Tigers' terrain

Exploration Series Four of Exploring Nature

The Tigers’ Terrain Satpura – Pench – Kanha National Park By Rajan Dey, Dwaipayan Ghosh & Arnab Basu 8th to 13th May, 2016

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The Tigers’ Terrain Satpura – Pench – Kanha National Park By Rajan Dey, Dwaipayan Ghosh & Arnab Basu 8th to 13th May, 2016

© All the Information and Photographs published in this report are the properties of Exploring Nature and cannot be used for commercial or research purposes without prior permission of the explorers 2

CONTENTS Topic

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Cover Page Copyright Statement Contents Chapter One Why this visit?

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Chapter Two Visit plan and day to day activity

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Chapter Three The Tigers’ Terrain Chapter Four

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Vegetation Pattern of “Tigers’ Terrain” Chapter Five

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……Still in the Shadow of Tiger End of Story

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Annexure One: The Explorers’ Profile Annexure Two: The Journey Itinerary Annexure Three: List of Species Identified Annexure Four: Reference

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Chapter One: Why this visit?

Being nature lovers and students of Natural Science for more than two decades, the members of Exploring Nature decided to pay tribute to Mother Nature by promoting awareness of some of the well explored as well as relatively less explored biodiversity around the world by carrying out a high level rapid biodiversity exploration. In these endeavor explorers of Exploring Nature, after the successful completion of the biggest exploration of the year 2015 – Exploration Series – II – “Hiking in Highlands – Wild South West- Visit to Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park and Periyar Tiger Reserve”, planned to explore “Nature’s Bounty” – Madhya Pradesh, which possesses the largest forest area among all the states in India.

Therefore, the team Exploring Nature launched - Exploration Series – IV – “Tigers’ Terrain – Satpura – Pench – Kanha National Park”.

Generosity of nature makes Madhya Pradesh a unique state.

Nature’s rich endowments provide a reason for pride as well as responsibility. 34.88 % (154506.40 sq. km) of the state’s geographical area (4, 43,000 sq. km) is covered by dry thorn to tropical moist deciduous forest.

The state consists of eleven national parks and 35 sanctuaries. Conservation of critically endangered species – Tiger, Central India Swamp Deer, Wild Buffalo, Hill Myna, Lesser Florian and Great Indian Bustard – are the specially of the biodiversity of this state.

In Madhya Pradesh wildlife tourism is a balance of conservation education and entertainment with the active participation of local people. Underlying principle is that the tourism is ecologically and socio-culturally sustainable. To provide the opportunities to all nature lovers and to appreciate India’s magnificent natural heritage and conservation benefits, Exploring Nature launched this series.

This report and all the photographs of explorations of Exploring Nature are available at http://www.exploringnature.org.in/tourreports.php

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Chapter Two: Visit plan and day to day activity It was a 6 day visit, consists of 9 safaris, by three biodiversity explorers (Refer Annexure 1 for the profile of the explorers), which excludes travelling to and fro between their respective home bases and subject exploration locations. For detail journey itinerary please refer Annexure 2 of this report.

Explorers assembled at Maharana Pratap Nagar, near Habibgunj Railway Station of Madhya Pradesh in the evening of 7th May, 2016 and after spending the night at Ganpati Hotel, they headed towards Satpura Tiger Reserve at nine o’clock of 8th May. They reached there at around 12:00 noon.

Explorers’ accommodation for one day was arranged in Madhai Riverside Lodge, from where the main entrance of Satpura Tiger Reserve was just 200 meters away. From the lodge one can get a breathtaking view of the high peaks of Satpura, its forest and the river Denwa. The Lodge offers a range of Indian Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian dishes. Local cooks are specially hired to bring guests as close as possible to the land of the wild.

Explorers started their first safari on same day afternoon at 3:30 PM, in the Kariya zone of the reserve; total 10 km of safari was ended at 6:30 PM. Next day safari started at early morning 5:45 AM at same zone and ended at 9:15 AM. After finishing breakfast, explorers left Madhai at 11:30 AM and reached their next destination at 6:30 PM. At Pench, staying accommodation for two nights was arranged in Tiger N Woods Resort. The entry gate of Tourai zone of Pench Tiger Reserve was 1.5 km away from the resort. A wonderfully designed resort of 10 exclusive wooden cottages built on a tree house style (Machaan Style) each cottage offering a private sit out overlooking the buffer zone of the park with all modern amenities. The resort is located 1.5 km from the park entry gate with three sides of the resort surrounded by forest.

Next day on 10th May, safari started at 5:45 in the morning and continued till 10:15 AM. Afternoon safari started at 4:00 PM and ended at 6:30 PM. The last safari in Pench happened in the morning of 11th May and after that explorers headed towards last tiger reserve of the series – Kanha Tiger Reserve. They started at 12:15 PM after breakfast and reached at Mogli Resort, Kanha at 4:00 PM. Mogli Resort, spread over nine acres with adjoining forest & greenery. The resort has 36 cottages designed to provide unobstructed view of the jungle around. All rooms have attached modern bathrooms with 24 hours hot & cold water supply. Evening 5

sittings on independent porches gives opportunity for seeing the beautifully lit sky with stars. Kanha National Park is divided in to 12 ranges; only 3 ranges are open for the tourist which is Kanha, Kisli & Mukki range. People can enter into the park by 2 gates Khatia gate & Mukki gate. The Khatia gate of the park was 1 km away from explorers’ resort.

Explorers did total 4 safaris in Kanha – 2 in morning and 2 in afternoon. All the morning safaris started at 5:45 AM and ended at 10:30 AM. The afternoon safaris started at 4:00 PM and ended at 6:30 PM. The last safari was happened on 13th February, afternoon and after that explorers stayed overnight at Mogli resort and then next day morning they started towards Jabbalpur to catch flight or train for their respective home bases.

During this 6 day visit, comprised of total nine (9) safaris, around 2388 photographs were taken by the explorer. The instruments used for photography was 60D Canon SLR with 400 mm lens, 600D Canon SLR with 200-500 mm lens and D3100 Nikon SLR with 18-55 mm and 70-300 mm (F/5-5.6) lens. Out of these 2388 photographs, 70 high impact and effectively informative photographs were selected to use in this report and publishing in the website of Exploring Nature.

In these 9 safaris, explorers had spotted and identified around 91 animal species.

Out of that there were 1 amphibian, 4 reptiles, 18 mammals and 68 bird species.

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Chapter Three: The “Tigers’ Terrain” At Satpura National Park Location: Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh, India Nearest city: Pachmarhi Coordinates : 22°29′42″N 8°13′52″E Area: 524 km2 (202 sq mi) Established: 1981 Satpura National Park is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh in India. Its name is derived from the Satpura range. It covers an area of 524 km2 (202 sq mi). Satpura National Park, along with the adjoining Bori and Panchmarhi wildlife sanctuaries, provides 1,427 km2 (551 sq mi) of unique central Indian highland ecosystem. It was set up in 1981.

The terrain of the national park is extremely rugged and consists of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines and dense forests. The altitude ranges from 300 to 1,352 metres (984 to 4,436 ft). It has Dhoopgarh peak as high as 1,350 metres (4,430 ft) and the almost level plains of Churna.

The nearest town to the national park is Pachmarhi and the nearest railhead is Piparia 55 kilometres (34 mi) away. The state capital Bhopal is 210 kilometres (130 mi) away.

Satpura National Park is very rich in biodiversity. The animals here are leopard, sambar, chital, Indian muntjac, nilgai, four-horned antelope, chinkara, wild boar, bear, black buck, fox, porcupine, flying squirrel, mouse deer, Indian giant squirrel, etc. There are a variety of birds. Hornbills and peafowl are common birds found here. The flora consists of mainly sal, teak, tendu, Phyllanthus emblica, mahua, bel, bamboo, and grasses and medicinal plants. In previous years, there have been sightings of tigers, dholes, Indian gaur and barasingha, although these are rare.

In 2 safaris, at Satpura National Park, Explorers spotted and identified 12 mammals, 43 bird species, 2 reptiles and 1 amphibian.

Amphibian spotted was Indian soft-shelled turtle.

Reptiles spotted were Indian monitor lizard and Marsh crocodile Birds spotted were Little egret; Greater egret; Lesser cormorant; Spotted dove; River tern; Oriental darter; Spot billed duck; Jungle myna; Jungle babbler; Pea fowl and pea hen; Red jungle fowl and hen; Greater racket tailed drongo; Oriental magpie robin; Wooly necked stork with nesting; Gray headed fish eagle; Crested hawk eagle; Crested serpent eagle; Indian skimmer; cattle egret; Painted spur fowl; Mottled wood owl; Flame headed parakeet; Black winged stilt; Red wattled lapwing; Green beeeater; Indian roller; Rufus tree pie; White breasted kingfisher; Asian open billed stork; Brahmini sterling; Black drongo; Long tail shrike; Flame back woodpecker; Stork billed kingfisher; Pied kingfisher; Oriental honey buzzard; Paradise fly catcher – Male (White and Rufus) and female; House sparrow (male and female); Scops owl; Paddy field pipit; Purple sun bird; Indian robin (male); and Ashy crowned sparrow lark.

Mammals spotted were Sambar deer (male, female); Nilgai (male, female); Northern plain languor (pride); Rhesus Macaque (male); Black napped hare; Indian bison (herds); Leopard cubs; Indian giant squirrel; Sloth bear (male, femal and cub); Burking deer; Wild boar; Three striped palm squirrel.

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Refer Annexure Three: List of Species Identified for detail.

