Analyse habitat suitability and possible threats to reintroduced blackbuck which are currently in predator proof fence enclosure from their release to the open and natural habitat codition

1. WELCOME TO ALL
RESEARCHER: ADVISOR:
Komal Patali Jhamak B.Karki, PhD
BSc. 4th Year, 2nd Semester Vice Principal
Roll Number: 17 Kathmandu Forestry College
Kathmandu Forestry College

2. Possible Impact of Habitat Extension on the Management
of Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) in Hirapur Phanta of Suklaphanta
National Park
Project start and end date:
Started from mid of November 2016 and ended within April 2017

3. Flow of Presentation
Introduction
Research Objective
Research Methodology
Result & Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendation
Glimpse of the glory
Acknowledgement

4. 1. INTRODUCTION
 Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) locally known as Krishnarsar, is an elegant, gazelle-like animal,
regarded as the most handsome member of the ‘Bovidae’ family and is a medium size
antelope.
It has been endemic to South Asian Sub-continent (Nepal, India and Pakistan).
In Nepal, scattered population of blackbuck occurred in Banke, Bardiya and Kanchanpur
districts of western Nepal as late as 1960s.
Now it is restricted in Khairapur of Bardiya district (281 BB) and Kanchanpur district (50 BB)of
western Nepal.
In Kanchanpur, Re-introduced Blackbucks are kept in predator proof fenced enclosure of 17 ha.
at Hirapur phanta of younegst SuNP.

5. Introduction..
 The blackbuck inhabits low growing grassy plains and thinly
forested areas., while they avoid densely forested and hilly
areas.
 They are primarily grazers and some time browse leaves of
trees, fruit and shrub.
 They shows sexual dimorphism where characteristics of
body coloration and horns are used to differentiate
male (buck) and female (doe).

6. 2. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
General Objective:
To assess the possible impact on the conservation and management of
Blackbuck population from habitat extension and their release to a natural
habitat condition of Hirapur Phanta.
Specific Objective:
• To assess the habitat suitability of Hirapur Phanta for blackbuck
population.
• To investigate possible threats to the management of blackbucks in
Hirapur Phanta after their release from the enclosure

7. 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
3.1 Study Area
Study Site:
Hirapur Phanta
 Total Area =150
hectare
 Predator proof
Enclosure area =17
hectare

8. 3.2 Data Collections
3.2.1 Primary data
 Reconnaissance Survey
 Vegetation inventory
 House Hold Survey
 Discussion with Key Informants

9. Sampling Design
For Vegetation composition ( RD, RF,RC)
 Quadrate sampling along transect lines was carried.
- 14 transect lines were laid through out Hirapur Phanta
- East west direction
- Transect line to transect line distance= 200 m. (Jnawali,1995)
- Altogether 53 sampling plots were taken (40 sampling plot outside while 13 inside the enclosure)
- Quadrate size= 1m × 1m. ( For ground vegetation)
- Sampling plot to sampling plot distance along transect line = 150 m. (Khatri,1993)
For Household Survey
• 29 HHs ( 10%) out of 283 HHs were selected randomly from Simalphanta village which was
adjacent to eastern part of the Hirapur Phanta.

10. 3.2.2 Secondary data
 Books
 BCA Annual Reports
 Research Reports
 Internet
 DNPWC library
 SuNP, NTNC reports

11. 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

12. 4. 1 Objective 1: Habitat suitability of Hirapur Phanta for Blackbuck
4.1.1 Food preference S. N. Species Local Name Intake
1 Ageretum conyzoides Gandhe jhar -
2 Bidens spp. Kuro ++
3 Bothriochloa ischaemum Bansoo ++
4 Casia tora Tapre -
5 Cynodon dactylon Dubo +++
6 Cyperus rotundus Mothei ++
7 Desmodium spp. Tinpate ++
8 Eleusine indica Kodo ghans +++
9 Imperata cylindrica Siru +
10 Medicago denticulre Chari amilo ++
11 Phyllanthus virgatus Amala jhar ++
12 Plusospermium spp Dhinaya paate -
13 Vetiveria zizonoides Jove +
14 Youngia japonica Dudhiya +++
15 Balu ghans +
16 Majitho _
Table 1: Food preference of
Blackbuck during February,
2017
High preference = + + +
Medium preference = + +
Low preference = +
Negative preference = -

13. 4.1.2 Vegetation composition
• Altogether 16 grass species were recorded during the month of February.
• Among them less preferable Siru has the highest relative cover followed by highly preferable
Dubo and moderately preferable Kuro respectively both inside and outside of the enclosure.
• Dubo has the highest relative frequency and IVI both inside and outside of the enclosure.
• Unwanted species like Tapre, Besarma were relatively abundant outside the enclosure.

