Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity3(4):27-35 (2019) (http://jwb.araku.ac.ir/) Research Article DOI: 10.22120/jwb.2019.111565.1076 Distribution of Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and its interaction with local communities in the Abohar wildlife sanctuary, Northwestern India Parteek Bajwa*, Netrapal Singh Nilgai interaction through vehicle collisions in Chauhan the sanctuary. Considering the expansive views of the respondents on other related animals and Amity Institute of Forestry and Wildlife, Amity environmental factors, the 3D perceptual maps University, Noida, UP, India were prepared to exhibit a holistic sight of their email: [email protected] opinion which can help strengthen the Received: 18 July 2019 / Revised: 24 July 2019 / Accepted: 28 July 2019 / Published online: 1 August 2019. Ministry of Sciences, management of wild animals in the sanctuary. Research and Technology, Arak University, Iran. Keywords: Antelope, community, conservation, Abstract density, perceptual mapping. The information regarding animal distribution and perceptiveness of local communities play Introduction an essential role in designing and planning India has a rich biological heritage and protected areas, and their management policies comprising nearly 89,451 species, which as well. To this aim, we mapped the includes 390 species of mammals (Kumar and distribution of our focal species, Nilgai Khanna 2006). Among mammals, ungulates are antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in and the vital component as they do not only form around the Abohar wildlife sanctuary from the significant prey base for large mammalian December 2017 to November 2018. Mapping predators but also are considered as indicators the species density helped in identifying the of habitat quality, protection and management critical spots regarding animal density. Our levels (Chopra and Rai 2009). Development in data indicated Nilgai density ranging from agriculture, the industry as well as increased 0.0654 to 6.946 individuals/km2. The seasonal urbanization has dramatically affected the group size of males and females was observed populations of these ecological dislocates to be significantly different throughout (Chauhan and Sawarkar 1989, Singh 1995, (p<0.01) the study period. The mean female Green et al. 2005). group size ranged from 3.91 individuals to 6.26 There are certain species which are indigenous individuals, whereas, in comparison, the and sensitive to particular areas. The average male group size varied less from 4.00 commercial practices of such habitats may individuals to 4.76 individuals. Concurrently, result in loss of these vulnerable species. the attitude of local people towards Nilgai and Intensification of agriculture and conservation its related attributes including crop damage, of cropland generally result in loss of wildlife vehicle collisions and conservation was habitats (Gonseret al. 2009). Consequently, recorded through the semi-structured survey of ungulates are surviving in fragmented habitats, local individuals (n = 139) working in the and occasionally become locally overabundant farming or allied practices. The results showed due to the realization of wildlife values and that 37% of the respondents considered Nilgai timely conservation efforts adopted by man to be responsible for crop depredation, while particularly in protected areas, reserve forests more than 50% perceived negative Human- and surrounding habitats (Singh 1995, Hoseti 28 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 27-35(2019) 2002). Hence, suitable and retirement Materials and Methods programmes can be chosen, leaving some land Study area for a certain period so that these may serve as The Abohar wildlife sanctuary (AWS) is suitable habitats for wild animals. These are located in the Southeast of Fazilka district of ecological dislocates and continue to be Punjab, India (29°59'57.768"N and affected by land-use practices which have 74°4'47.819"E). The sanctuary is situated disturbed the balanced habitat-species alongside the intersection of three states, relationship (Aryal et al. 2016). Wild animals Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab (Figure 1). The increasingly migrate into human colonization region is one of the largest producers of cotton and cultivated areas for food resources and (Gossypium arboreum) in Northern India. Also, cause a significant amount of damage to the varieties of wheat (Triticum spp.) and mustard agricultural crops or harm people due to mere (Brassica spp.) are important Rabi (winter) confrontation in India and other parts of the crops available in the vicinity of the protected world (Chauhan 1999, Lenth et al. 2008, area. The sanctuary covers an area of 186.5 Young et al. 2011, Silva-Rodriguez and km2 