At Pench National Park Location : Madhya Pradesh, India Nearest city : Seoni Coordinates : 21°40′17.76″N 79°18′11.88″E Established : 1983 Pench National Park is in Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh in India. It derives its name from the Pench River that flows through the park from north to south dividing the park into almost equal western and eastern halves, the well forested areas of Seoni and Chhindwara districts respectively. It was declared a sanctuary in 1977 but raised to the status of national park in 1983. In 1992, it was established as a tiger reserve. The park is famous for rafting. In 2011, the park won the "Best Management Award". This park is accessible from Pauni on National Highway 7 and has two famous entry gates, Turiya and Karmajhiri. The area of the present Pench Tiger Reserve has been described in Ain-iAkbari, and is the setting of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.

There are 10 villages in the national park, one inside the park (Fulzari) and nine on the periphery. Pench National Park comprises 758 km2 (293 sq mi), out of which 299 km2 (115 sq mi) form a core, the Pench National Park core area and Mowgli Pench Sanctuary. The remaining 464 km2 (179 sq mi) form the buffer zone. The protected area is covered with small hills and well-stocked teak mixed forest in the southern reaches of the Satpura Ranges. Elevation ranges from 425 to 620 m (1,394 to 2,034 ft). The temperature varies from 4 °C (39 °F) in December to 42 °C (108 °F) in May. Average rainfall is 1,300 mm (51 in).

The forest cover in the park area includes teak mixed with other species like saja, bijiayasal, lendia, haldu, dhaora, salai, aonla, amaltas. The ground is covered with maze of grasses, plants, bushes and saplings. Bamboo is also found at places.

Scattered white kulu trees, also referred to as 'ghost tree', stand out conspicuously among the various hues of green. Another important tree for both wildlife and tribal people of this region is mahua. The flowers of this tree are eaten by mammals and birds, and also harvested by the tribal people as food and to brew beer. The Bengal tiger is the main cat species of the park present in good numbers but since last one year due to 6 new born cubs their sightings have increased and being sighted almost every day. As per latest Tiger Census, there are apprx 40 tigers in the park, 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians. Commonly seen wildlife is chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, and jackal. Also Indian leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, porcupine, monkey, jungle cat, fox, striped hyena, gaur, four-horned antelope and barking deer live in the park.

The park is rich in bird life too. According to an estimate of the wildlife authorities, the park harbours more than 210 species including several migratory ones. Some of them are peafowl, junglefowl, crow pheasant, crimson-breasted barbet, red-vented bulbul, racket-tailed drongo, Indian roller, magpie robin, lesser whistling teal, pintail, shoveller, egret and herons, minivet, oriole, wagtail, munia, myna, waterfowl and blue kingfisher.

In 3 safaris, at Pench National Park, Explorers spotted and identified 11 mammals, 34 bird species, and 3 reptiles.

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Reptiles spotted were Forest Calottes, Indian monitor lizard and Common Garden Lizard.

Birds spotted were Jungle Crow; Jungle myna; Common myna; Jungle babbler; Spotted dove; Pea fowl and pea hen; Red jungle fowl and hen; Greater racket tailed drongo; Oriental magpie robin; Crested serpent eagle; Painted spur fowl; Mottled wood owl; Flame headed parakeet; Red wattled lapwing; Green bee-eater; Indian roller; Rufus tree pie; White breasted kingfisher; Brahmini sterling; White napped woodpecker (lesser, female); Oriental honey buzzard; Scops owl; Indian robin (male); Bush lark; Black hooded oriole; Common hoopoe; Indian grey hornbill; White eyed buzzard; White rumped vulture; Long billed vulture; Southern coucail; Asian quail (male); Golden oriole; Crested hawk eagle; Tickle’s blue flycatcher; Common hawk cuckoo and Ashy crowned sparrow lark.

Mammals spotted were Fruit bat; Golden jackal (female and cub); Wild dogs (Pack); Spotted deer (herds); Sambar deer (male, female); Nilgai (male, female); Northern plain languor (pride); Rhesus Macaque (male); Black napped hare; Wild boar; Three striped palm squirrel.

Refer Annexure Three: List of Species Identified for detail.

At Kanha National Park Kanha Tiger Reserve, also called Kanha National Park, is one of the tiger reserves of India and the largest national park of Madhya Pradesh, state in the heart of India. The present-day Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar, of 250 and 300 km2 respectively.

Kanha National Park was created on 1 June 1955 and in 1973 was made the Kanha Tiger Reserve. Today it stretches over an area of 940 km2 in the two districts Mandla and Balaghat. Together with a surrounding buffer zone of 1,067 km2 and the neighboring 110 km2 Phen Sanctuary it forms the Kanha Tiger Reserve. This makes it the largest National Park in Central India. Kanha Tiger Reserve was ranked in the top 10 Famous Places for Tourists.

The park has a significant population of royal Bengal tiger, Indian leopards, the sloth bear, barasingha and Indian wild dog. The lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha provided inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel Jungle Book.

Kanha Tiger Reserve is home to over 1000 species of flowering plants. The lowland forest is a mixture of sal (Shorea robusta) and other mixed forest trees, interspersed with meadows. The highland forests are tropical moist dry deciduous type and of a completely different nature with bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) on slopes. A very good looking Indian ghost tree (Davidia involucrata) can also be seen in the dense forest. Kanha Tiger Reserve abounds in meadows or maidans which are basically open grasslands that have sprung up in fields of abandoned villages, evacuated to make way for the animals. Kanha meadow is one such example. There are many species of grass recorded at Kanha some of which are important for the survival of barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi). Dense forested zones with good crown cover has abundant species of climbers, shrubs and herbs flourishing in the understory.

Aquatic plants in numerous tal (lakes) are life line for migratory and wetland species of birds.

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Kanha Tiger Reserve has species of tigers, leopards, wild dogs, wild cats, foxes and jackals. Among the deer species, swamp deer (Cervus duavcelli branderi) or hard ground barasingha is pride of the place as it is the only subspecies of swamp deer in India. The animal is adapted to hard ground unlike swamp deer of the north which live in marshy swamps. The reserve has been instrumental in rescuing the swamp deer from extinction. Indian gaur (Bos guarus), belonging to the ox genus, is found in Kanha but seen mostly as winter ends. In summer gaur inhabit meadows and water holes in the park.

Other commonly seen animals in the park include the spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and the four-horned deer. The latter can be seen at Bamni Dadar climb.

Recently, mouse deer have also been discovered in the tiger reserve.

Black buck have inexplicably become very rare. They vanished completely, but have been reintroduced recently inside a fenced area in the park. Nilgai can still be seen near the Sarahi Gate, while the Indian wolf once commonly seen at Mocha is a rare sight now. Hyena and sloth bear are seen occasionally. Langurs and wild boars are common, but the pugnacious rhesus macaque is seen less often.

Nocturnal animals like fox, hyena, jungle cat, civets, porcupine, ratel or honey badger and hares can be seen outside the park confines. Reptiles like pythons, cobras, krait, rat snakes, vipers, keelbacks and grass snakes are nocturnal animals, and are therefore rarely seen. There are many species of turtles as well as amphibians found in or near the water bodies.

Kanha and Satpura National Park being a part of Gondwana, now famous as a tiger reserve, was once ruled by wild Indian elephants.

In 4 safaris, at Kanha National Park, Explorers spotted and identified 9 mammals, 32 bird species, 1 amphibian and 1 reptile.

Amphibian spotted was Soft shelled turtle Reptile spotted was Rat snake.

Birds spotted were Yellow wattled lapwing; Sircar malkoha; Scarlet minivet; Jungle owlet; King vulture; Lesser egret; Greater egret; Black ibis; Pond heron; Jungle Crow; Jungle myna; Common myna; Jungle babbler; Pea fowl and pea hen; Red jungle fowl and hen; Cormorant; Racket tail drongo; Common drongo; Oriental magpie robin; Crested serpent eagle; Painted spur fowl; Brown fish owl; Orange headed thrush; Flame headed parakeet; Red wattled lapwing; Green bee-eater; Indian roller; Oriental honey buzzard; Scops owl; Indian robin (male); Black hooded oriole; White rumped vulture; Greater coucail; Golden oriole; and Red vented bulbul.

Mammals spotted were Golden jackal (male); Spotted deer (herds); Sambar deer (male, female); Northern plain Langoor (pride); Rhesus Macaque (male); Wild boar; Three striped palm squirrel; Swamp deer (herds); and Black napped hare.

Refer Annexure Three: List of Species Identified for detail.

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Spotted and Identified Species: Amphibian spotted and identified by explorers: 1. The Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica), or Ganges softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle found in South Asia in rivers such as the Ganges, Indus and Mahanadi. This vulnerable turtle reaches a carapace length of up to 94 cm (37 in). It feeds mostly on fish, amphibians, carrion and other animal matter, but also takes aquatic plants. IUCN status: Vulnerable

Key Reptiles spotted and identified by explorers: 1. The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris = "crocodile of the marsh"), also called the Indian, Indus, Persian, marsh crocodile or simply mugger, is found throughout the Indian subcontinent and the surrounding countries, like Pakistan where the Sindhu crocodile is the national reptile of Pakistan. It is one of the three crocodilians found in India, the others being the gharial and the saltwater crocodile.[4] It is a medium-sized crocodile that mostly inhabits freshwater lakes, ponds, sluggish rivers, swamps and marshes. Males of the species are said to grow up to 4–5 m (13–16 ft) in length. As with other crocodilians, females are smaller. The mugger crocodile has the broadest snout of any extant crocodile, giving it an alligator-like appearance. It is a more heavily armored species with enlarged scutes around the neck. Adults are dark grey or brown, while hatchlings are tan colored. IUCN status: Vulnerable.

