tower Trail.

74 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks Sub-family Polyommatinae Common Caerulean Jamides celeno C Found all over. Derris, Xylia, Abrus and other Legumes. Metallic Caerulan J.alecto R Three sightings, mainly from BG trail. Glistening Caerulean J.elpis R One near Teak Plantation. Dark Caerulean J.bochus UC Seen along forest paths, especially near WT road. Zebra Blue Syntarucus plinius UC Plumbago, Indigofera,Albizia, Sesbania. Common Pierrot Castalius rosemon C Frequently sighted all over. Zizyphus sp. Banded Blue Pierrot C.ethion UC Found near the BG stream. Assam Pierrot Tarucus venosus R One individual seen near BG. Striped Pierrot T.nara UC Seen among low bushes by the meadow near the Lower Lake. Angled Pierrot Caleta caleta R One photographed near BGarden. Grass Jewel Zizeeria trochilus FC Best seen near the HHall lawn and backyard. Pale Grass Blue Pseudozizeeria maha FC Seen regularly. Oxalis, Legumes, Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae). Common Hedge Blue Acetolepis puspa R One sighting of one mudpuddling near Hathi Tilla. Gram Blue Euchrysops cnejus FC Often seen all over.Phasiolus, Dolichos and other Legumes. Lime Blue Chilades laius R Two sighings near Colony. Citrus sp. Malayan Megisma malaya UC Often at BG. One was seen on a Glycosmis clump for five con- secutive days. Allophyllus cobe (Sapindaceae). Quaker Neopithecops zalmora UC Seen near Hathi Tilla near the Glycosmis plants ; also at the stream near Spider Cave. Sub-family Riodininae Punchinello Zemeros flegyas UC Seen along the Upper Lake area regularly. Maesa sp. Plum Judy Abisara echerius UC Occasioanlly seen low on bushes at the edge of jungle paths. Embelia sp., Ardisia sp. (Myrsinaceae)

Inside a City Forest 75 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks FAMILY NYMPHALIDAE Sub-family Amathusinae Northern Jungle Queen Sticopthalma camadeva R One sighting at bamboo grove en route B.Camp. Great Duffer Discophora timora FC Regular along Bamboo undergrowth. Sub-family Satyrinae Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda C Crepusculer. Often ventures into houses at dusk. Oryza, Panicus, Apluda, Eleusine and other Grasses. Dark Evening Brown Melanitis phedima UC Often seen on the leaf litter under the bamboo groves near Hathi Tilla. Common Palmfly Elymnias hypermnestra FC Very often seen on ornamental palms near O.Complex. Bamboos and Palms. Blue-striped Palmfly E.patna R Two sightings at Palm Grove. Bamboo Treebrown Lethe europa FC This and the following species are seen along the bamboo forests, especially Hathi Tilla area. Bamboos. Banded Treebrown Neope confusa UC At bamboo undergrowth. Microstegium, Capillipedium sp. and other grasses Common Treebrown Lethe rhoria UC Near Hathi Tilla. Microstegium, Capillipedium sp. and other grasses Common Bushbrown Mycalesis perseus C Very common. Oryza, and other Grasses. Darkbrand Bushbrown M.mineus UC Microstegium, Capillipedium sp. and other grasses. Nigger Orsotrioena medus UC Along the shady walks inside the forest. Oryza, Imperata sp. Angled Red Forester Lethe chandica R Found along bamboo undergrowth in shady places. Common Fivering Ypthima baldus C Noticed on the walkway towards B.Camp. Grasses. Common Fourring Y.hubenri C Very often seen inside BG. Grasses. Sub-family Charaxinae Variegated Rajah Charaxes kaharuba R Two sightings. One photographed near W.Tower.

76 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks Tawny Rajah C.polyxena UC Often seen, basking high or flying srongly around.Tamarindus (Leguminosae), Saccopetalum tomentosum (Annonaceae), Aglaia roxburgiana (Meliaceae). Black Rajah C.solon R Two sightings near the G.Langur enclosure on Tamarind tree. Tamarindus (Leguminosae). Common Nawab Polyura athamas UC Few sightings; one mudpuddling near stream at BG. Acacia, Delonix, Albizia, Caesalpinia, Adenanthera (Leguminosae) Grewia (Tiliaceae). Pallid Nawab Polyura arja R One sighting at Bot.Garden in Sept. Sub-family Apaturinae Popinjay Stibochiona nicea R One sighting near stream at BG. Sordid Emperor Apatura sordida # ? Recorded in an earlier study. Confirmation desirable. Black Prince Rohana parisatis R Recorded twice at Bot.Garden after monsoons. Sub-family Nymphalinae Tabby Pseudergolis wedah # ? Reported from an earlier study; confirmation desirable. Angled Castor Ariadne aradne FC Often seen near the Colony. Ricinus communis Common castor A.merione UC Seen near the Colony, sometimes along the forest trails also. Ricinus communis, Tragia. Common Leopard Phalantha phalantha FC Noticed often along the forest roads. Flacourtia, Smilax. Small Leopard Phalantha alcippe UC Two sightings of basking individuals inside BG. Rinorea bengalensis. Vagrant Issoria sinha R One sighting near B.Camp. Large Yeoman Cirrochroa aoris R Seen in flight near BGarden; one photographed basking near Lower Lake. Yellow Pansy Precis hierta UC Few sightings all over. Barleria, Hygrophila. Blue Pansy P.orithya UC Few sightings all over. Justicia, Lepidagathis.

