Fate by Food: Planning for Reintroduction and Designating Refugium for Indo-Nepal Migratory Rhinoceros unicornis Linn. in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2024/v150i10/170632Keywords:
Terai, Food-Habit, Rhinoceros, Grassland Habitat, Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Chitwan.Abstract
Monsoonal flooding is an inevitable phenomenon in Terai. Every third or fourth year, Rhinoceros unicornis (Rhino) from adjoining CNP, Nepal are carried away to the Terai floodplain of VTR, Bihar, India along with the surging water of river Gandak. This refugium was studied for the food availability of Rhinos as part of the reintroduction feasibility program. Vegetation sampling (2 m radius circular plot for grassland, n=304 and 10×10 m quadrate for forest, n=451) along transect lines was carried out. The study found 137 food plants of Rhino belonging to 115 genera, 59 families having 26 grasses and sedges, 18 herbs including three ferns, 14 aquatic plant species, 38 shrubs, 10 climbers and 31 trees. The abundant staple food plants were Phragmites karka, Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum bengalense, Saccharum ravennae, Saccharum spontaneum in the graze category and Calamus tenuis, Coolebrookea oppositifolia, Callicarpa macrophylla, Pogostemon benghalensis, Mallotus phillippensis, Mallotus repandus in the browse category, on which Rhino (primarily a grazer) switch during winters when grasses become non-palatable. Valmiki Tiger Reserve can be identified as a potential habitat for the reintroduction of Rhinos, provided managemental problems related to grassland, forest, weed invasion, and poaching are tackled.References
Adhikari K. (2015). Ecology, demography, conservation and management of greater one horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) In Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, Saurashtra University.
Aryal A., Acharya K.P., Shrestha U.B., Dhakal M., Raubenhiemer D. and Wright W. (2017). Global lessons from successful rhinoceros conservation in Nepal. Conser. Biol., 31(6): 1494-1497.
Ashraf M., Saikia A. and Sharma S. (2022). Legacy of co-existence between rhino and people in a protected area in India. Environmental Challenges, 9: 100639.
Bannerjee G. (2001). Habitat use by the great Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and other sympatric large herbivores in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. M.Sc. Thesis dissertation submitted to Saurashtra University, Gujarat.
Bell D. and Oliver W.L. (1992). Northern Indian tall grasslands: management and species conservation with special reference to fire.In:Trop.Ecosyst:Ecol.Manag.,WileyEastern,pp.109-123.
Bhatta R. (2011). Ecology and conservation of great Indian one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis.
Bonal B.S., Talukdar B.K. and Sharma A. (2008). Translocation of Rhino in Assam. Tiger Paper, 36(1).
Champion H. and Seth S. (1968). A revised study of the forest types of India. Government of India Press, New Delhi, 404 pp
CITES Report. (2022). African and Asian Rhinoceroses–Status, Conservation and Trade Report. CoP19, Doc 75, Annexure 4
Dhungel S.K. and O'Gara B.W. (1991). Ecology of the hog deer in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Wildl. Monogr., pp.3-40.
Dinerstein E. (1979). An ecological survey of the Royal Karnali-Bardia Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. Part i: vegetation, modifying factors, and successional relationships, Biol. Conserv., 15: 127–150.
Dinerstein E. (2003). The return of the unicornis - the natural history and conservation of the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Biology and Resource Management Series. World Wildlife Fund, Washington DC, 320pp
Dinerstein E. and Price L. (1991). Demography and habitat use by greater one-horned rhinoceros in Nepal. J. Wildl. Manag., 55: 401–411.
Dutta D.K. (2018). A study on translocated rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) behaviour and habitat preferences at Manas National Park, Assam India. PhD Thesis. Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam.
Dutta A.K. (1991). Unicornis. The great Indian one horned rhinoceros.KonarkPublishersPvtLtd.NewDelhi(India).143 pp
Dutta D.K. (2023). Behaviour and habitat preferences of translocated rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) at Manas National Park, Assam, India. Pachyderm, 64: 92-106.
Dutta D.K., Bora P.J., Mahanta R., Sharma A. and Swargowari A. (2016). Seasonal variations in food plant preferences of reintroduced rhinos Rhinoceros unicornis (Mammalia: Perrissodactyla: Rhinocerotidae) in Manas National Park, Assam, India. J. Threatened Taxa., 8, no. 13: 9525-9536.