2. The Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) or common Indian monitor, is a monitor lizard found widely distributed over the Indian Subcontinent, as well as parts of Southeast Asia and West Asia. This large lizard is mainly terrestrial, and grows to about 175 cm from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. Young monitors may be more arboreal, but adults mainly hunt on the ground, 11

preying mainly on arthropods, but also taking small terrestrial vertebrates, ground birds, eggs and fish. Although large monitors have few predators apart from humans who hunt them for meat, younger individuals are hunted by many predators. They do not possess any venom glands or delivery mechanisms but folk myths around India hold these lizards as venomous. IUCN status: Least Concern.

3. Calotes is a genus of lizards in the draconine clade of the family Agamidae. The genus contains 27 species. Some species are known as forest lizards, others as "bloodsuckers" due to their red heads, and yet others (namely C. versicolor) as garden lizards. IUCN status: Least Concern.

4. The oriental garden lizard, eastern garden lizard or changeable lizard (Calotes versicolor) is an agamid lizard found widely distributed in Asia. It has also been introduced in many other parts of the world. IUCN status: Least Concern.

Key Birds spotted and identified by explorers: 1. The grey-headed fish eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) is a fisheating bird of prey from South East Asia.

It is a large stocky raptor with adults having dark brown upper body, grey head and lighter underbelly 12

and white legs. Juveniles are paler with darker streaking. It is often confused with the lesser fish eagle (Ichthyophaga humilis) and the Pallas's fish eagle. The lesser fish eagle is similar in plumage but smaller and the Pallas’s fish eagle shares the same habitat and feeding behaviour but is larger with longer wings and darker underparts. Is often called tank eagle in Sri Lanka due to its fondness for irrigation tanks. Ichthyaetus come from the Greek terms meaning fish-eagle, ichtys-fish and aetoseagle. IUCN status: Near Threatened.

2. The woolly-necked stork, bishop stork or white-necked stork (Ciconia episcopus) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It can also be known as the episcopos or mannickjore. The woolly-necked stork is a large bird, typically 85 cm tall. It is glistening black with a black "skull cap", white neck and white lower belly. The upper parts are glossed dark green, and the breast and belly have a purple hue. It has long red legs and a heavy, blackish bill. Sexes are alike. Juvenile birds are duller versions of the adult. It is a widespread tropical species which breeds in Asia, from India to Indonesia, and also in Africa. It is a resident breeder in wetlands with trees. IUCN status: Vulnerable.

3. The changeable hawk-eagle or crested hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) is a bird of prey species of the family Accipitridae. It was formerly placed in the genus Spizaetus, but studies pointed to the group being paraphyletic resulting in the Old World members being placed in Nisaetus (Hodgson, 1836) and separated from the New World species. Changeable hawk-eagles breed in the Indian subcontinent, mainly in India and Sri Lanka, and from the southeast rim of the Himalaya across Southeast Asia to Indonesia and the Philippines. This is a bird occurring singly (outside mating season) in open woodland, although island forms prefer a higher tree density. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single egg. IUCN status: Least Concern.

4. The Indian cormorant or Indian shag (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) is a member of the cormorant family. It is found mainly along the inland waters of the Indian Subcontinent but extending west to Sind and east to Thailand and 13

Cambodia. It is a gregarious species that can be easily distinguished from the similar sized little cormorant by its blue eye, small head with a sloping forehead and a long narrow bill ending in a hooked tip. IUCN status: Least Concern.

5. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. A small bird, it has a typical length of 16 centimetres (6.3 inches) and a mass of 24–39.5 grams (0.85–1.39 ounces). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and much of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird. IUCN status: Least Concern.

6. The long-tailed shrike or rufous-backed shrike (Lanius schach) is a member of the bird family Laniidae, the shrikes. They are found widely distributed across Asia and there are variations in plumage across the range. The species ranges across much of Asia, both on the mainland and the eastern archipelagos.

The eastern or Himalayan subspecies, L. s. tricolor, is sometimes called the blackheaded shrike. Although there are considerable differences in plumage among the subspecies, they all have a long and narrow black tail, have a black mask and forehead, rufous rump and flanks and a small white patch on the shoulder. It is considered to form a superspecies with the greybacked shrike (Lanius tephronotus) which breeds on the Tibetan Plateau.

IUCN status: Least Concern.

7. The oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but now considered an Old World flycatcher.

They are distinctive black and white birds with a long tail that is held upright as they forage on the ground or perch 14

conspicuously. Occurring across most of the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, they are common birds in urban gardens as well as forests. They are particularly well known for their songs and were once popular as cagebirds. The oriental magpie-robin is considered the national bird of Bangladesh. IUCN status: Least Concern.

8. The Indian robin (Copsychus fulicatus) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is widespread in the Indian subcontinent, and ranges across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The males of northern populations have a brown back whose extent gradually reduces southwards with populations in the southern peninsula having an all-black back.

They are commonly found in open scrub areas and often seen running along the ground or perching on low thorny shrubs and rocks. Their long tails are held erect and their chestnut undertail covert and dark body makes them easily distinguishable from the pied bushchat and the oriental magpie robin.

IUCN status: Least Concern.

9. The white-eyed buzzard (Butastur teesa) is a medium sized hawk, distinct from the true buzzards in the genus Buteo, found in South Asia. Adults have a rufous tail, a distinctive white iris, and a white throat bearing a dark mesial stripe bordered. The head is brown and the median coverts of the upper wing are pale.

They lack the typical carpal patches on the underside of the wings seen in true buzzards but the entire wing lining appears dark in contrast to the flight feathers. They sit upright on perches for prolonged periods and soar on thermals in search of insect and small vertebrate prey. They are vociferous in the breeding season and several birds may be heard calling as they soar together. IUCN status: Least Concern.

10. The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Its black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish makes it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast while females have a single gorget that is often broken in the middle. They are usually found in pairs or small family parties. When perched, they often bob their head and flick up their tail.

IUCN status: Least Concern.

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11. The painted spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata) is a bird of the pheasant family found in rocky hill and scrub forests mainly in peninsular India. Males are more brightly coloured and spotted boldly in white. Males have two to four spurs while females can have one or two of the spurs on their tarsus. The species is found mainly in rocky and scrub forest habitats unlike the red spurfowl. They are found in the undergrowth in pairs or small groups, escaping by running and rarely taking to the wing when flushed. IUCN status: Least Concern.

12. The Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) is a common hornbill found on the Indian subcontinent. It is mostly arboreal and is commonly sighted in pairs. It has grey feathers all over the body with a light grey or dull white belly. The horn is black or dark grey with a casque extending to the point of curvature of the horn. It is one of the few hornbill species found in urban areas in many cities where they are able to make use of large trees in avenues. IUCN status: Least Concern.

13. The Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis), is a member of the roller family of birds. They are found widely across tropical Asia stretching from Iraq eastward across the Indian Subcontinent to Indochina and are best known for the aerobatic displays of the male during the breeding season.

They are very commonly seen perched along roadside trees and wires and are commonly seen in open grassland and scrub forest habitats. It is not migratory, but undertakes some seasonal movements. The largest populations of the species are within India, and Several states in India have chosen it as their state bird. IUCN status: Least Concern.

14. The ashy-crowned sparrow-lark (Eremopterix griseus) also known as the ashy-crowned finch-lark or blackbellied finch-lark is a small sparrowsized member of the lark family. It is 16

found in the plains in open land with bare ground, grass and scrub across South Asia. The males are well marked with a contrasting black-and-white face pattern, while females are sandy brown, looking similar to a female sparrow. Males are easily detected during the breeding season by the long descending whistle that accompanies their undulating and divebombing flight displays. IUCN status: Least Concern.

15. The greater racket-tailed drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) is a medium-sized Asian bird which is distinctive in having elongated outer tail feathers with webbing restricted to the tips. They are placed along with other drongos in the family Dicruridae.

They are conspicuous in the forest habitats often perching in the open and by attracting attention with a wide range of loud calls that include perfect imitations of many other birds. It has been suggested that these imitations may help in the formation of mixed-species foraging flocks, a feature seen in forest bird communities where many insect feeders forage together. These drongos will sometimes steal insect prey caught or disturbed by other foragers in the flock. They are diurnal but are active well before dawn and late at dusk.

Owing to their widespread distribution and distinctive regional variation, they have become iconic examples of speciation by isolation and genetic drift. IUCN status: Least Concern.

16. The white-naped woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus) is a woodpecker which is a widespread but scarce breeder in the Indian Subcontinent. This flameback is a species associated with open forest and scrub with some trees. It nests in a tree hole, laying one or two white eggs.

Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can dart forward to capture insects.

The white-naped woodpecker is a large species at 29 cm in length. It is a typical woodpecker shape. The white hind neck extends down the back, and the black shoulder patches also continue onto the back to form a Vshape bordering the white. The rest of the upperparts and wings are golden yellow. The rump and tail are black, and the underparts are white with dark chevron markings. The head is whitish with a dark moustache stripe and a black eye patch that extends down the neck sides. The adult male white-naped woodpecker has a red crown and females have a 17

yellow crown. Young birds are colored like the female, but duller. IUCN status: Least Concern.

