(Semnopithecus Ajax) in Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Little Is Known of Their Home Range and Habitat Juveniles

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE Distribution of Endangered Kashmir Gray Langur (Semnopithecus ajax ) in Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Neeraj Sharma and Muzaffar Ahmed

Institute of Mountain Environment, University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Abstract The present communication deals with the extent of distribution of

Kashmir gray langur ( Semnopithecus ajax ) in upper Bhaderwah along an *Corresponding Author: elevational range of 2635 m to 3228 m based on the preliminary surveys Neeraj Sharma conducted during the years 2014 and 2015. Ten troops of 142 individuals numbering 3-27 each were encountered in temperate and sub-alpine forests Email: [email protected] and rangeland interfaces in the upper reaches of Bhaderwah covering an area of 21 km 2. The frequency of sightings increased with rising elevation Received: 08/01/2017 and dwindling conflicts. The study demands intensive investigations on Accepted: 17/02/2017 population ecology and behaviour of the primate in this part of north western Himalayas.

Keywords: Himalayan gray langur, Niru range, Anthropogenic stressors, Forest-rangeland interfaces, Dwindling conflicts.

1. Introduction primate, distributed in small pockets along some parts India is known to harbor about 15 species and of Pakistan, Nepal and India (Minhas et al., 2010). In 39 subspecies of non human primates distributed all the northern end of Western Himalayas, the species over, from Himalayan temperate forests in the north to exhibits a wide distribution range from Uttarakhand to tropical forests in the south (Mir et al ., 2015). Langurs Kashmir (Pakistan) (Groves, 2001). In India, it is are versatile primates and occupy an important position restricted to the states of Jammu and Kashmir, in the food chains in many Indian forest ecosystems. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (Roberts, 1997; Gray langurs, the most widespread langurs in the Walker and Molur, 2004). In Himachal Pradesh, the Indian subcontinent, are a group of old world monkeys species is found in Great Himalayan National Park constituting the entirety of the genus Semnopithecus. Kallatop-Khajjiar and Manali Wildlife Sanctuaries, All taxa had traditionally been placed in the single while in Jammu and Kashmir its presence has been species Semnopithecus entellus . In the year 2001, recorded from Dachigam National Park (Mir et al., however it was recommended that several distinctive 2015), Wadwan area of Kishtwar National Park former sub-species should be given species status. (Brandon-Jones, 2004) and presumingly the Vaishno Groves (2005) recognizes seven species which include; Devi hills (Anonymous, 2011). Further west, the S. ajax (Kashmir gray langur), S. dussumieri (Southern species has been reported from Maneshra, Palas plains gray langur), S. entellus (Northern plains gray Kohistan, Bankad, Dubair and Pattan (Roberts, 1997), langur), S. hector (Terai gray langur), S. hypoleucos Neelum and Jhelum Valleys, Hillian and Phalla game (Black-footed or South-western gray langur), S. priam reserves, Bagh (Ahmed et al., 1999; Iftikhar, 2006) and (Tufted or South-eastern gray langur) and S. Machiara National Park Azad Kashmir, Pakistan schistaceus (Himalayan or Nepal gray langur). (Groves, 2001; Minhas et al., 2012, 2013; Mir et al., The least known of all langurs, Kashmir gray 2015). Gray langurs are mainly folivorous, but also langur (Pocock, 1928), fondly described as a consume fruits, flowers, bark, leaf buds, seeds, ‘handsome langur’ inhabits the steep, rugged and agricultural crops and other distasteful vegetation unscrupulous mountains of western Himalayas. With usually avoided by other animals (Minhas et al., 2010; agricultural expansion and developmental activities Mir et al., 2015). A multi-male, multi-female type being the foremost threats to its survival, this species is social organization is typical of Himalayan Langurs. S. placed in the endangered category of the IUCN red list, ajax typically lives in groups of 25-40. The terrain and with previously being considered as critically shy nature of these langurs does not allow for an endangered (IUCN, 2012). It is an old world leaf eating absolute group count or population census and thus a