14. • Comparison between Relative cover of some
Blackbuck preferable grass species found inside and
outside of enclosure in Hirapur Phanta.
Comparison between Relative cover of less preferable
and unwanted grass species found inside and outside of
enclosure in Hirapur Phanta.

15. 4.1.3 Availability of water

16. 4.1.4 Food Sufficiency
Respondents perception on Food Sufficiency for BB in Hirapur Phanta

17. 4.2 Objective 2: Threats to the management of Blackbuck habitat
Figure: Possible Tendency of meeting BB and livestock
4.2.1 Possible tendency of meeting Blackbuck and Livestock

18. 4.2.2 Possibility of Disease Transmitting
• Hirapur Phanta was grazed by more than 450 cattle each
day.
• Common diseases of cattle in the study were Foot and
Mouth Disease i.e. Khoret followed by Rinderpest,
Pneumonia, Worm infestation, Tila, Diphtheria, Scabies
(Luto rog) and Diarrhea.

19. 4.2.3 Possible Threats due to Predation
• Figure 6: Possible Threats due to
Predators in Hirapur Phanta

20. 4.2.4 Threats from Poaching

21. 4.2.5 Invasion of Grassland by Unwanted Species
• Outside of enclosure, unwanted species of grasses and shrubs like
Tapre, Gandhe jhar and Besarma (Ipomoea fistula) were invading
BB preferable grasses.
• Besarma (Ipomoea fistula) was also poisonous for BB.

22. 5. CONCLUSION
• BB preferable grass species are comparatively abundant inside the enclosure
while less preferable and unwanted species are abundant outside the enclosure.
• Predation by Leopard, Jackal, Wild boar, Tiger and attack of Stray dogs are major
possible threats to Blackbuck in the Hirapur phanta.
• Higher possibility of transmission of FMD Khoret and Rinderpest disease from
livestock when they share same grazing fallow and water source.
• Poaching is not serious problem for Blackbuck in Hirapur Phanta at the moment
• Habitat management issues like invasion by unwanted species and heavy grazing
are challenging threats.

23. 6. RECOMMENDATION
• Unwanted invasive species should be controlled and eradicated.
• Conduct Vaccination camp for cattle.
• BB desirable cereal should be cultivated on certain parts of the Phanta cereal
crops should be cultivated on certain parts of the Phanta to provide
supplementary food during food deficit period.
• sterilization of the female dogs.
• Sufficient number of artificial water holes should be constructed and their timely
maintenance
• Range improvement activities like ploughing, controlled fire burning,grass cutting
and other pre release operation should be carried out.
• Should prepare a national conservation action plan for the long term survival and
management of Blackbuck in Nepal.

24. Glimpse of the glory:
Counting the grass species for vegetation analysis

25. Blackbuck inside the predator proof electric fencing in Hiraur Phanta, SuNP.

26. During Household Survey Domestic and feral cattle grazing in Hirapur Phanta

27. Water hole outside of the enclosure in Hirapur Phanta
Hording board showing details of Blackbuck reintroduction
program in SuNP

28. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
• Jhamak B.Karki, PhD, Vice Principal, KAFCOL
• Fund support (40k) – NTNC,Lalitpur.
• Mr. Bimal Kumar Acharya, MoFSC
• Mr. Man Bdr Rana, Ministry of Agricultural
Development
• Dr. Sidhharth Bajracharya, NTNC
• Mr. Bed Kumar Dhakal, CCO, SuNP
• Mrs. Janaki Bhandari and Gyanendra Shah
(Ranger, Arjuni sector office)
• Mr. Santosh Thapa and Gopal Gurung (Nepal
Army)
• My dear friends and family.

29.  THANK YOU 