17. The Indian golden oriole (Oriolus kundoo) is a species of oriole found in the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. The species was once considered to be a subspecies of the Eurasian golden oriole, but has been elevated to a full species on the basis of differences in morphology, plumage, calls and the fact that the two do not intergrade. Adults can be told apart from the Eurasian golden oriole by the black of the eye stripe extending behind the eye. The Indian golden oriole is a partial migrant. It breeds in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Nepal, as well as much of India. The Indian populations are largely resident while other populations are migratory. IUCN status: Least Concern.

18. The jungle babbler (Turdoides striata) is a member of the Leiothrichidae family found in the Indian subcontinent. They are gregarious birds that forage in small groups of six to ten birds, a habit that has given them the popular name of Seven Sisters or Saath bhai in Bengali with cognates in other regional languages which means "seven brothers". The jungle babbler is a common resident breeding bird in most parts of the Indian subcontinent and is often seen in gardens within large cities as well as in forested areas. In the past, the orange-billed babbler, Turdoides rufescens, of Sri Lanka was considered to be a race of this babbler, but is elevated to a species. IUCN status: Least Concern.

19. The Crested honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers.

This species is also known as the Oriental honey buzzard. IUCN status: Least Concern.

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20. The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in forested habitats across tropical Asia. Within its widespread range across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and East Asia, there are considerable variations and some authorities prefer to treat several of its subspecies as completely separate species. In the past, several species including the Philippine serpent eagle (S. holospila), Andaman serpent eagle (S. elgini) and South Nicobar serpent eagle (S. klossi) were treated as subspecies of the Crested serpent eagle. All members within the species complex have a large looking head with long feathers on the back of the head giving them a maned and crested appearance. The face is bare and yellow joining up with the ceres while the powerful feet are unfeathered and heavily scaled.

They fly over the forest canopy on broad wings and tail has wide white and black bars. They call often with a loud, piercing and familiar three or two-note call.

They often feed on snakes, giving them their name and are placed along with the Circaetus snake-eagles in the subfamily Circaetinae. IUCN status: Least Concern.

21. The rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) is a treepie, native to the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining parts of Southeast Asia. It is a member of the crow family, Corvidae. It is long tailed and has loud musical calls making it very conspicuous.

It is found commonly in open scrub, agricultural areas, forests as well as urban gardens. Like other corvids it is very adaptable, omnivorous and opportunistic in feeding. In Bengali and some other Indian languages it is called "Harichacha" (হাঁিড়চাচা), after the unpleasant sound it produces. IUCN status: Least Concern.

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22. The black-winged stilt, common stilt, or pied stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family (Recurvirostridae).

Opinions differ as to whether the birds treated under the scientific name H. himantopus ought to be treated as a single species and if not, how many species to recognize. The scientific name Himantopus comes from the Greek meaning "strap foot" or "thong foot". Most sources today accept 2– 4 species.IUCN status: Least Concern.

23. The white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) is an Old World vulture closely related to the European griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus). At one time it was believed to be closer to the whitebacked vulture of Africa and was known as the Oriental whitebacked vulture. The species was present in large numbers, in Southern and Southeastern Asia until the 1990s and declined rapidly in numbers since; up to 99.9% between 1992 and 2007. In 1985 the species was described as "possibly the most abundant large bird of prey in the world" and often considered a nuisance but is now rare. This is the smallest of the Gyps vultures, but is still a very large bird. It weighs 3.5-7.5 kg (7.7-16.5 lbs), measures 75–93 cm (30–37 in) in length, and has a wingspan of 1.92–2.6 m (6.3–8.5 ft).

Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring high in thermals and spotting other scavengers. It often moves in flocks. At one time, it was the most numerous of the vultures in India. IUCN status: Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1).

24. A parakeet is any one of a large number of small to medium-sized species of parrot, in multiple genera, that generally have long tail feathers. Older spellings still sometimes encountered are paroquet or paraquet. The roseringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as the ring-necked parakeet, is a 20

gregarious tropical Afro-Asian parakeet species that has an extremely large range. The rose-ringed parakeet is sexually dimorphic. The adult male sports a red or black neck ring and the hen and immature birds of both sexes either show no neck rings, or display shadow-like pale to dark grey neck rings. Both sexes have a distinctive green colour. Rose-ringed parakeets measure on average 40 cm (16 in) in length, including the tail feathers, a large portion of their total length. Their average single-wing length is about 15–17.5 cm (5.9–6.9 in). In the wild, this is a noisy species with an unmistakable squawking call. It is herbivorous and not migratory.

One of the few parrot species that have successfully adapted to living in disturbed habitats, it has withstood the onslaught of urbanisation and deforestation. As a popular pet species, escaped birds have colonised a number of cities around the world. Since the population appears to be increasing, the species was evaluated as being of least concern by the IUCN in 2012, but its popularity as a pet and unpopularity with farmers have both reduced its numbers in some parts of its native range. IUCN status: Least Concern.

25. The Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is an Old World vulture and is closely related to the griffon vulture, G. fulvus. It breeds mainly on hilly crags in central and peninsular India.

The birds in the northern part of its range once considered a subspecies are now treated as a separate species, the slender-billed vulture Gyps tenuirostris. These were lumped together under the name long-billed vulture. The long-billed vulture is a typical vulture, with a bald head, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It is smaller and less heavily built than the Eurasian Griffon, usually weighing between 5.5 and 6.3 kg (12–13.9 lbs) and measuring 80–103 cm (31–41 in) long and 1.96 to 2.38 m (6.4 to 7.8 ft) across the wings. It is distinguished from that species by its less buff body and wing coverts. It also lacks the whitish median covert bar shown by Griffon. IUCN status: Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1).

26. The jungle owlet, or barred jungle owlet, (Glaucidium radiatum) is found in the Indian Subcontinent. The species is often found singly, in pairs or small groups and are usually detected by their calls at dawn and dusk. There are two subspecies with the form found in the Western Ghats sometimes considered a full species. This small owlet has a rounded head and is finely barred all over. There is no clear 21

facial disk and the wings are brownish and the tail is narrowly barred in white. There are two subspecies, the nominate form is found in the plains of India and Sri Lanka while malabaricum of the Western Ghats is shorter tailed and shows more brown on the head. It has been suggested that this may warrant full species status. IUCN status: Least Concern.

Key Mammals spotted and identified by explorers

1.

The Indian giant squirrel, or Malabar giant squirrel, (Ratufa indica) is a large tree squirrel species genus Ratufa native to India. It is a largebodied diurnal, arboreal, and herbivorous squirrel found in South Asia. It is called ज༇क 'Shekru' in Marathi and is state animal of Maharashtra. R. indica has a conspicuous two-toned (and sometimes three-toned) color scheme.

The colors involved can be creamybeige, buff, tan, rust, brown, or even a dark seal brown. The underparts and the front legs are usually cream colored, the head can be brown or beige, however there is a distinctive white spot between the ears.

Adult head and body length varies around 14 inches (36 cm) and the tail length is approximately 2 ft (0.61 m). Adult weight - 2 kg (4.41 lb).

IUCN status: Least Concern.

2. The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), also known as the labiated bear, is a nocturnal insectivorous bear species found wild within the Indian Subcontinent.

The sloth bear evolved from ancestral brown bears during the Pleistocene and shares features found in insect-eating mammals through convergent evolution. The population isolated in Sri Lanka is considered a subspecies. Unlike brown and black bears, sloth bears have lankier builds, long, shaggy coats that form a mane around the face, long, sickle-shaped claws, and a specially adapted lower lip and palate used for sucking insects.

Sloth bears breed during spring and early summer and give birth near the beginning of winter. They feed on termites, honeybee colonies, and fruits. Sloth bears sometimes attack humans who encroach on their territories. Historically, humans have drastically reduced their habitat and diminished their population by hunting them for food and products such as their bacula and claws. These bears have been used as performing pets due to their tameable nature. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss and poaching.

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3. Muntjacs, also known as barking deer and Mastreani deer, are small deer of the genus Muntiacus.

Muntjacs are the oldest known deer, thought to have begun appearing 15–35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France, Germany and Poland. The present-day species are native to South Asia and can be found in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Indonesian islands, Taiwan and Southern China. They are also found in the lower Himalayas (Terai regions of Nepal and Bhutan) and in some areas of Japan (the Boso Peninsula and ĹŒshima Island). The Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), also called red muntjac and barking deer, is a common muntjac deer species in Southeast Asia. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

4. The barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii syn. Cervus duvaucelii), also called swamp deer, is a deer species distributed in the Indian subcontinent.

Populations in northern and central India are fragmented, and two isolated populations occur in southwestern Nepal. It is extinct in Pakistan and in Bangladesh. The specific name commemorates the French naturalist Alfred Duvaucel. The swamp deer differs from all the Indian deer species in that the antlers carry more than three tines.

Because of this distinctive character it is designated barasingha, meaning "twelve-tined." Mature stags have 10 to 14 tines, and some have been known to have up to 20. In Assamese, barasingha is called dolhorina; dol meaning swamp. In central India, it is called goinjak (stags) or gaoni (hinds). In the 19th century, swamp deer ranged along the base of the Himalayas from Upper Assam to the west of the Jumna River, throughout Assam, in a few places in the Indo-Gangetic plain from the Eastern Sundarbans to 23

Upper Sind, and locally throughout the area between the Ganges and Godavari as far east as Mandla. Swamp deer was also common in parts of the Upper Nerbudda valley and to the south in Bastar. They frequent flat or undulating grasslands and generally keep in the outskirts of forests. Sometimes, they are also found in open forest. In the 1960s, the total population was estimated at 1600 to less than 2150 individuals in India and about 1600 in Nepal. Today, the distribution is much reduced and fragmented due to major losses in the 1930s–1960s following unregulated hunting and conversion of large tracts of grassland to cropland. Swamp deer occur in the Kanha National Park of Madhya Pradesh, in 2 localities in Assam, and in only 6 localities in Uttar Pradesh. They are regionally extinct in West Bengal. They are also probably extinct in Arunachal Pradesh. A few survive in Assam's Kaziranga and Manas National Parks. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss and poaching.