Journal of Wildlife Research | January-March, 2017 | Vol 5 | Issue 1 | Pages 01-05 © 2017 Jakraya Sharma and Ahmed… Distribution of Endangered Kashmir Gray Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) in Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir, India. little is known of their home range and habitat juveniles. Same year in August, we walked another preference (Anandam et al., 2014). track west-northwards of Bhaderwah. A large group of Upper Bhaderwah is characterized by intact 23 individuals was noticed near Hayan at 2635 m on stands of pure and mixed conifers viz., Deodar- August 26, 2014. Most of the troop was engaged in Bluepine at lower elevations (2100 m to 2600 m) taken foraging, few grooming while the juveniles were seen over by Fir and Spruce slightly above 2600 m playing (Fig 1c). The sighting frequency of the interspersed with scattered Himalayan yew patches. primates increased as we moved towards higher slopes The Kharsu -Oak and Birch forest above 2800 m marks with changing landscapes from mixed conifers to the tree line culminating to vast meadows through the gregarious oak patches ending up in rangelands and rhododendron-juniper scrub. These forests are home to rocky outcrops above. Another big troop of 27 many large mammals like common leopard, black bear, individuals was seen near Ramtund at an elevation of Himalayan fox, wolf and rhesus macaque besides the 3147 m, the very next day. The site is characterized by magnificent Kashmir Gray Langur. typical Kharsu -oak tree line merging with undulating grassy slopes near Seoj Dhar. The troop comprising the 2. Materials and Methods adults, mostly females was resting and abruptly started While conducting the routine floral and avian moving downwards smelling our presence. surveys in Niru range of Bhaderwah forest division, we The pure Kharsu -Oak forest overlooking Seoj noticed a small group of Kashmir gray langurs Dhar, locally known as Kala Ban (Dark forest) owing descending the slope near Chattergalla during June to its dense canopy is a rich habitat of Kashmir gray 2014. Subsequently, we conducted the organized langurs. We noticed three medium troops of 13, 18 and surveys during twelve field trips of varying days in 9 individuals in an elevational range of 3172 m to 3228 different seasons covering an approximate area of 21 m on August 29 and 30, 2014 (Table 1). Most of the km 2 located at 32 049 ′22 ″ to 32 056 ′25 ″ N and 75 045 ′32 ″ individuals were observed foraging at ground and to 75 051 ′35 ″ E in an elevational range of 2635 m to along forest edges, while few grooming and others 3228 m in the forest compartments 20, 21, 29, 34, 39, moving through the slope. The troops mostly 40, 41, 42, 44 and 49 of Niru forest range (Map 1). A comprised of the adults and few sub-adults. No total of 21 transects of 1-3 km mean length were laid juveniles were however sighted. Next summers, we to collect the information about the number and scanned other watersheds east and farther southwards. behaviour of langurs encountered in width of 20 meters On September 27, 2015, a group of 3 adult individuals on either sides of the transect. Observations were made (one male and 2 female) were seen foraging on ground by moving along transects mostly the bridal paths and away from Fir-Spruce forest edge at an elevation of scanning the surrounding area thoroughly. Most of the 3054 m near Gur-danda. We revisited sites 4 and 5 near transects were visited twice during late morning and Chattergalla close to site-6 but could not spot any troop evening hours. / individual. During our visit to Jai-Rajpura, the eastern extent of Bhaderwah bordering Bhalessa on February 3. Observations/Results 03, 2015, we spotted another group of 15 adult and During the study period we encountered a total sub-adult langurs mostly foraging on grassy slopes of 142 individuals, numbering 3 to 27 distributed in ten with recently melted snow, while sub-adults and troops in different forest stands of Niru range juveniles were seen playing besides the parents (Fig (compartments 20, 21, 29, 34, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44 and 1b). 49) of Bhaderwah forest division (Table 1). Their presence was mostly restricted to the interfaces 4. Discussion between forests, blanks and rangelands. On June 23, Groves (2001) first reported the distribution of 2014 we noticed a small troop of 8 adult gray langurs Kashmir gray langur in Kashmir while Brandon-Jones (two males and six females) descending a steep slope (2004) established its presence in Kishtwar National in a thick deodar-bluepine forest stand at 3063 m near Park not far off from the present study area. Mir et al. Chattergalla (Fig 1a). Encouraged by the sighting, we (2015) conducted intensive investigations on seasonal conducted organized surveys and luckily encountered population density of the species in Dachigam National another group of 19 individuals the very next day at a Park, Kashmir. The current survey established the slightly higher elevation of 3182 m along Kharsu Oak- presence of the species distributed in an elevational Birch tree line. We noticed an aggressive downward range of 2635 m to 3228 m in the upper reaches of movement with loud distress calls probably on being Bhaderwah. The number of sightings increased with noticed by us. The group comprised of 13 adults and 6 the rising elevation and maximum sightings were -

2 Sharma and Ahmed… Distribution of Endangered Kashmir Gray Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) in Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Fig 1: Kashmir gray langur Semnopithecus ajax a) Adult male b) Adult male and female, and c) Juvenile in its natural habitats in upper Bhaderwah

Map 1: False Colour Composite of the study area - a part of Niru range of Bhaderwah forest division showing the location of Kashmir gray Langur.