Inside a City Forest 77 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks Lemon Pansy P.lemonias C Found all over; many seen on flowering Lantana. Peacock Pansy P.almana FC Few sighted near H.Hall. Barleria, Hygrophila and Osbeckia (Melastomiacecae). Grey Pansy P.atlites C Especially common near the Eugenia Marsh. Barleria, Hygrophila and Osbeckia (Melastomiacecae). Chocolate Soldier P.iphita C Found all over. Justicia, Hygrophila Indian Red Admiral Vanessa indica I One near Lower Lake on Leea bushes. Nettles. Painted Lady Cynthia cardui I Two seen together at WT Road. Blumea, Debregesia and many others belonging to Malvaceae, Urticaceae and Boraginaceae Blue Admiral Kaniska canace I Few sightings near Rhino Meadow basking on ground. Smilax and Dioscoraea Common Jester Symbrenthia lilaea I One seen near Teak Plantation. Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnas misippus R Two near the B.Camp, one drinking from Lantana. Portulaca oleracea Great Eggfly H.bolina FC Seen all over. Sida, Portulaca,Elatostemma. Orange Oakleaf Kallima inachus R Few observed between bushes along forest path near Hathi Tilla. Strobilanthes sp. Common Map Cyrestis thyodamas R Seen at times high on trees, and sometimes on wet groud mudpuddling. Ficus sp. Common Maplet Chersonesia risa R Two sightings; one near BGarden and at Watch Tower Road. Common Sailor Neptis hylas C Frequent all over. Bombax, Helicteres, Grewia, Flemingia, Mucuna. Sullied Sailor Neptis soma UC Found sometimes along with the former species. Broad Banded Sailor N.sankara R One collected near Bambusetum. Common Lascar Pantoporia hordonia UC Found basking along the WT road. Acacia, Albizia. Colour Sergeant Parathyma nefte UC Seen regularly; One noted frequenting the bone dump, sitting on meat waste. Glochidion 78 Inside a City Forest AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks Orange Staff Sergeant P.cama R One sighting of an individual basking c.4mupontangled creeper leaves, and chasing other butterflies along W.Tower road . Common Sergeant P.perius UC Regularly seen; One found dead near B.Garden. Glochidion sp.. Blackvein Sergeant P.ranga R One photographed near Upper Lake. Often basks on sunspots. Common Baron Euthalia aconthea FC Seen often; individuals show remarkable site fidelity. Mangifera, Anacardium. Grey Count Tanaecia lepidea FC Regularly seen; Maintains territories. Melastoma malabathricum, Careya arborea. Common Earl Tanaecia julii FC Seen basking and on rotting fruit near B.Garden. Plain Earl T.jahnu R Sighted near B.Garden. Commander Moduza procris R One seen basking on bushes near the WT road. Mussaenda, Wendlandia. Knight Lebadea martha FC Often sighted near B.Camp Trail. Once, noted sucking juices from dead Heteropoda spider. Sub-family Heliconiinae Red Lacewing Cethosia bibles R Two sightings; one male flying high near BG and a female sitting with wings closed on bushes. Leopard Lacewing C.cyane UC Often seen near the BG Trail. Passiflora sp. Sub-family Danainae Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea FC Slow flier at medium heights along forest paths; Tylophora, Cryptolepis, Calotropis. Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala septentrionis R Twice on flowering Lantana. Vallaris, Dregea. Common Tiger Danaus genutia FC Common near Battalion Camp. A group of 12-15 seen in bushes of Heliotropium. Tylophora, Marsdenia,Asclepias. One Seen near H.Hall laying eggs on Asclepias curassavica. Calotropis, Cryptolepis, Asclepias.

Inside a City Forest 79 AN ANNOTATED CHECK-LIST FOR THE BUTTERFLIES OF ASZBG CAMPUS Name Abundance Microhabitat, Larval Food Plants (recorded in literature) & Other Remarks Plain Tiger D.chrysippus FC One Seen near H.Hall laying eggs on Asclepias curassavica. Calotropis, Cryptolepis, Asclepias. Blue Tiger Thirumala limnaceae R Two sightings near B.Garden

Common Crow Euploea core C Often found flying lazily with distended “hair pencils”; frequents Nerium for laying. Ficus, Sreblus, Nerium, Ichnocarpus. Most favoured here is Hollarrhena. Blue King Crow E.klugii R Two seen at the watch tower road; may perhaps be more common, but possible confusion with E.core may lead to underestima- tion. Ficus species. Striped Blue Crow E.mulciber UC Few sightings, all females, at the watch tower road .Ficus, Nerium, Ichnocarpus. Double-branded Crow E.sylvester R Two sightings near Sambar Lake. Ficus, Ichnocarpus.