5. The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a canid native to Central, South and Southeast Asia. Other English names for the species include Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red wolf (not to be confused with Canis rufus), red dog, and mountain wolf.

It is genetically close to species within the genus Canis, though its skull is convex rather than concave in profile, it lacks a third lower molar, and the upper molars sport only a single cusp as opposed to 2–4.

During the Pleistocene, the dhole ranged throughout Asia, Europe and North America, but became restricted to its historical range 12,000–18,000 years ago. The dhole is a highly social animal, living in large clans without rigid dominance hierarchies and containing multiple breeding females. Such clans usually consist of 12 individuals, but groups of over 40 are known. It is a diurnal pack hunter which preferentially targets medium and large sized ungulates. In tropical forests, the dhole competes with tigers and leopards, targeting somewhat different prey species, but still with substantial dietary overlap. It is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, as populations are decreasing and estimated at fewer than 2,500 adults. Factors contributing to this decline include habitat loss, loss of prey, and competition with other species, persecution, and disease transfer from domestic dogs. \

6. The leopard (Panthera pardus) (English pronunciation: /ˈlɛpərd/) is one of the five "big cats" in the genus Panthera. It is a member of the 24

family Felidae with a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. Fossil records found in Italy suggest that in the Pleistocene it ranged as far as Europe and Japan. Compared to other members of Felidae, the leopard has relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull. It is similar in appearance to the jaguar, but is smaller and more lightly built.

Its fur is marked with rosettes similar to those of the jaguar, but the leopard's rosettes are smaller and more densely packed, and do not usually have central spots as the jaguar's do.

Both leopards and jaguars that are melanistic are known as black panthers. The leopard's success in the wild is due to its well camouflaged fur; its opportunistic hunting behaviour, broad diet, and strength to move heavy carcasses into trees; its ability to adapt to various habitats ranging from rainforest to steppe and including arid and montane areas; and to run at speeds up to 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph). The species is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. 7. The Indian hare (Lepus nigricollis), also known as the black-naped hare, is a common species of hare found in the Indian Subcontinent and in Java. Introduced to Madagascar, Comoro Islands, Andaman Islands, Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Mayotte, Mauritius and RĂŠunion. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

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Chapter Four: Vegetation pattern of “Tigers’ Terrain” Central India’s jungles are classified as tropical broadleaf dry deciduous forest, shading into tropical broadleaf moist deciduous forest in the more rainy belt to the south and south-east, and as tropical thorn forest as you go west and north-west where the climate become drier.

Bio-diversity of Satpura national park is stunning with over 1300 species of plants.

Flora of national park includes teak, sal, tendu, mahua (Indian butter-tree), bel (stoneapple), bamboos, grasses, bushes, unchecked grown lantanas and other many medicinal plants whose details are not available now. It is said that in majority of jungle we can judge that sal is the prominent flora of National Park.

Pench Tiger Reserve belongs to the Indo-Malayan phytogeographical region.

Ecologically, Pench is categorized as a tropical moist deciduous (TMD) tiger habitat.

Floristically, the Tiger Reserve can be classified, according to Champion and Seth (1968) as:

• • • • •

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests: Type 3B/C1c Slightly moist teak forests Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests: Type 5A/C1b Dry teak forests Type 5A/C3 Southern dry mixed deciduous forests

Teak is a ubiquitous species in the region, with a presence ranging from a sporadic distribution in most parts of the study area to localized teak-dominated patches. Teak (Tectona grandis), and associated species such as Madhuca indica, Diospyros melanoxylon, Terminalia tomentosa, Buchanania lanzan, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Ougeinia dalbergoides, Miliusa velutina and Lannea coromandalica, occur on flat terrain. The undulating terrain and hill slopes have patches of Mixed Forest dominated

by Boswellia serrata and Anogeissus latifolia. Species like Sterculia urens and Gardenia latifolia are found scattered on rocky slopes. Bamboo forests occur in the hill slopes and along streams. Some of the open patches of the Park are covered with tall grasses interspersed with Butea monosperma and Zizyphus mauritiana. Evergreen tree species like Terminalia arjuna, Syzygium cumini and Ixora parviflora are found in 26

riparian vegetation along nullahs and river banks.

Cleistanthus collinus dominant patches are also found in some parts of the Tiger Reserve.

The tracts that previously formed pastures of villages (subsequently relocated outside the National Park limits) now constitute open grassy meadows much favoured by the gregarious herbivores. With the approach of summer, the extent of open areas of the Reserve gradually increases with the recession of reservoir’s waters.

Kanha National Park is the only woodland in the country that brings so much of vividness in nature and is amazingly a home to over 200 species of flowering plants. It is a low land forest that brings a mixture of Sal (Shorea robusta) and other mixed forest trees, mingled with meadows. The moderate and favorable climate and varied topography supports the growth of a rich and varied flora in the Park. Over 70 species of trees are found in Kanha.

Truly considered as the Kipling's world that powered him with such magnificent imaginations, Kanha Tiger Reserve has numerous vegetative attractions around the vicinity for a perfect habitat for the jungle beings.

The highland forests of Kanha are tropical moist dry deciduous type and bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) on slopes can be discovered with differently. The most popular Indian Ghost Tree (Kullu) can also be witnessed in the deciduous area.

• • • •

The types of forest area found in the Kanha Tiger Reserve are: Moist Peninsular Sal Forests (3 C/C2) Southern Tropical Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (3 A/C 2a) Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forest (5 A/C-3)

The major floras discovered in Kanha Reserve: Sal, Saja, Lendia, Dhawa, Tendu, Palas, Bija, Mahua, Aonla, Achar and Bamboo.

Besides, there are many species of climbers, forbs and grass can also be found here.

There are many species of grass witnessed at Kanha for the survival of the featured species of Barasingha(Cervus duvauceli branderi) in the reserve. Along with that some aquatic plants in numerous "tal" (lakes) are life line for migratory and wetland species of birds. For the preservation of the floras, some eco-development processes 27

are being organized for the buffer zone of the Kanha Reserve under the MP Forestry Project. These activities are undertaken by some eco-development committees including 106 EDCs in the buffer and 25 in the core zone along with the Reserve Management.

The peripheral villages are also becoming the advantageous parts of it and the ecodevelopment components are: • Protection, regeneration and enhancing the productivity of the resources under the forest zones arranging for fodder, fuel wood, timber and MFP by accessing security to the villagers while assembling for the resources. • Promoting the activities related to the use of non-forest resources to generate incomes. • Taking initiatives to break the barriers between the forest and other related sectors.

Termite Tower:

Termite mounds, important for ecological balance of the jungle, are also found in plenty in Pench and Kanha. Termites move a fourth of a metric ton of dirt to build mounds that can reach 17 feet (5 meters) and higher. A single termite can be barely bigger than the moon of a fingernail, its semi-transparent exoskeleton as vulnerable to sunlight as to being crushed by a child in flip-flops. But in groups of a million or two, termites are formidable architects, building mounds that can reach 17 feet (5 meters) and higher. The 33 pounds (15 kilograms) or so of termites in a typical mound will, in an average year, move a fourth of a metric ton (about 550 pounds) of soil and several tons of water. The below-ground mounds of Odontotermes termites strongly influence forest productivity via ordered spatial distribution and modification of soil composition.

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Chapter Five: …….Still in the Shadow of the Tiger After “Hiking in Highlands”, the “Tigers’ Terrain” was explorers’ much calculated and thought about exploration, specifically designed for spotting Bengal Tigers in wild. The exploration started with lots of speculations as well as expectations at 3:30 PM from Kariya zone of Satpura Tiger Reserve, on 8th May, 2016.

As expectation was high, level of superstitions in explorers’ mind was also never less than that. Therefore, superstitious Arnab asked forest guide at Madhai gate of Satpura Tiger Reserve, “Are Dholes (Indian Wild Dogs) visible in the forest?” – The superstition was - a negative answer to this question, might increase possibility of big cat sighting though not necessarily it has always worked. The animal is anyway endangered and sighting is generally rare, unlike their African counterpart.

Anyway, a negative answer, increased hope as well as heart bit. After two and half hours exploration, and spotting usual herds of Sambar, Nilgais, Nothern plain Langoor, and Rhesus Macaque when explorers started their journey towards exit of forest, driver Deepak had to stop his gypsy. Guide Harilal whispered “Leopards”.

On the left hand side of the movement of gypsy, in thick bushes something was moving.

After few seconds a round head with black spots on yellow fur was noticed, and then another and then another. Three heads of three leopards – nicely camouflaged in the bushes.

They wanted to cross the road but stopped after seeing three gypsies, the shy animals were hesitant to reveal themselves.

After a minute or so, one came out and cautiously crossed the road. It was a cub. Then other two followed the previous one. All three of them were cubs. Where was the mother then, had she left her cubs alone? That was unusual.

Harilal, said that the mother was not sighted for last couple of days, and she was extremely shy.

In the first exploration of the series itself, big cat was sighted. A happy bunch of explorers returned base camp with imagination of a great and fruitful series ahead.

