Vol. 36: No. 1 Junuary-March 2009 MAMMALIAN DIVERSITY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR JASROTA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, KATHUA (J&K) by Sanjeev Kumar and D.N. Sahi Introduction marked and later surveyed for the presence of the animal. asrota Wildlife Sanctuary, with an area of 10.04 Jkm2, is situated on the right bank of the Ujh Roadside surveys river in district Kathua, J&K State, between 32o27’ These surveys were made both on foot and by and 32o31’ N latitudes and 75o22’ and 75o26’ E vehicle. These were successful particularly in case longitudes. The elevation ranges from 356 to 520 of Rhesus monkeys, which can tolerate the m. Climatic conditions in study area are generally presence of humans and allow the observations dry sub-humid. The summer season runs from to be made from close quarters. Counting was April to mid-July, with maximum summer done and members of different troops were temperatures varying between 36oC to 42oC. The identified by wounds on exposed parts, broken legs winter season runs from November to February. or arms, scars or by some other deformity. Many Spring is from mid-February to mid-April. The times, jackals and hares were also encountered |Mammalian diversity and management plan for Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary| average cumulative rainfall is 100 cm. during the roadside surveys. The flora is comprised of broad-leaved associates, Point transect method namely Lannea coromandelica, Dendro- This method was also tried, but did not prove as calamus strictus, Acacia catechu, A. arabica, effective as the line transect method and roadside Dalbergia sissoo, Bombax ceiba, Ficus survey. religiosa, Zizyphus jujuba, etc. along with shrubs like Adhatoda vasica, Lantana camara, Water hole technique Parthenium hysterophorus, Calotropis procera, This method was also used for the study of etc. mammals. It was applied more efficiently during pinch periods when water acts as limiting factor. Methodology All the methods were applied during early morning The following methods were used for inventory hours and late evening hours, except the water and survey of mammalian species in the study area: hole technique, which was applied during the noon hours in the summer season. Line transect method In this method a predetermined transect was Indirect methods traversed either by foot or vehicle. The different The presence of mammalian species was also mammalian species encountered were recorded. noted by other signs, e.g., quills of porcupine, scats, These line transects were used in different habitats presence of hair, bones, pug marks, etc. Villagers to determine the presence or absence of different and nomads were also interviewed over wide species in the particular habitats. Sometimes areas regarding the presence or absence of evidences such as burrows, quills, bones, mammals by providing them with the pictorial defecation, signs of destruction of habitat were guides and photographs of different mammals for encountered and recorded. These evidences also identification that are likely to be found in the area. indicate the presence of particular animals. The For identification and classification purposes, spot where such evidences were found is then 18 Vol. 36: No. 1 Junuary-March 2009 | colourful plates by Prater (1971) and Tikader sanctuary has resulted in excessive biotic pressure Sanctuary Wildlife for Jasrota Mammalian diversity and management plan (1983) proved helpful. on the area. Excessive lopping of Grewia optiva, Ficus palmata, Acacia catechu, A. modesta, Binoculars (12x50 Super Zenith) were used to Albizia lebbeck, Bauhinia variegata, Butea record the observations from a distance to avoid monosperma and Dalbergia sissoo is performed any disturbance to mammals. for feeding cattle. Both the grazers and browsers owned by the tribals are brought to the forest in Observations the morning and left there for the whole day. These animals are confined to 1 to 2 km inside the Census sanctuary. The browsers cause maximum damage to the forest ecosystem The census surveys were conducted for three days from 21 to 23 April 2006 in predetermined Removal of forest floor litter transects. Overall, 9 transects were laid down at considerable distances from each other to avoid The leaf litter and worn out twigs of plants are double counts of the animals. The transects were removed from the forest floor as a source of fuel, of variable length (mean length = 2 km) with a for heating houses and cowsheds during winter fixed width of 80 m. Forty-five observers were months and as compost. This practice brings about involved in data collection, 5 in each transect. changes in the physicochemical properties of soil. It halts the process of decomposition. The census began simultaneously across all the nine transects at 5:15 am, and ended depending In the Kandi area this practice disturbs the ground on the length of transect. The observers walked water regime, as the thick layer of sponge (litter) along the transects at a fixed 20 m distance from is removed periodically. The soils are washed