FREQUENCY CODES (Probability of sighting in the suitable habitat at the right time of the year) *

C (Common) : 9-10 times out of 10 visits FC (Fairly common) : 6-8 times out of 10 visits UC (Uncommon) : 3-5 times out of 10 visits R (Rare) : 0-2 times out of 10 visits I (Irregular) : Occurrence is too irregular to assign to any of the frequency classes * Subjective assessment # recorded in earlier studies 80 Inside a City Forest THE CITY FOREST BECKONS… some tips for the amateur naturalist Bracket fungus Having ventured outdoors, the novice naturalist, at the threshold of her new-found interest is often at a loss. Among the bewildering ensemble of sights, sounds and smells that assault her senses, she is unable to pick one and focus her attention on it. These beginner’s hiccups are but natural. Here in this section we shall quickly go through some basic tips for the young nature lover; we shall also look at some nature trails inside the ASZBG campus (See Box 1) , and other such areas in Guwahati that one can explore (See Box 3). One of the first questions that comes from a crowd of Civet dropping Flesh fly on dead wasp Geckos mating youngsters interested in nature concerns the kind of equipment that a naturalist should possess. Surely, it doesn’t harm one to have third place by good field guides for reference. The fourth is a camera, the latest gadgets, but without genuine interest and a passion for but it is entirely optional. The rest of the contraptions are mostly the outdoors, they are useless. Nothing can substitute curiosity, impedimenta which are often distracting for the beginner. But as sharp senses and time spent in the field. Of course, some basic one progresses in the hobby and starts specializing in a group of pieces of equipment is no doubt required - the good old note- animals for further study, then one has to acquire certain other useful book and pencil (plus copious note-taking) should rank first among items like hand-lens, headlamp, snakestick, butterfly net, collecting these. A pair of binoculars ranks a close second, followed at the vials etc.. In fact, each taxon (an animal or plant group) requires a different set of equipments by itself. Where to go, when to go, and how many people to go with are questions which depend entirely on the individual. Any given place, be it a deep forest glade or a busy city bus-stop will have something to offer to the discerning naturalist; hence the place where nature- watching can be done is not really a big issue. As for the appropriate time to go to field, opinions vary - the birder would be up and about at the crack of dawn while the amphibian enthusiast will wait for dusk to settle. Regarding the third question, I would say Assassin bug attacking a caterpillar Botanical Garden Trail that it is best to proceed in small groups not exceeding 5-10; anything

Inside a City Forest 81 more than five is definitely a crowd for serious natural history (some visual information regarding an animal and its habitat. The of my most memorable walks have been done alone; to me at rule is to check out anything out of the ordinary and observe least, long treks in solitude in complete communion with Nature even commonplace things carefully; there might be minute gives a sense of spiritual calm, unrivalled by any other activity). but nevertheless, interesting points which can go unnoticed. Sighting life-forms occurs partly by chance and partly by search- b. Auditory – sounds of any kind (calls, footfall, movement image formation acquired by experience. Every taxon has its own etc.) This aspect is often underestimated, but to me is crucial; search image, normally non-overlapping with that of others. Thus, not just in locating the presence of a lurking animal but also the chances of a bird-watcher (with his eyes scanning the foliage as diagnostic identification tips for several mammals, birds for warblers) spotting the pit-viper coiled among the leaf litter are and frogs. minimal; on the contrary, the herp man with his prodding snake- c. Olfactory – smells (of animals, scats, carcasses, spray, leaves, stick will surely see the serpent but will be blind to the raptor soaring fruits etc.) Helps detect animal evidences, also in the overhead. Hence, it is more profitable to have a small group of identification of certain plant families. three to four naturalists (one specializing in one taxon) go together d. Tactile – touch and texture (skin, leaf surface etc.) Often for an outing. All the above-mentioned points are strictly the helpful in identification, especially for flora and some reptiles. individual’s choice, but there are certain behavioral do’s and don’ts e. Gustatory - taste (of leaves and fruits etc.) Many plant families that is common to every naturalist and should be kept in mind (See have leaves with characteristic taste which aid identification. Box 2). Apart and above from all these is the tool of deduction . It is While in the field, cues helpful in locating and identifying wildlife this “putting two and two together” that makes natural history fall mainly under five distinct heads : exciting and brings true the axiom that knowledge is power. With a. Visual – unusual shapes, colours, movements, and all related experience, one is even able to predict certain natural occurrences, climatic and weather phenomena or even habitat quality by the presence, absence or behaviour of certain species. Thus, good natural history entails the judicious use of a combination of the above clues – known as “the gist”, a quality which is more than the sum of its individual parts. Identifying a species and giving it a name, constitute one of the first steps. But identification per se is not the end-all; there is nothing great about just a name ! More important are observations regarding the ecology and behaviour of a species; unfortunately, in our country, not much Knight butterfly sucking juices from a dead Male Jezebel courting a female is known about even some of the most widespread and common Heteropodid spider 82 Inside a City Forest Inside a City Forest 83 (see Map). Box 1 lists some of them and their salient features of interest. A list of possible projects that can be taken up by the interested students are also given in Box 4. Details of informative web-sites and discussion groups are also provided (See Box 5). A reading list comprising of natural history classics (See Box 6) and a reference list of field guides taxa-wise (See Box 7) is also given for the benefit of the young reader. A list of resource persons based in Guwahati who will be able to guide and suggest research topics to Porcupine gnawing signs Watch Tower road beginners is also provided (See Box 8). Some organizations species. It is precisely here that amateur naturalists can play a crucial concerned with wildlife and nature conservations are listed in (Box and cardinal role. In fact, Indian field biology has always benefitted 10). immensely by the invaluable contribution of amateurs. It is surprising Apart from observation, documentation and dissemination, to know that stalwarts like Stuart Baker, E.P.Gee and M.Krishnan conservation is also an equally important facet of natural history. In were there among their ranks. the next chapter we shall examine some of the issues concerning For an interested naturalist, ASZBG has several trails to offer the protection and conservation of this city forest.