In that same day, other significant observations were Indian lizard monitor, soft shelled turtle, Rufus tree pie, nests and nestlings of woolly necked stork, crested hawk eagle and crested serpent eagle.

The second and last exploration of Satpura were significant because of spotting sloth bear – two cubs, and one adult male and female – playing in bushes – that was an ideal start of the day for the explorers. Other significant observations were burking deer, marsh crocodile, long tale shrike, pied kingfisher, oriental honey buzzard, purple sun bird, ashy crowned sparrow lark and Scops owl. While exiting the forest, an adult male sloth bear was found climbing tree, searching for honey.

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Explorers reached at Pench with huge expectation; there was series of tiger sighting news. Especially Pench’s famous tigress “Collarwali” and her four cubs were apparently getting sighted almost every day. However, after reaching there, atmosphere of Pench was found a bit gloomy. The death of tigress “Baghin nala” and her three cubs was a huge reason of heartbreak among locals, especially among forest guides, safari drivers and resorts owners. They know, there are tigers in forest and that’s why they have job to do. No tigers means, no work for them.

On 28th March 2016, various tourists entering through the Touria Gate of the Pench Tiger Reserve noticed the darling Tigress and a mother of 4 young cubs lying at a distance from the road. She was in her territory and guests were thrilled to click a sleeping tigress from such a close distance. The excitement turned to shock when during the exit hours few drivers of the tourist vehicles realized that she was lying in the exact position as before and was highly unusual.

The kids who always accompanied her were not around and a stranger was captured on a phone-cam on FOOT (it is illegal for outsiders to get off their vehicles once inside the core area, and loitering is prohibited) clicking the tigress from a dangerously close distance. The authorities were immediately informed by the concerned witnesses as they feared (rightly so) that the tigress was dead. Soon it was confirmed that the dead tigress was indeed T-17 a.k.a The Baghin-Nala Female, daughter of legendary ‘Badi Mada’ who was the subject of the BBC Documentary titled Spy in the Jungle, and sister of the illustrious T-15 commonly known as ‘Collarwali’. It was past tourist hours and the park gates were shut. In the hours that followed, decaying bodies of 2 of the cubs were also discovered. On 29th of March 2016 various dead bodies of Spotted Deer and other birds were discovered thus confirming poisoning of one of the water sources inside the park. The assumption of poisoning was bolstered when one of the water bodies that existed close to where the tigress had died was immediately filled and an identical water body was dug up at a little distance.

With this background story, explorers started their 3rd (1st in Pench) safari at 5:45 AM of 10th May, 2016. The usual question of Dhole sighting was asked, however with great surprise and little disappointment, the answer was positive from guide Sunil. In four and half hours of safari, the significant observations were spotted deer, wild boar, and golden jackal female and of course pack of Indian wild dog – playing and drinking water near a shallow water body. Important bird species were black hooded oriole, bush lark, Indian grey horn bill, white-eyed buzzard and critically endangered white rumped vulture, and long billed vulture.

The second safari at Pench (and 4th of the series) started at 4:00 PM, and driver Shera and guide Vinod were quite confident about spotting “Collarwali”.

Vinod was a trained guide with certification from prestigious Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. With lot of enthusiasm, exploration of the day started and an immediate set back, marked by heavy down pour, lasted for an hour between 4:30 to 5:30 PM. All hopes got washed away; rain cooled down the forest and minimized possibility of big cats coming out of dense forest to quench thirst. However, intermittent warning calls of langoors, sambar and spotted deer were heard throughout whole safari from different corners of the forest, confirming movement of big cats within dense forest. Although some of the calls were suspected 30

false calls by male spotted deers. Male spotted deers sometimes make false call to make female spotted deers scared, so that they come closer to them out of fear and to seek protection. Male spotted deers take that as an advantage for mating. Quite an opportunist lover.

However, serious and strong warning calls were heard at around 5:45 PM, there were combined calls of peacock, jackal, burking deer and red jungle fowl. Everybody was sure, that calls were for nothing but Bengal Tigers and movement was not beyond 200 meters from the explorers’ location. Vinod said, “You may not like to trust spotted deers, but sambar and jackal never gives false call.”

Despite of strong call, nothing came out of dense forest; an hour of waiting didn’t yield anything, but a black napped hare, fruit bats and juvenile crested serpent eagle, which just finished eating of its kill – an adult peafowl. 1st day’s safari at Pench ended there.

Last safari of Pench and 5th of the series was significant for hearing intense warning call of langoors at 7:00 AM and spotting pug marks of big cat. However, the pug marks didn’t look fresh and both driver Shera and explorer Dwaipayan suspected those as Leopard’s pug mark. There was rumor in the forest, that a male tiger was spotted somewhere near route number one. But explorers could not find any evidences of that.

The last segment of the series started at Kanha at 5:45 AM of next day (12th May, 2016). Third explorer Rajan could not join the team, because of some technical glitch. Guide Shamim first heard a mild warning call of sambar near crossing point of Kanha and Kisli zone of the tiger reserve. The zone was known as hide-out of famous tiger “Munna”. Around 6:20 AM, severe warning calls of Northern Plain Langoor and spotted deers were heard in that area. Dwaipayan admitted, that was the strongest warning call, he had ever heard in any exploration in forest. Several spotted deers were found running away towards opposite direction from where the call was coming. However, waiting of an hour or so wasn’t enough to get Munna out of his hide-out. There was news form other side of the forest that, another male and female tigers were spotted near Kanha zone.

Explorers reached there and at around 5-6 km away from Kisli zone, they found fresh pug mark and mark of siting on soil of an adult male tiger.

Around, 10:30 AM they started retreating from forest, Driver Raju was telling stories of Munna, wo was most respected tiger of Kanha and more famous for being only male tiger who didn’t kill his cubs, in recent history of Kanha.

The significant observations, for the day was Swamp deer, King Vulture, Sircar Malkoha, Jungle Owlet etc.

The other three safaris in Kanha were very quiet. Forest was lush and cool, with sight of happily grazing herbivores and colorful birds.

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In last safari, while returning, explorers spotted fresh tiger’s scat confirming recent movement of the big cat……but for the explorers…..still in the shadow of tiger!!

End of Story: The exploration of Tiger’s Terrain ended there. As always forest never disappointed explorers. They enjoyed the biodiversity of dry deciduous forest of Satpura, beauty of rain washed Pench and lush green, moist deciduous forest of Kanha.

The whole series would be memorable for witnessing parenthood and love in wild ….news of movement of Bengal tigers with young cubs; sighting of cutest leopard, golden jackal, wild boar and sloth bear cubs, protected by their mothers; desperate mating calls of pea fowls, Indian quails, spotted deers and sambars; sight of courtships of langoors, wild dogs; mating dance with display of tail feather by pea fowl, cubs clutching mother langoors; calffeeding mother spotted deers and rare sighting of nesting of wooly necked stork, crested serpent eagle and crested hawk eagle.

The summer in forest is truly the time for romance and nurturing the hope for future.

Explorers tried capturing all their experience in this report to promote the biodiversity culture and awareness among common people; the explorers of Exploring Nature have been doing this and will always do so.

Till the next exploration, adieus!

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Annexure One: The Explorer’s Profile

Dwaipayan Ghosh, Founder Member of Exploring Nature • Born in Kolkata on 27th September, 1978 and currently based out of Hyderabad.

• An Electrical Engineer by profession and holds B. Tech in Electrical Engineering from 2004 batch of University of Kalyani.

• Has been working for Construction, Renovation & Modernisation of EHV Electrical SubStations; Erection, Testing and Commissioning of Power Transformers and Equipment (Like Transformer, Circuit Breaker, Current Transformer, Potential Transformer, Isolator, Control & Relay Panels etc.) for last twelve years.

• Worked for ALSTOM T&D India Limited (Systems Business); Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. (Electrical Contract Division); and Utility Powertech Ltd. (A Joint Venture Of Reliance Energy Ltd. & NTPC) etc. Currently working as Manager – Execution in Genus Power Infrastructure Limited (ECC Division).

• Holds Certificates in Nature and Wildlife from Wildlife Campus, South Africa on Digital Wildlife Photography; Anti-Poaching; Birding by Habitat; Animals Tracks & Signs; Trails Guiding; and Snakes & Reptiles of Lowveld.

• Participated in about 20 biodiversity expeditions, which include Tiger Reserves of Satpura, Pench and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh); Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka); Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka); Bandipur National Park (Karnataka); Eravikulam National Park (Kerala) and Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala); Kaziranga National Park (Assam); Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam); Clouded Leopard National Park/Sipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary (Tripura); Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary (Tripura); Bandhabgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh); Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra); Sundarban Tiger Reserve (West Bengal); Gorumara National Park (West Bengal); Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary (West Bengal); Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary (West Bengal); Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh); Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park (Telangana) – for Butterfly Photography; Gir National Park (Gujrat); Wild Ass Sanctuary (Gujrat); and Urban and SubUrban Bird Photography in West Bengal, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh etc.

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Arnab Basu, Member of Exploring Nature

•

• •

•

• •

• Born in Kolkata on 17th June, 1978 and currently based out of Bengaluru.

• An Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Consultant by profession and holds B.Sc with major in Botany and Zoology from 2000 batch of University of Calcutta; MBA in Environment Management from 2004 batch of Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM), Kolkata; Diploma in Chemical Engineering and Industrial Safety.

