Browsing by Author "Bhatnagar, Yash Veer"

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Relocation from Wildlife Reserves in the Greater and Trans-Himalayas: Is it Necessary?
(2008) Bhatnagar, Yash Veer
"The Greater and Trans-Himalayan tracts are cold deserts that have severe seasonal and resource scarce environments. Covering the bulk of Indian Himalayas, they are a rich repository of biodiversity values and ecosystem services. The region has a large protected area (PA) network which has not been com-pletely effective in conserving these unique values. The human population densities are much lower (usually < 1 per sq km) than in most other parts of the country (over 300 to a sq km). However, even such small populations can come into conflict with strict PA laws that demand large inviolate areas, which can mainly be achieved through relocation of the scattered settlements. In this paper, I reason that in this landscape relocation is not a tenable strategy for conservation due to a variety of reasons. The primary ones are that wildlife, including highly endangered ones are pervasive in the larger landscape (unlike the habitat 'islands' of the forested ecosystems) and existing large PAs usually encompass only a small pro-portion of this range. Similarly, traditional use by people for marginal cultivation, biomass extraction and pastoralism is also as pervasive in this landscape. There does exist pockets of conflict and these are prob-ably increasing owing to a variety of changes relating to modernisation. However, scarce resources, the lack of alternatives and the traditional practice of clear-cut division of all usable areas and pastures be-tween communities make resettlement of people outside PAs extremely difficult. It is reasoned that given the widespread nature of the wildlife and pockets of relatively high density, it is important to prioritise these smaller areas for conservation in a scenario where they form a mosaic of small 'cores' that are more effectively maintained with local support and that enable wildlife to persist. These ideas have recently gained widespread acceptance in both government and conservation circles and may soon become part of national strategy for these areas."
Strategy for Conservation of the Tibetan Gazelle Procapra picticaudata in Ladakh
(2007) Bhatnagar, Yash Veer; Seth, C. M.; Takpa, J.; Ul-Haq, Saleem; Namgail, Tsewang; Bagchi, Sumanta; Mishra, Charudutt
"Tibetan gazelle Procapra picticaudata is endemic to the Tibetan plateau. During the early twentieth century, it was distributed over a range of c. 20,000 km2 in Ladakh, India. Although its conservation status is believed to be secure, our surveys initiated in 2000 found that the gazelles population in Ladakh has undergone a precipitous decline. Today, c. fifty individuals survive precariously in an area of c. 100 km2 in eastern Ladakh. Population declines have also been reported from Tibet, which remains its stronghold. Local extinction of the gazelle in Ladakh is imminent unless active population and habitat management are undertaken. Management measures, however, are stymied by the lack of understanding of the gazelles ecology and the causes for its decline. Our recent studies in Ladakh establish that past hunting, particularly in the aftermath of the Sino-Indian war in 1962, and continued disturbance and habitat degradation associated with excessive livestock grazing are the main anthropogenic factors that caused the gazelles decline. Our studies have also generated an understanding of the important biotic and abiotic habitat correlates of the gazelles distribution, and the land use and socio-economy of pastoral communities that share the gazelles range. We review these findings, and based on our research results, outline a species recovery strategy for the Tibetan gazelle."