Box2:Alist of dos and don’ts for the city naturalist Do’s Don’ts Treat all wild life ethically. Inform the concerned authorities about Do not collect specimens unless imperative for taxonomic work. any sign of snaring, poaching, wildlife trade etc. Do not indulge in intrusive/manipulative photography, especially Document urban biodiversity by involving fellow naturalists. of nesting birds.

Form like-minded groups for activism & lobbying for Do not disturb courting,mating,brooding or feeding animals conserving urban patches. Do not litter; never leave anything behind in the forest. Always get back to the authorities with findings, suggestions, possible interventions etc. Avoid loud laughter, conversation etc; be gentle in Nature.

Have regular get-togethers and field outings. Do not go in crowds inside the forest; small groups are best.

84 Inside a City Forest Box 1 : Nature trails inside ASZBG campus

1. Watch Tower Trail Office complex - Hathi Tilla - Baza Path - Minivet Junction - Ficus End - back to Minivet Junction - Watch Tower - WT Road - Sambar Lake - Office Complex

2. Jamun Swamp Trail Office complex - Hathi Tilla - Baza Path - Skink Path - Battalion Camp Road - Camp Tiniali - Eugenia Swamp - Lower Lake - Office Complex

3.Hillock Trail Office Complex - WT Road - Battalion Camp road - Hilltop Camp - Teak Path – Streamside Trail - Bambusetum - B.Garden - BG Trail - WT Road - Sambar Lake - Office Complex

4.Spider Cave Trail Office Complex- Outer Road - B.Garden - BG Trail - Spider Cave – Streamside Trail – Battalion Camp Rd – Colony – Office Complex

Box8:Alist of resource persons at Guwahati Overview of Protected Area Network / Permissions for scientific study The Chief Wildlife Warden, Rehabari, Ghty. Administration and Management of Assam State Zoo / Permissions for short term studies at ASZBG The DFO, Assam State Zoo Division, Ghty. Flora Mr. Nagen Das, Botanist, Assam State Zoo, Ghty., Mr. Srikanta Sarma, ACF(Retd.) Assam Forest Dept., Ghty. Mammals and general Wildlife Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury, CEO Rhino Foundation, Ghty., Mr. Bhupen Talukdar, ACF, Assam Forest Department,Ghty.

Inside a City Forest 85 Box8:Alist of resource persons at Guwahati Birds Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury, CEO Rhino Foundation, Ghty., Mr. Kulojyothi Lahkar, Researcher, Ghty., Mr. Bibhuti Lahkar, Aaranyak, Beltola, Ghty., Mr. Mrigen Baruah, Range Officer, CAC Office, Ghty. Reptiles and Amphibians Dr. Saibal Sengupta, Dept.Of Zoology, Arya Vidyapeeth College, Ghty., Mr. Firoz Ahmed, Aaranyak, Beltola, Ghty., Mr. Abhijit Das, Aaranyak, Beltola, Ghty. Butterflies and other Insects Dr. Jatin Kalita, Dept.Of Zoology, Gauhati University,Ghty. Conservation Biology and Research Opportunities Dr. P.C.Bhattacharjee, Gauhati University, Ghty., Dr. Gautam Narayan, Pygmy Hog Conservation Centre, Basistha, Ghty. Ms. Sonali Ghosh, Assam State Zoo, Ghty., Ms. Nandita Hazarika, Ecosystems India, Beltola, Ghty., Dr. Bibhab Talukdar, Secretary General, Aaranyak, Beltola, Ghty. History of Conservation/Landuse Mr. Bhupen Talukdar, ACF, Forest Dept., Ghty., Dr. Arupjyoti Saikia, Dept. of History, Cotton College, Ghty. Rescue and Rehabilitation Mr. Mrigen Baruah, Range Officer, Forest Dept., Ghty.