Has about 12 years of experience in overall management and supervision of Sustainability, Safety Transformation, Industrial and Construction Environment, Occupational Health & Safety and Quality Systems; compliance assessment, assurance, verification and evaluation of EHS legal requirements and Corporate EHS management system; implementation, evaluation and assurance of Corporate Sustainability Reporting and GHG accounting; training and consultancy for Quality, Health, Safety, Social Accountability and Environmental Management Systems.

Worked with National and multinational EHS consultancy farm like EQMS, Deloitte etc, currently working as Principal Consultant in ERM. Has provided consultancy services to a number of major national and multinational companies including TATA Steel, Shell, Chevron, GAIL, GSK, Reckitt Benckiser, Boehringer, PEPSI, Raymond, US Pharmacopeia, Morgan Crucibles, NALCO, Unilever, British Petroleum, Becton Dickinson, and Vedanta.

Participated in about 11 biodiversity expeditions, which include Tiger Reserves of Satpura, Pench and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh); Kruger National Park in South Africa, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka); Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka); Bandipur National Park (Karnataka); Eravikulam National Park (Kerala) and Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala); Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam); Gir National Park (Gujrat); Wild Ass Sanctuary (Gujrat); and Biodiversity study of Ghatshila and Jhargram (West Bengal), Araku Valley and Vizag Port (Andhra Pradesh), Forest of Bankura and Midnapore (West Bengal) etc.

Conducted assessment of urban and sub urban biodiversity at Kolkata, Salt Lake Wetland, South Bengal (West Bengal).

Conducted Study on Joint Forest Management and Wild Life in South West Bengal under the supervision of Department of Forest, Govt. of West Bengal and under the joint guidance of Environment Management department of IISWBM and National Afforestation and Eco-development Board, Govt. of India.

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Rajan Dey, Member of Exploring Nature

•

• • •

• Born in Kolkata on 7th of January, 1979 and currently based out of Bangalore.

• An Electrical & Electronics Engineer

by Degree, a Software Project Manager by profession • Currently working as a Delivery Manager with an MNC in Bangalore Has been working in software industry for over 13 years at various geographic locations like Australia, North America, Canada, UK, Europe and India in various roles.

ISTQB and various others NCFM certified professional with wide exposure and experience in entire SDLC & STLC. An enthusiast in wildlife photography, digital photography and landscape photography.

Participated in expedition in Tiger Reserves of Satpura, Pench and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh); Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka); Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka); Bandipur National Park (Karnataka) and Wayanad (Kerala).

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Annexure Two: The Journey Itinerary Day One (Sunday, 8th May): • 0930 Hours: Started from Maharana Pratap Nagar, Habibgunj, MP • 1300 Hours: Reached at Madhai River Lodge, Satpura Tiger reserve, Madhai zone • 1400 Hours to 1500 Hours: Lunch • 1530 Hours to 1830 Hours: Afternoon Safari • 2100 Hours to 2200 Hours: Dinner • 2200 Hours to 2300 Hours: Data logging, species profiling, photo processing Day Two (Monday, 9th May): • 0545 to 0915 Hours: Morning Safari • 0930 Hours: Breakfast • 1130 Hours: Started from Madhai to Pench • 1830 Hours: Reached at Tiger N Woods resort of Pench • 1900 to 2100 Hours: Species Profiling, Data logging for the day, photo processing • 2100 Hours: Dinner Day Three (Tuesday, 10th May): • 0545 Hours to 1015 Hours: Morning Safari • 1100 Hours: Breakfast • 1200 to 1300 Hours: Species Profiling, Data logging for the day, photo processing • 1300 Hours: Lunch • 1600 to 1830 Hours: Afternoon Safari • 1900 to 2000 Hours: Species Profiling, Data logging for the day, photo processing, book keeping • 2100 Hours: Dinner Day Four (Wednesday, 11th May): • 0545 Hours to 1015 Hours: Morning Safari • 1100 Hours: Breakfast • 1215 Hours: Started from Pench to Kanha • 1600 Hours: Reached at Mogli Resort of Kanha • 1900 to 2000 Hours: Species Profiling, Data logging for the day, photo processing, book keeping • 2100 Hours: Dinner Day Five (Thursday, 12th May): • 0545 Hours to 1030 Hours: Morning Safari • 1100 Hours: Breakfast • 1200 to 1300 Hours: Species Profiling, Data logging for the day, photo processing • 1300 Hours: Lunch • 1600 to 1830 Hours: Afternoon Safari

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1900 to 2000 Hours: Species Profiling, Data logging for the day, photo processing, book keeping 2100 Hours: Dinner

• •

Day Six (Friday, 13th May): • 0545 Hours to 1030 Hours: Morning Safari • 1100 Hours: Breakfast • 1200 to 1300 Hours: Species Profiling, Data logging for the day, photo processing • 1300 Hours: Lunch • 1600 to 1830 Hours: Afternoon Safari • 1900 to 2000 Hours: Species Profiling, Data logging for the day, photo processing, book keeping • 2100 Hours: Dinner Day Seven (Saturday, 14th May): •

0800 Hours: Started from Kanha to Jabbalpur

37

Sl.

Annexure Three: List of Species Identified Name of Scientific Name Date and IUCN Species Location Conservation Status

1.

Indian Peacock Softshell Turtle

Nilssonia hurum

8th May, Satpura and 12th May, Kanha

Vulnerable

2.

Marsh Crocodile

Crocodylus palustris

10th May, Pench

Vulnerable

3.

Indian Monitor Lizard

8th May, Satpura and 10th May, Pench

LC

4.

Forest Calotes

10th May, Pench

LC

5.

6.

Common Lizard Little Egret

Varanus bengalensis Calotes rouxii Calotes versicolor Egretta garzetta

7.

Greater Egret

Ardea alba

8.

Lesser Cormorant

Microcarbo niger

9.

Spotted Dove

Spilopelia suratensis

10.

River Tern

Sterna aurantia

8th and 9th May, Satpura, 12th and 13th May Kanha 8th and 9th May, Satpura, 12th and 13th May Kanha 8th and 9th May, Satpura, 12th and 13th May Kanha 8th , 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th May, Satpura

Garden

Justification

Considered Endangered in Bangladesh and Near Threatened to Vulnerable in India, its main range state. Traded in East Asian markets at volumes of 60 to 80 tons per week.

A past population decline of 30% over three generations (75 years) has been inferred due to direct observations of declines in abundance, reductions in range and habitat quality and extirpation from part of the range.

These declines, due to threats such as habitat destruction and illegal poaching, are now thought to have stopped with populations generally stable or recovering. Total global population estimated at less than 8,700 nonhatchlings and overall stable and increasing although continuing decline is reported in some areas, populations are restricted between drainages, regions and countries and not in contacttherefore fragmented and no single population estimated to be more than 1,000 mature individuals.

10th May, Pench

38

LC

LC

LC

LC

Near Threatened

This species has been uplisted to Near

Sl.

Name Species

of Scientific Name

Date Location

and IUCN Conservation Status

11.

Oriental Darter

Anhinga melanogaster

8th May, Satpura, 12th may, Kanha

Near Threatened

12.

Spot billed duck

8th May, Satpura

LC

13.

Jungle Myna

Anas poecilorhyncha Acridotheres fuscus

LC

14.

Jungle Babbler

Turdoides striata

15.

Pea Fowl and Pea Hen

Pavo cristatus

16.

Red Junglefowl/Hen

Gallus gallus

17.

Greater Racket tailed Drongo Oriental Magpie Robin Wooly Necked Stork

Dicrurus paradiseus

8th , 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th , 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th , 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th , 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th May, Satpura, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th May, Satpura

20.

Grey Headed Eagle

Icthyophaga ichthyaetus

8th May, Satpura

Near Threatened

21.

Crested Hawk Eagle

Nisaetus cirrhatus

LC

22.

Crested Serpent Eagle

Spilornis cheela

23.

Indian Skimmer

Rynchops albicollis

8th May, Satpura, 11th May, Pench 8th May, Satpura, 11th May, Pench, 12th May, Kanha 8th May, Satpura

18.

19.

Fish

Copsychus saularis

Justification

Threatened on the basis that increasing human disturbance and dam construction projects are expected to drive a moderately rapid population decline over the next three generations This species is classified as Near Threatened because its population is suspected to be in moderately rapid decline owing to pollution, drainage, hunting and the collection of eggs and nestlings.

LC

LC

LC

LC LC

8th May, Satpura

39

Although widespread, this species is now only locally common and may have a moderately small population, which is thought to be undergoing a moderately rapid population reduction owing to habitat degradation, pollution and over-fishing.

LC

Vulnerable

This species is listed as Vulnerable because its population is undergoing a rapid decline as a result of widespread degradation and disturbance of lowland rivers and

Sl.

Name Species

of Scientific Name

24.

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

25.

Painted Spurfowl

Galloperdix lunulata

26.

Mottled Wood Owl

Strix ocellata

27.

Psittacula krameri

28.

Rose ringed Parakeet female Black winged Stilt

29.

Red wattled Lapwing

Himantopus himantopus Vanellus indicus

30.

Green bee-eater

Merops orientalis

31.

Indian Roller

32.

Rufous Tree-pie

Coracias benghalensis Dendrocitta vagabunda

33.

35.

White breasted Kingfisher Asian open-billed stork Brahminy Sterling

36.

Black drongo

Dicrurus macrocercus

37.

Long tailed shrike

Lanius schach

Date Location

and IUCN Conservation Status

Justification

lakes.

34.

38.

39.

Flame pecker Stork fisher

back

wood

billed

king

40.

Pied King fisher

41.

44.