with scattered 13 villages. The ‘Bishnoi’ Sieving 2012, Home et al. 2018). Agricultural community’s religious belief has played a vital crop damage by such locally copious wildlife role in safeguarding these species from populations has been widely reported from poachers. Micro-regional geography shows many parts of the globe (Chauhan and marked variation in its semi-arid plains with Sawarkar 1989, Weladji and Tchamba 2003, scattered dunes. The soil in the sanctuary is Karanthet al. 2012, Lashleyet al. 2014). fertile, sandy and alluvial. The temperature Although advancement in agricultural practices varies from 5°C in winters to 50°C in summers. and technology, and community development The former starts during the end of November at rural subparts (Bartonička et al. 2018, Favilli when both day and night temperature fall et al. 2018) approaches to the eco-development rapidly, and the latter starts during the end of planning and integrated forest management April. The sanctuary on an average receives an practices are in progress in these areas, such annual rainfall of approximately 120 mm. The measures alone will not help attain the long area within the confines of the sanctuary is term solution to the above conflict situations. under private ownership of local ‘Bishnoi’ In Abohar wildlife sanctuary (AWS), large community, and the economy is mainly herds of the Asian antelope, Nilgai have been agrarian. Agriculture provides sustenance to invading the cultivation areas and feeding on more than 82% of the inhabitants, either crops, causing considerable damage (Bajwa through cultivation or allied occupations. and Chauhan 2019). In this research article, we aim to provide the density distribution of Nilgai Data Collection in the sanctuary area, which is built on the Line transects (n=152, average length=1.39km) private agrarian lands owned by the Bishnoi were laid on the selected roads and agricultural community. Also, we tend to reflect the fields already existing within the network. perception of the local community towards the Traversed transects were passing through the conflict situation leading from the crop damage wildlife sanctuary, croplands, built-up areas, done by these animals. Due to lack of potential canals and other landholdings. During Nilgai predators in the area, and with the restricted sightings, the information about the number of poaching, Nilgai population is multiplying fast individuals, group structure, age and sex was and consequently; the growing damage is recorded. The data were recorded from early engendering serious Human-Nilgai conflict morning 0700 hrs to 1100 hrs and 1500 hrs to affairs in the AWS. 1900 hrs in the evening from December 2017 to November 2018 following Sale and 29 | Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity 3(4): 27-35(2019) Berkmuller 1988. The Questionnaire survey was conducted in the sanctuary to know the perception and attitude of the local community all efforts, respondents were not restricted to engaged in farming practices (dominatingly Nilgai only and were asked to express their ‘Bishnoi’) towards human-interactions through views about any related attribute or other semi-structured interviews (n=139). The animals. To avoid overrated response, the responses were collected from January 2018 to objective of the survey was explained to make May 2018. The interviews were conducted in sure that they did not misinterpret it as a part of the local languages, and both male and female any subsidy scheme attempt. respondents were encouraged to participate. In Figure 1. Location map of the Abohar wildlife sanctuary, India Data analysis the direction in which the attribute increased The data recorded were analysed in Spatio- while moving away from the origin along that temporal scale to understand the kernel density line. The longer and closer attribute line to a distribution of Nilgai, seasonal group structure perceived ‘risk’ (red sphere) mentioned earlier and attitude of local people. The kernel density by the respondents exhibited the greater map of Nilgai distribution was prepared using importance of that particular attribute in the ArcGIS (10.2.2) software. The Z test apropos of each factor. statistics were performed to test seasonal differences in Nilgai male and female group Results structure (number of individuals). To prospect The kernel density distribution of Nilgai the local community’s attitude towards Nilgai (Figure 2) in and around the Abohar wildlife and its related attributes together, perceptual sanctuary was mapped. It was observed that the maps were prepared using the positioning minimum and the maximum range of kernel model software in DecisionPro, Inc. The density of Nilgai population was 0.0654 2 2 attribute lines on the perceptual map indicated individuals/km and 6.9460 individuals/km