Box 3 : A naturalist’s list of wild areas in Guwahati

Name of the area Remarks Forests/Wooded Sites Garbhanga RF Richest patch near Ghty contiguous to forests of Meghalaya; excellent for all taxa. Important Bird Area (IBA). Rani RF Reasonably good patch; Hoolock groups, birds. Amchang WLS Good patch; especially for woodland birds in winter.

86 Inside a City Forest Box 3 : A naturalist’s list of wild areas in Guwahati Name of the area Remarks Forests/Wooded Sites S.Amchang RF Partly degraded; good for general natural history. Khanapara RF Degraded and encroached; some birds; remnant population of Flying Squirrels. Fatasil RF Degraded; has a Leopard population. Sarania RF Tiny hillock; good for general natural history. S.Kalapahar RF Small degraded patch; good for general natural history. Jalukbari RF Secondary forest and plantation; good for general natural history. Hengerabari RF Degraded; connected to the zoo, good for general natural history. Chunsali & Ramsa Hills Degraded; till recently had Capped Langurs. Nilachal (Kamakhya) Relatively intact rocky hill; Leopards; very good for reptiles. Narakasur Hill (Birubari) Degraded but relatively intact at places; good place for herpetofauna and general natural history. Umananda Small river island; Golden Langur, water birds. Wetlands Deepor Beel WLS Large lake and Ramsar site; wonderful for waterfowl in winter. Also herpetofauna. Borbil (Silsaku Beel) Marshy beel; waders and waterfowl in winter. Horusala Beel Marsh being reclaimed; Good for waders, rallids, Adjutant Storks. Barsala Beel Good for waterfowl, waders and rallids. Also frogs. Other Areas Brahmaputra Riverfront Riverbank mudflats and sandbanks; good for turtles, waders. Paltan Bazar Swamp Urban garbage dump; Adjutant Stork congregation. Veterinary College Campus Assorted habitat types; good for general natural history. Chandmari Landfill Urban landfill; Adjutant Stork congregation. Gauhati University Campus Assorted habitat types; good for general natural history and reptiles. Engineering College Campus Scrub, plantations; good for general natural history. IIT Campus & Faculty School Scrub, wetlands; good for general natural history. Narengi Cantonment Area Scrub, wetlands; good for general natural history.

Inside a City Forest 87 Box 3 : A naturalist’s list of wild areas in Guwahati Name of the area Remarks Other Areas Military Hospital Area Scrub jungle; good for general natural history . Narengi Landfill Urban garbage dump; Adjutant stork congregation. Heroneries/Roosts Kachari Forest Campus –Justice Medium sized mixed heronery of egrets, cormorants and pond herons. Bungalow campus Sukleshwar Road Small mixed heronery of egrets and cormorants Ranibari Road Small mixed heronery, mainly of cormorants

Box 5 : A list of useful web-sites/discussion groups on natural history Web-sites www.audubon.org General natural history; Funding. www.birdlife.net Extensive information on birds. www.cites.org Details of endangered species and trade. www.delhibird.org The premier site for N.Indian birds. www.dpreview.com The ultimate digital camera site. www.greenpeaceindia.org About environmental activism. www.indianjungles.com Information on nature tourism. www.kolkatabirds.com Ultimate site for N.E.birds; Great images; Triplists. www.nationalgeographic.com Last word on exploration of our natural world. www.optics4birding.com Great for info. on binoculars, scopes etc. www.sanctuaryasia.com Good articles, pictures and conservation updates. www.sierraclub.org General natural history; Funding www.traffic.org Information on wildlife trade. 88 Inside a City Forest Box 5 : A list of useful web-sites/discussion groups on natural history Web-sites Discussion Groups Nathist India Excellent site for getting updates on Indian Natural History. N.E.Birds kolkatabirds Dragon and Damselflies www.geocities.com/indianodonata http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/DragonflyIndia Indian butterflies http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/ButterflyIndia Insects [email protected] Moths http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/Indianmoths

Box 5 : A list of organisations concerned with natural history & conservation Government Sector MoEF(Ministry Of Environment & Forests) www.moef.gov.in The apex body; takes care of administration and policy;New Delhi. WII (Wildlife Institute Of India) www.wii.gov.in Nodal centre for wildlife research for the country ; Dehradun. ZSI (Zoological Survey Of India) www.envfor.nic.in/zsi Takes care of inventory and taxonomical works; many offices; HQ at Calcutta BSI(Botanical survey Of India) Taxonomical works; many offices; HQ at Calcutta