Oriental Honey Buzzard Indian Paradise Flycatcher – White and Rufus Male and Female House Sparrow – male and female Scops Owl

45.

Paddyfield Pipit

46.

Purple Sunbird

47.

Indian Robin Male

48.

Ashy Crowned sparrow lark Bush Lark

42.

43.

LC

8th May, Satpura

LC

8th , 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th May, Satpura, 10th May, Pench, 12th May, Kanha 8th May, Satpura, 12th and 13th May, Kanha

LC

LC

LC

LC

LC LC

Halcyon smyrnensis

LC

Anastomus oscitans

8th May, Satpura

LC

Sturnia pagodarum

8th May, Satpura, 10th May, Pench 8th May, Satpura, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 9th May, Satpura

LC

9th

Pelargopsis capensis Ceryle rudis Pernis ptilorhynchus

May, Satpura, May, Pench 9th May, Satpura

LC

LC

10th LC

9th May, Satpura

LC

9th May, Satpura, 12th May, Kanha 9th May, Satpura

LC LC

Passer domesticus

9th May, Satpura

LC

Otus bakkamoena

9th May, Satpura, 12th may, Kanha 9th May, Satpura

LC LC

9th May, Satpura

LC

9th May, Satpura

LC

9th May, Satpura, 11th May, Pench 10th May, Pench

LC

10th May, Pench

LC

10th May, Pench, 13th May, Kanha 10th May, Pench

LC

Terpsiphone paradisi

Anthus rufulus Nectarinia asiatica Saxicoloides fulicatus Eremopterix griseus

White woodpecker

51.

Black hooded Oriole

Mirafra erythroptera Chrysocolaptes festivus Oriolus xanthornus

52.

Common Hoopoe

Upupa epops

napped

LC

8th May, Satpura, 10th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th May, Satpura

50.

49.

8th May, Satpura, 12th may, Kanha 8th , 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench, 12th and 13th May, Kanha 8th May, Satpura, 10th May, Pench 8th May, Satpura

40

LC

LC

Sl.

Name Species

53.

Cyornis tickelliae

10th May, Pench

LC

54.

Tickell's blue flycatcher Indian Grey Hornbill

Ocyceros birostris

LC

55.

White eyed buzzard

56.

White Vulture

Butastur teesa Gyps bengalensis

10th May, Pench, 13th May, Kanha 10th May, Pench

57.

Long billed Vulture

Gyps indicus

10th May, Pench

58.

Greater coucal

10th May, Pench

LC

59.

Asian Quail male

Centropus sinensis Coturnix chinensis

LC

60.

Golden Oriole

Oriolus oriolus

61.

Common cuckoo Yellow Lapwing

10th May, Pench, 12th May, Kanha 11th May, Pench, 13th May, Kanha 11th May, Pench

Vanellus malabaricus Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii Pericrocotus flammeus Glaucidium radiatum Sarcoramphus papa Threskiornis melanocephalus

12th and 13th May, Kanha

LC

12th May, Kanha

LC

12th and 13th May, Kanha

LC

12th May, Kanha

LC

12th May, Kanha

LC

12th May, Kanha

Near Threatened

Ardeola grayii Treron phoenicopterus Zosterops palpebrosus Ketupa zeylonensis Zoothera citrina

12th May, Kanha

LC

13th May, Kanha

LC

13th May, Kanha

LC

13th May, Kanha

LC

13th May, Kanha

LC

62.

of Scientific Name

Rumped

hawk wattled

63.

Sirkeer malkoha

64.

Scarlet Minivet

65.

Jungle Owlet

66.

King Vulture

67.

Black headed Ibis

68.

Pond Heron

69.

Yellow footed Green Pigeon

70.

Oriental white eye

71.

Brown fish owl

72.

Orange headed thrush

Hierococcyx varius

Date Location

and IUCN Conservation Status

10th May, Pench, 12th May, Kanha

41

LC Critically Endangered

Critically Endangered

Justification

This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because it has suffered an extremely rapid population decline primarily as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac.

This species is classified as Critically Endangered because it has suffered an extremely rapid population decline as a result of mortality from feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac.

LC LC

In common with most large wetland species in Asia, this species is undergoing a population reduction, which is suspected to be moderately rapid. It faces the full gambit of threats, from hunting and disturbance at breeding colonies to drainage and conversion of foraging habitats to agriculture.

Sl.

Name Species

of Scientific Name

73.

Jungle Crow

74.

Sambar female

male

and

Rusa unicolor

75.

Nilgai (Male Female)

and

76.

Northern plains gray langur

Boselaphus tragocamelus Semnopithecus entellus

77.

Rhesus Macaque

Macaca mulatta

78.

Black-naped hare

Lepus nigricollis

79.

Indian Bison (herds)

Bos gaurus

80.

Leopard (3 cubs)

81.

Indian Giant Squirrel

82.

Sloth Bear (male, female and cubs)

Corvus levaillantii

Date Location

and IUCN Conservation Status

10th May, Pench, 12th May, Kanha 8th, 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench and 12th, 13th May, Kanha

LC Vulnerable

8th, 9th May, Satpura, and 10th, 11th May, Pench

LC

8th, 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench and 12th, 13th May, Kanha 8th and 9th May, Sa77.tpura and 10th, 11th May, Pench 8th May, Satpura, 10th May, Pench 8th, 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench and 12th, 13th May, Kanha

LC

Panthera pardus

8th May, Satpura

Near Threatened

Ratufa indica Melursus ursinus

8th May, Satpura

LC Vulnerable

9th May, Satpura

42

Justification

Sambar is listed as Vulnerable through sustained declines across its range. The overall decline rate in India has been less, given the presence of large populations in a fair number of wellsecured protected areas which have probably remained stable, but a decline rate averaging 30% is reasonable in India outside these areas (i.e. in the less effective protected areas and outside the protected areas network), and in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

LC

LC Vulnerable

The population decline in parts of the species' range especially Indochina and Malaysia, perhaps also Myanmar and China, is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations (generation length estimated at 8–10 years), whereas in India and Nepal the overall decline rate is considerably lower.

Leopards have a wide range and are locally common in some parts of Africa and tropical Asia. However, they are declining in large parts of their range due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and hunting for trade and pest control.

These threats may be significant enough that the species could soon qualify for Vulnerable.

They are particularly vulnerable to loss of

Sl.

Name Species

of Scientific Name

Date Location

and IUCN Conservation Status

Justification

habitat because of their reliance on lowland areas, which tend to be the places most readily used by people.

Poaching and trade in sloth bears or their parts is also common in many parts of their range, including the capture and removal of cubs from the wild. Given the lack of effective measures to control the rate of habitat loss and exploitation, sloth bear populations are expected to continue declining.

83.

Muntjac

Rusa alfredi

84.

Wild Boar

Sus scrofa

85.

Three striped squirrel

86.

Fruit bat

87.

Swamp deer (herds)

88.

Rat Snake

89.

Golden Jackal (Female and cub) Wild Dog (packs)

90.

palm

Funambulus palmarum Cynopterus sphinx Rucervus duvaucelii

Ptyas mucosa Canis aureus Cuon alpinus

9th May, Satpura, 10th May, Pench 8th, 9th May, Satpura, 10th, 11th May, Pench and 12th, 13th May, Kanha 9th May, Satpura, 10th May, Pench 10th May, Pench

LC LC

LC

12th and 13th May, Kanha

LC Vulnerable

12th May, Kanha

LC

10th, 11th May, Pench and 12th, 13th May, Kanha 10th, Pench

LC

43

Endangered

The range is now severely fragmented and the total area of occupancy (AOO) possibly falls below 2,000 km2, if areas of unsuitable habitat within protected areas supporting it are excluded. If the AOO were to be confirmed, then this species may also qualify as Vulnerable. This species is reliant upon hands-on management in protected areas and changes in management style could see a resumption of very rapid declines echoing those of the midtwentieth century.

Dholes have disappeared from most of their historical range.

Populations are still declining in most areas due to several main threats which include depletion of prey base, habitat loss, persecution due to livestock predation, disease

Sl.

Name Species

of Scientific Name

Date Location

and IUCN Conservation Status

Justification

transmission from domestic dogs, and possibly interspecific competition. Although there is uncertainty in our estimation, we calculate a total population of 4,50010,500 individuals, of which only 949-2,215 are mature individuals.

Most if not all current subpopulations of Dholes are relatively small and isolated, and often exhibit severe fluctuations in numbers.

One of the largest remaining subpopulations of dholes was estimated to contain 207-304 individuals, of which only 44-64 were mature individuals. Therefore, Dholes warrant listing as Endangered 91.

Spotted deer (herds)

Axis axis

10th, 11th May, Pench and 12th, 13th May, Kanha

44

LC

Annexure Four: Reference 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

http://en.wikipedia.org/ http://www.iucnredlist.org/ http://www.mp.gov.in/en/home Birds of Indian Subcontinent – 2nd edition Birds of India by Krys Kuzmierczal; illustared by Ber Van Perlo The Book of Indian Animals by S.H. Praler The Book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians by J.C. Daniel Indian Mammals by V. K. Menon Plant Species by H. P. Sharma Jungle Trees of Central India, by Pradip Krishen Flowering Trees – Shrubs and climbers of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal by Rupinder Khullar 12. Kanha – Glimpses of a Tiger Reserve, by Khageswar Nayak & Rakesh Shukla 13. Madhya Pradesh – Tiger Conservation Initiatives, published by Madhya Pradesh Forest Department 14. The Sanctuary Guide to Pench, published by Sanctuary Asia

45