Dutta D.K., Sharma A., Mahanta R. and Swargowari A. (2017). Behaviour of post released translocated greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) at Manas National Park, Assam, India. Pachyderm, 58: 58–66.
Ellis S. and Talukdar B. (2019). Rhinoceros unicornis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: e.T19496A18494149.
Emslie R., Amin R. and Kock R. (Eds.). (2009). Guidelines for the in situ re-introduction and translocation of African and Asian rhinoceros (No. 39). IUCN.
Foose T.J., Khan M.K.B.M. and van Strien N.J. (1997). Asian rhinos: status survey and conservation action plan, Vol. 32. IUCN.
Ghosh D. (1991). Studies on the eco-status of the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) with special reference to altered habitat due to human interference in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal. Ph.D. thesis, University of Ranchi, India, 305p
Ghosh T., Kakati P., Sharma A. and Mondol S. (2024). Optimising future rhino population management strategies using insights from genetic health assessments across India. bioRxiv, 08.
Ghosh T., Kumar S., Sharma K., Kakati P., Sharma A. and Mondol S. (2022). Consideration of genetic variation and evolutionary history in future conservation of Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). BMC Ecology and Evolution, 22(1): 92.
Ghosh T., Sharma A. and Mondol S. (2021). Optimisation and application of a forensic microsatellite panel to combat Greater-one horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) poaching in India. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 52: 102472.
Hajra P.K. and Shukla V. (1982). Dudhwa National Park: some botanical aspects of the proposed new habitat for rhino. Botanical survey of India.
Hazarika B.C. and Saikia P.K. (2012). Food habit and feeding patterns of great Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Assam, India. ISRN Zool., 1–11.
Jhala H.Y., Qureshi Q., Jhala Y.V. and Black S.A. (2021). Feasibility of reintroducing grassland megaherbivores, the greater one-horned rhinoceros, and swamp buffalo within their historic global range. Scientific Reports, 11(1): 4469.
Jnawali S.R. (1995). Population ecology of greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) with particular emphasis on habitat preference, food ecology and ranging behavior of a reintroduced population in Royal Bardia National Park in lowland Nepal.Aas,Norway:Agricultural University of Norway, p.129.
Johnsingh A.J.T., Ramesh K., Qureshi Q., David A., Goyal S.P., Rawat G.S., Rajapandian K. and Prasad S. (2004). Conservation status of tiger and associated species in the Terai Arc Landscape, India. Dehradun: Wildlife Institute of India, pp. viii+-110
Kandel R.C. (2003). Aspects of foraging, activity, habitat use and demography of rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis Linn.) in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal, M. Sc. Dissertation, Saurashtra University.
Kandel R.C. and Jhala Y.V. (2008). Demographic structure, activity patterns, habitat use and food habits of Rhinoceros unicornis in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., 105(1): 5-13.
Konwar P., Saikia M.K. and Saikia P.K. (2009). Abundance of food plant species and food habits of Rhinoceros unicorns Linn. in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India. J. Threatened Taxa, 1(9): 457-460.
Laurie W.A. (1978). The ecology and behaviour of the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis submitted to University of Cambridge.
Mary P.O., Solanki G.S., Limboo D. and Upadhaya K. (1998). Observations on feeding and territorial behaviour of Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Tigerpaper, 25: 4.
Maurya K.K. and Borah J. (2013). Status of tigers in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Terai Arc Landscape, Bihar, India. WWF-India.
Mukherjee T., Sharma L.K., Saha G.K., Thakur M. and Chandra K. (2020). Past, present and future: combining habitat suitability and future landcover simulation for long-term conservation management of Indian rhino. Scientific reports, 10(1): 606.
Owen-Smith N. (1987). Pleistocene extinctions: the pivotal role of megaherbivores. Paleobiology, 13(3): 351-362.
Pant G., Maraseni T., Apan A. and Allen B.L. (2020). Climate change vulnerability of Asia's most iconic megaherbivore: greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). Global Ecology and Conservation, 23: e01180.
Patar K.C. (1977). Food preferences of the one horned Indian rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis, in Kaziranga National Park, India, AThesis Submitted to Michigan State University.
Peet N.B., Watkinson A.R., Bell D.J. and Kattel B.J. (1999). Plant diversity in the threatened sub-tropical grasslands of Nepal. Biol. Conserv., 88: 193–206.
Pokharel S.K. (1993). Floristic composition, biomass production and biomass harvest in the grassland of the Royal Bardia National Park, Nepal. Doctoral dissertation, M.Sc. Thesis, Agricultural University of Norway, As, Norway.