SACON(Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History) Conducts wildlife research, essentially in South India; Coimbatore. Inside a City Forest 89 Box 5 : A list of organisations concerned with natural history & conservation Non-government Sector BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) www.bnhs.org Oldest conservation organisation in Asia; Bombay. The naturalist’s mecca ! WWF(World Wildlife Fund for Nature-India) www.wwfindia.org One of the largest NGOs;HQ in New Delhi; has a branch in Ghty. WTI(Wildlife Trust Of India) www.wildlifetrustofindia.org Actively involved in PA network and it’s improvement. WPSI(Wildlife Protection Society Of India) www.wpsi-india.org Focus on illegal wildlife trade; New Delhi. CEE(Centre for Environmental Education) www.ceeindia.org Works on education and awareness; Ahmedabad; has a branch in Ghty. CSE(Centre for Science & Environment) www.cseindia.org Activist organisation dealing with policy issues, especially in environment; New Delhi. PFA(People for Animals) Highlights ethical treatment towards animals; has a branch in Ghty. Kalpavriksh www.kalpavriksh.org Emphasizes mostly on the people-nature interface. NCF(Nature Conservation Foundation) www.ncf-india.org Thrust is on quality wildlife research; Mysore. ATREE(Asoka Trust for Environment and Ecology) www.atree.org Deals with a variety of research and policy matters; has a branch in Ghty. Aaranyak www.aaranyak.org A regional NGO actively involved in research and awareness. Ghty.

90 Inside a City Forest Box6:Areading list for the young nature-lover * Box 4 : Some topics for short-term research at ASZBG Alfred Russel Wallace : The Malay Archipelago Post-graduate Level Billy Arjan Singh : Tiger Haven 1. Plant-Pollinator interactions with special reference to insect Birut Gladikaas : Reflections from Eden pollinators in ASZBG. Charles Darwin : The Voyage of the Beagle 2. Inventory and taxonomy of spiders in ASZBG Daniel.C.Dennet : Darwin’s Dangerous Idea 3. Ecology and behaviour of Theraphosid spiders in ASZBG. David Quammer : The Song of the Dodo- Island 4. Habitat selection of amphibians in ASZBG campus. biogeography in an age of 5. Species diversity of insects in ASZBG campus. extinctions 6. Ecology of hole-nesting birds in ASZBG campus. E.H.Aitken : A naturalist on the prowl 7. The bryophyte and pteridophyte flora of ASZBG campus. E.O.Wilson : The Naturalist 8. A taxonomic key to the grasses in ASZBG campus. E.H.N. Lowther : A bird-photographer in India 9. Behaviour and social organization of Rhesus Macaque with Ernst Mayr : This is Biology – The Science of the special reference to visitor-macaque interaction. Living World 10. Ecological separation of Gekkonids in ASZBG campus. George Schaller : The Year of the Gorilla Gerald Gerald Durrell : My family and other animals Under-graduate Level Jane Goodall : In the shadow of man 1. Mimicry in butterflies of ASZBG campus. Jared Diamond : The 3rd Chimpanzee – The evolution 2. Documentation of moth diversity inside ASZBG campus. of the future of the human animal 3. Phenological patterns of tree species in ASZBG campus. Jim Corbett : My India 4. Roosting behaviour of Pariah Kites in ASZBG campus. John Muir : My first summer in the sierra 5. Breeding birds of ASZBG campus. John Steinbeck : Sea of Cortez : A leisurely journal of travel and research High School Jonathan Weiner : The Beak of the Finch – A story of 1. Life-history of selected butterfly species of ASZBG evolution in our time campus. Joseph Wood Krutch : The voice of the desert – A 2. Association of wild birds with captive animals exhibited at naturalist’s interpretation ASZBG. Kenneth Anderson : The Tiger roars 3. Survival rate of saplings of selected tree species inside Laurence Van der Post : Heart of the hunter ASZBG.

Inside a City Forest 91 Box6:Areading list for the young nature-lover * Box 4 : Some topics for short-term research at ASZBG M.Krishnan : Nights and days Primary School Peter Mathiessen : Snow Leopard 1. Herbarium of leaf shape diversity in plants found within Richard Dawkins : The Selfish Gene ASZBG. Salim Ali : The fall of a sparrow 2. Collection of seeds of plants found in ASZBG. Stephen Jay Gould : Ever since Darwin 3. Planting of seeds and recording stages of growth. Henry David Thoreau : Walden W.H. Hudson : A naturalist in La Plata

*a very subjective selection from some of the author’s favourite writers on biology, nature and natural history. Please note that due to limitation of space just a single book of each author is given. It is expected that interested readers will trace the other works, many of which are also classics in their own right.