3 Sharma and Ahmed… Distribution of Endangered Kashmir Gray Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) in Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Table 1: Summary of records on distribution and behaviour of Kashmir gray Langur population in Bhaderwah during 2014-2015

Site / Dates of Time of Co- Altitude Indivi Forest Range / Behaviour Locality Survey the day ordinates duals type compart ment Site-1 August 1200-1450 32 055 ′54 ″ N 2635 m 23 Oak- Niru A multi male group, 0 Hayan 26, 2014 hours 75 41 ′17 ″ E Conifer Range / mostly foraging on mixed parts of trees, few on ground C 44 & grooming, juveniles C 49 seen playing on trees with parents Site-2 August 1500-1600 32 054 ′15 ″ N 3147 m 27 Dense Niru Troop resting and Ramtund 27, 2014 hours 75 041 ′52 ″ E Kharsu Range / moving across the Oak C 39 canopy forest Site-3 August, 1100 – 32 055 ′17 ″ N 3221 m 13 Dense Niru Foraging on dense oak 0 Seoj Dhar 29, 2014 1330 75 39 ′16 ″ E Kharsu Range / canopy

August hours Oak C 41 30, 2014 forest 1000 – 32 055 ′20 ″ N 3228 m Mostly foraging on 0 18 1200 & 75 38 ′58 ″ E ground at forest edges,

few grooming

1400 – 32 055 ′23 ″ N 3172 m 9 Troop moving towards 1530 75 038 ′34 ″ E dense forest ho urs Site-4 June 24, 1200-1400 32 053 ′18 ″ N 3182 m 19 Birch Niru Aggressive downward Chattergalla 2014 hours 75 042 ′32 ″ E tree line Range / movement with top parts of distress calls probably C 41 & on being noticed. C 42 Many juveniles noticed Site-5 June 23, 1030 – 32 052 ′36 ″ N 3063 m 8 Kharsu Niru Small group (3 males 0 Chattergalla 2014 1330 75 44 ′04 ″ E Oak Range / and 5 females) base hours treeline parts of foraging on ground, all C 34 & adults. C 40 Site 6 September 1600-1630 32 052 ′41 ″ N 3054 m 3 Fir- Niru Three adults (one male Gur-Danda 27, 2015 hours 75 046 ′01 ″ E Spruce Range / and two females) Forest C 29 noticed crossing the road towards hill base. Site-7 February 1100-1330 32 054 ′15 ″ N 3094 m 15 Blue- Niru Majority seen 0 Jai-Rajpura 03, 2015 hours 75 47 ′49 ″ E Pine Range / foraging, few resting

Forest C 21 and juveniles playing Small group of adults

noticed foraging on

ground.

1315-1530 32 053 ′58 ″ N 3161 m 7 Spruce- Niru A casual movement on 0 hours 75 47 ′33 ″ E Fir Range / being noticed forest C 20 recorded above 3150 m. The healthy population of the present study is 6.76 individuals/km 2 which is less than primate at higher elevations is attributed to intact and the density obtained for similar Himalayan ecosystems contagious forest stands virtually devoid of with 16.32 and 16.01/ individuals/ km 2 reported from anthropogenic stressors and conflicts thereof. Their Dachigam (Mir et al., 2015) and Machiara National existence in similar areas has been reported to be Park, Pakistan (Minhas et al., 2012), respectively. This between 2200 - 4000 m asl (Roberts, 1997; Nowak, may be attributed to lesser area coverage and restricted 1999). The overall population density of langurs in the sampling mainly focussed during summers only. Food

4 Sharma and Ahmed… Distribution of Endangered Kashmir Gray Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) in Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir, India. availability and seasonal migration might also be one and whole Chenab Valley per se which is contagious to of the factors limiting their distribution. The surveys Chamba and Khajjiar (Himachal Pradesh) the known indicated that troops had a restricted home range of 1.5 hotspots of Semnopithecus ajax. This being a km 2 to 3.5 km 2 as most of the troops remained confined preliminary survey limited only to establish the to the same distribution areas / sites during the presence of primate solicits intensive investigations on summers. It was substantiated by the secondary population ecology and behaviour of endangered information revealed by nomads and MFP collectors Kashmir gray langur in this part of north western around the study sites. Their home range in a similar Himalayas. landscape in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan varied from 2.33 km 2 to 6.0 km 2 (Minhas et al ., 2015). Acknowledgement The most common social activity noted during the The authors gratefully acknowledge the study was grooming among adults and play among the financial support received from University Grants juveniles and sub-adults as also reported by Anandam Commission. Thanks are also extended to the et al. (2014). Department of Forests, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir The species with limited geographical for granting permission to carry out the research. distribution in north western Himalayas has very well acclimatized and established its presence in Bhaderwah

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