Rao S.S., Sharma A., Talukdar B. and Sharma K. (2020). Protocol for the Wild to Wild Rhino Translocation of Rhinos in Assam. 10.13140/RG.2.2.16709.88809.
Rawat G.S. (2005). Vegetation dynamics and management of rhinoceros habitat in duars of West Bengal: an ecological review. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett., 28(5/6): 179.
Rookmaaker K., Sharma A., Bose J., Thapa K., Dutta D., Jeffries B., Williams A.C., Ghose D., Gupta M. and Tornikoski S. (2016). The greater one-horned rhino: past, present and future. WWF, Gland, Switzerland.
Sale J.B. (1981). Final recommendations of the rhino subcommittee of the wildlife status evaluation committee of the IBWL on the translocation of great Indian rhinoceros, Government of India, New Delhi, Mimeo.
Sale J.B. (1986). Reintroduction in Indian wildlife management. Indian For., 112(10): 867-873.
Sale J.B. and Singh S. (1987). Reintroduction of greater Indian rhinoceros into Dudhwa National Park. Oryx, 21.
Schenkel R. (1983). Report on suitability of Dudhwa National Park, UP, as the potential site for the reintroduction of the Indian rhinoceros. IUCN Species Survival Commission, Gland, Switzerland, Mimeo.
Sharma A., Dutta D., Swargowari A. and Singh S. (2012). The Released Rhinos in Manas National Park - The Fourth Year [April 2011 – March 2012]. 10.13140/RG.2.2.32606.46405.
Sharma A. (2022). The Population status of the greater onehorned rhino in India and Nepal, and the importance of regular monitoring. Pachyderm, 63: 176-178.
Singh S. and Rao K. (1984). India's rhino reintroduction programme. D.O.E. Government of India Publication.
Singh S.P., Sharma A. and Talukdar B.K. (2012). Translocation of Rhinos within Assam: A successful third round of the second phase of translocations under Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020.
Sinha S.K. (2011). Nature-assisted re-establishment of greater one-horned rhinoceros, Rhinoceros unicornis in its historical distribution range. Curr. Sci., 100.
Sinha S.P. and Swarkar V.B. (1991). Habitat and dietary selection by the population of reintroduced great India one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Dudhwa National Park. In International Rhino Conference, Rhinoceros Biology and conservation, San Diego, California, USA, pp. 9-10.
Sinha S.P., Sawarkar V.B. and Singh P.P. (2005). Twenty years of rhino reintroduction programme in Dudhwa National Park. Tigerpaper, 32: 3.
Sinha S., Bahera S.K., Bodhankar S., Chaudhary B.C. and Kaul R. (2016). Ecology and management of grasslands in Valmiki Tiger Reserve in the Himalayan foothills, India. In Rawat, G. S. and Adhikari, B. S. (Eds.) Ecology and Management of Grassland Habitats in India. Envis Bulletin: Wildlife and protected areas, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun-248001, India, 2016, 17: 240.
State of the Rhino Report. (2022). International Rhino Foundation.
Steinheim G., Wegge P., Fjellstad J.I., Jnawali S.R. and Weladji R.B. (2005). Dry season diets and habitat use of sympatric Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and greater onehorned rhinoceros (Rhinocerus unicornis) in Nepal. J. Zool., 265(4): 377-385.
Subedi N. (2012). Effect of Mikania micrantha on the demography, habitat use, and nutrition of greater one- horned rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, Saurashtra University.
Talukdar B. and Sinha S. (2013). Challenges and opportunities of transboundary rhino conservation in India and Nepal. Pachyderm, 54: 45-51.
Talukdar B.K. (2022). Asian Rhino Specialist Group Chair report/Rapport du Groupe de Spécialistes du Rhinocéros d'Asie. Pachyderm, 63: 33-37.
Tripathi A.K. (2012). Habitat and population ecology of Rhinoceros unicornis in Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh. Int. J. Pharm. Life Sci., 3: 2090–2097.
Wegge P., Shrestha A.K. and Moe S.R. (2006). Dry season diets of sympatric ungulates in lowland Nepal: competition and facilitation in alluvial tall grasslands. Ecol. Res., 21(5): 698-706.
Downloads
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Unless otherwise stated, copyright or similar rights in all materials presented on the site, including graphical images, are owned by Indian Forester.