Box7:Aselection of field guides/books useful for species identification

Natural History

Daniel, J. C. (Ed.) : Encyclopaedia of Indian Natural History, Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press, Mumbai. Flora Brandis, D. (1921) : Indian Trees, Reprinted by International Book Distributors, Dehradun. Kehimkar, Isaac (2000) : Common Indian Wild Flowers, Bombay Natural History Society & Oxford University Press, Mumbai. Bor, N. L. & Raizada, M. S. Raizada (1954) : Some beautiful Indian climbers and shrubs, Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay. Kanjilal, U. N., Kanjilal, P. C. & Das, A. (1938) : Flora of Assam, Vol I – Vol V, Reprinted in 1982 by A Von Book Company, Ajmeri Gate, New Delhi. Blatter & Millard (1977) : Some beautiful Indian trees, Bombay Natural History Society. Randhawa, M. S. (1983) : Flowering Trees, National Book Trust.

92 Inside a City Forest Box7:Aselection of field guides/books useful for species identification Mammals Menon, Vivek (2003) : A Field Guide to Indian Mammals, Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd, Delhi. Prater (1971) : Book Of Indian animals, 3rd Edition, Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press, Mumbai. . Birds Ali, S. & Ripley,S.D. (1983) : Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan, Compact Edition, Oxford University Press, Delhi. Grimmet, R. et.al. (2001) : Pocket Guide to the birds of the Indian subcontinent, Oxford University Press, New Delhi. Krysmerczak (2000) : Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian subcontinent, Om Books, Delhi. Reptiles & Amphibians Daniel, J.C. (2002) : The book of Indian reptiles and amphibians, Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press. Das,Indraneil (2002) : A photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of India, Holland Publishers, UK. Whittaker, R & Captain, A (2005) : Snakes of India : The Field Guide, Draco Books, Chengalpattu-603001. Butterflies Haribal, Meena (1992) : The butterflies of Sikkim Himalayas and their natural history, Sikkim Nature Conservation Foundation, Gangtok, Sikkim. Kunte, K. (2000) : Butterflies of peninsular India, Project Lifescape, Wynter-Blyth, M.A. (1957) : Butterflies of the Indian Region, The Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay. Evans, W.H. (1932) : Identification of Indian Butterflies, The Bombay Natural History Society, Reprint by International Book Distributors, Dehradun . Colin Smith (1994) : Butterflies of Nepal, TecPress service, Bangkok, Thailand. Insects Mani.M.S. (1986) : Insects, National Book Trust, New Delhi. Linsenmaier, W.(1972) : Insects of the world, Mc-Graw-Hill Book Company, New York. Spiders Vijayalakshmi,K & Ahimaz,P (1993) : Spiders: An Introduction, Cre-A, Madras-14. Odonata Subramanian, K. A. (2005) : Dragonflies and damseflies of peninsular India - A Field Guide, E-book of Project lifescape, CES, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Inside a City Forest 93 OF ISLANDS AND EXTINCTIONS... a bit of conservation biology Dew drops on Taro leaf The ASZBG campus is an island. This patch of relatively are difficult to measure - like rates of speciation etc., processes undisturbed forest is surrounded on all sides by the man-modified which normally take place in large time frames, spanning several urban landscape of Guwahati. It is a large patch by city standards generations. A very useful theoretical frame-work to understand and no doubt a safe place for wildlife, thanks to the compound the dynamics of island communities is given by the Equilibrium wall which precludes biotic interferences like grazing and poaching. Theory Of Island Biogeography, put forward by MacArthur and And as we have already seen, it harbours a whopping 1200 odd Wilson in 1967. Stated in simple terms, it says that the number of species within its confines. Now, can we safely assume that all or species on an island is determined by a balance between immigration most of this 1200 species will survive and remain as such in future and extinction. This balance is dynamic, with species continually ? Will it not increase gradually; or for that matter, decline ? It is to becoming extinct and getting replaced by the same or different sets answer questions like these that one has to turn to the science of of species through immigration. Conservation Biology1 . Now, it is a widely appreciated fact that preservation of genetic According to conservation biology theory, the number of species diversity in any species is a crucial pre-requisite for its evolutionary that any island can support is a complex function of a wide variety potential and thus its continued survival (which essentially means of factors that can broadly be treated under two heads. One, the that even if changes occur in habitats, species can adapt to those proximate ecological reasons that can be quantified both in time changes and thrive). In turn, genetic diversity of any given and space - like structural diversity of the habitats, balance between population is determined primarily by the joint action of natural immigration and extinction etc. Two, evolutionary factors which selection and genetic drift (a term used in situations where frequency of genes in a population is determined by chance rather than evolutionary advantage). Larger the population, the larger its genetic diversity and hence, greater its ability to survive. On the other Children's camp at ASZBG Degraded hillock outside the campus hand, smaller the Giant African Snail, an introduced species 94 Inside a City Forest population, greater the chances of stochastic factors acting on it; ones in habitat islands, have a very high such populations are prone to genetic drift, and therefore to possible chance of going extinct. And that is precisely extinction. Hence large populations of any given species