away | each other and each searched 10 m of the transect in gullies during the monsoon months. on both sides. The total number of animals seen, Plantations and weed infestation time of their sighting, direction of their movement, etc. were recorded by the observers. The results Plants such as Eucalyptus lanceolatus, Dalbergia were calculated and presented in tabular form. sissoo, Albezia lebbeck, Leucinea leucocephala, Eucalyptus sp. and Acacia catechu have been Calculations: planted within the sanctuary limits, to meet short- Mean length of each transect: term requirements at the cost of long-term 2 km ecological damage. Lantana camara and Width of each transect Parthenum hysterophorous have left no space 0.08 km unoccupied along all national and village roads and Area traversed in each transect: along village/forest buffers. The dense growth of 0.16 km2 these weeds poses a main obstacle in the migration Total area of the sanctuary traversed of wild animals, besides deteriorating the soil strata. 0.16 km2 x 9 = 1.44 km2 These plants also draw up moisture from various in all the nine transects layers of soil and transport it to the air, thereby rendering the soil stratum dry and affecting the Threats to biodiversity in and near Jasrota growth of mesophytes. The infestation of Wildlife Sanctuary Partheniunm hysterophorous has become a menace to wildlife, as they fall prey to severe Lopping and grazing stomach ailments. The rural people practice agricultural and pastoral Encroachments occupations to earn their living. Quite a good number of cattle, goats and sheep are kept for Development activities around the sanctuary and milk, manure and wool. The uncontrolled increase the expanding urban sprawl are taking a heavy in the bovine population in the close vicinity of the 1919 Vol. 36: No. 1 Junuary-March 2009 toll on the nearby forest fringes and have led to shrinkage of Jasrota forest range. Activity of villagers in the sanctuary area Pilgrimages within the sanctuary Activity of villagers in the sanctuary was reported during the course of investigation. Human An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and settlements have also been reported. Kaliveer attracts thousands of people from adjoining localities and different states. The road Suggestions and recommendations: and walking tracks for the pilgrimage in the Improvement of habitat sanctuary have fragmented some portions of the ¾ Improvement of water resources by forest. These tracks are used by the people during creating more artificial water holes to morning and evening hours, which results in the supply drinking water to wild animals disturbance of daily schedule or activity of various throughout the year. The ponds should be birds and animals. lined with cement so that water can be retained for long durations. Also, there Lack of fruit trees should be provision for proper supply of water throughout the year. The lack of fruit trees in the sanctuary was noticed ¾ Rehabilitation of old water tanks by during the course of fieldwork. These fruit trees efficient rainwater harvesting and act as a good source for attracting the various sustainable watershed management bird species. practices. Concept of rainwater harvesting should be applied at those Scarcity of water places where the natural water of rains |Mammalian diversity and management plan for Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary| can be stored to be used by wildlife. During the course of the survey, no permanent Improvement of cover source of water was found in the sanctuary area. ¾ Escape cover for the wildlife can be raised Various ponds have existed since time immemorial with due care and protection. But to hasten and some new ones have been constructed in the the restoration of cover where it has been sanctuary as sources of drinking water. These dry excessively depleted, artificial aids such up during the hot season and the animals have to as barbed wire, cattle-proof fences and cross the roads or enter the nearby villages to get plantation of thorny hedges like Zizyphus to the nearby river Ujh to quench their thirst; on sp. should be used to prevent the entry of the way they sometimes meet accidental deaths poachers / hunters and also livestock that and sometimes are hunted. compete with the wild animals. ¾ Artificial covers with natural looking No proper drainage system designs and color that blend with natural surroundings should be set up to provide No proper drainage system was found in the shelter to wild fauna like Varanus, sanctuary area. During the course of the survey mongoose and porcupine. it was found that during the monsoons when there Periodic evaluations of the habitat and wild is heavy rainfall a lot of soil gets eroded. fauna must be carried out to monitor changes in status of species and also the response of Interference by Gujjars and Bakerwals populations to changes in the environment. Counts conducted over a wider area and in In winter, the Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes migrate different seasons can help to determine the from the hills to the sanctuary every year.