is imperative the reason why all is not hunky-dory with to prevent its extinction. Unfortunately in real life, especially in the many specialist species inside ASZBG ! present times, ideal large populations have become extremely hard Now, what if the sub-population of a to find. Extensive modifications by human agency have split them species, say the Abbot’s Babbler, goes locally into smaller sub-populations between which there exist minimal extinct inside ASZBG due to regular nest genetic exchange. This has been brought about primarily by habitat predation by monitor lizards and snakes ? destruction and fragmentation. Large contiguous populations of The Equilibrium Theory suggests that this yesteryears exist now as a metapopulation of fragmented small loss could be offset by immigration of more Water Hyacinth, sub-populations. And given the rate of fragmentation that plagues babblers into the campus from a nearby sub- an exotic weed our wildlife habitats, small isolated populations are on the rise by population, say in this case, from Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary. But the day. Fragmentation also affects the community structure : rarer, this shall happen only if, inter alia, three essential criteria are met. more specialized species with narrow niche widths get replaced One, that Abbot Babblers show good dispersal ability; two, there by common, more adaptable generalist species. exists a habitat corridor in place for such immigration to occur ; Now, coming back to the issue of extinction, the point to be and three, there are more such birds in Amchang. Well, in nine out noted is that such fragmented sub-populations have a rather limited of ten cases, one or other of these conditions are not met, and the genetic diversity. To compound the problem further, these small local extinction becomes final (which unfortunately holds true for populations also face the risk of inbreeding depression, (wherein our example also; Abbot’s Babblers are very poor dispersers and related individuals mate giving rise to offsprings having reduced there is no suitable habitat contiguity between ASZBG and the heterozygosity and Sanctuary, though there is a source population there). And when fitness). Most of the such local extinctions occur throughout the metapopulation range offsprings die, further of a species, it precipitates its eventual global extinction. Afterall, reducing the population; this global extinction is nothing but the local extinction of the last sub- downward spiral continues population ! So, it is crucial that we minimize the chances of inexorably, in a process extinction, even that of small populations. Every small patch of known as an extinction greenery with its dependent species, large and small, assumes an vortex. To put all this in a overwhelming importance when looked at in this context. And for nutshell – fragmented this to happen, complete protection of what remains now, is a pre- Sarania hillock as seen from ASZBG small populations, like the requisite. What else can we do ? Inside a City Forest 95 10 must-do things for the city naturalist. working in tandem is required for this. Definitely is a daunting 1. Plant and care for one tree every year. proposition, given the apathy and inertia that comes to the fore, 2. Keep a bird bath/bird feeding table in your front yard/ when any collective activity meant for the common good is balcony. attempted. But that does not mean that we remain mute witnesses. 3. Provide nest-boxes/pots for hole-nesting birds around Each one of us can contribute our bit towards making our your house. surroundings more wildlife friendly (See Box 1). And it is up to 4. Grow butterfly food plants in your garden. every one of us to go ahead and do what we can, lest we reconcile 5. Maintain your own check-list of neighbourhood wildlife, ourselves to a future about which Rachel Carson so poignantly especially birds. warned - the bleak future of the Silent Spring. Imagine a summer 6. Involve yourself with a local Nature Club / Activist group. dawn breaking in Guwahati sans the rising call of the Kuli, the sweet 7. Report any catapulting/poaching/animal product sale in your song of the Dohi Kotora or the friendly chirruping of the area to the authorities. neighborhood Ghor Chirika… Nightmarish, isn’t it ? It is to prevent 8. Choose a hillock/wetland/park nearest to you and regularly such nightmares from becoming real that we need to conserve monitor biodiversity there. 9. Publish your findings in newsletters/journals/magazines. every bit of urban greenery that exists, like the one at ASZBG 10. Pass on your interest to at least one other person. campus. Come, let’s dedicate ourselves to this cause and raise a toast to this wonderful verdant island, thriving amidst the heat and The answer lies perhaps in the recent and rather fashionable dust of Guwahati - long live the city forest ! discipline of Restoration Ecology. In our increasingly barren city commons, where a number of species continue to go locally extinct at an alarming rate, a process which often goes undocumented, it has become imperative that urgent and intelligent interventions, backed by good science is made, if we are to see man and wildlife thriving together. The steps that need to be taken start right from establishing baseline databases of biodiversity, prioritization of identified sites, active habitat modification (planting of selected species, dredging of wetlands, removal of weed species, re- establishment of any corridor contiguity etc.) and of course, regular monitoring. We have already done bits and pieces, but concerted, site-specific and time-bound efforts are lacking. Perhaps a corps of full-time paid eco-restoration workers and part-time volunteers, 96 Inside a City Forest REFERENCES

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