Abstract
A camera trapping survey to estimate the species richness and relative abundance of different mammalian fauna and various anthropogenic activities was carried out for four months within an urban influenced zone of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha. The survey extended over 120 days in January–April 2019 over 10% of the total sanctuary area. With nine cameras and a total effort of 771 trap days, 2,855 independent photographs including 14 species of wild mammals and birds, human traffic, and movement of stray animals were captured. Among the mammalian fauna, Golden Jackal was the most photographed species whereas the Asian Elephant, Striped Hyaena, and Common Palm Civet were the least photographed species. Various anthropogenic activities like intensive movement of departmental vehicles, staff, feral livestock, and stray dogs and cats were also recorded and these activities need to be addressed in management activities for long term conservation of the area and its mammalian fauna. In order to enhance biological connectivity and improve movement of wildlife between the main part of the Chandaka Sanctuary and its near-detached reserved forests in Jagannathprasad-Bharatpur, the study recommends removal of feral cattle, extensive plantations, and construction of a fly-over for vehicular traffic.
Highlights
Information on the presence and distribution of species within a region is important for planning and evaluating conservation strategies (Tobler et al 2008) and it is vital if the area is experiencing threats from adjoining urban development
The Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary (CDWS) covering an area of 193.39km2 is situated in Khurda District adjoining Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, eastern India
Rodents, and shrews, species like Sambar Rusa unicolor, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, Indian Chevrotain Moschiola indica, Leopard Panthera pardus, Asiatic Wild Dog Cuon alpinus, Bengal Fox Vulpes bengalensis, Small Indian Mongoose Urva auropunctatus, Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus, and Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata that were earlier reported to occur in CDWS (Tiwari et al 2002), were not recorded during the present study in Bharatpur and Jagannathprasad forest sector
Summary
Information on the presence and distribution of species within a region is important for planning and evaluating conservation strategies (Tobler et al 2008) and it is vital if the area is experiencing threats from adjoining urban development. The increasing pressure for urban development will lead to continued urban expansion resulting in loss, degradation, fragmentation and isolation of the remnant natural habitats (Biamonte et al 2011). This changing environmental condition affects biodiversity at local, landscape and regional scales (Jokimaki & KaisanlahtiJokimaki 2003; Wilby & Perry 2006). The Bharatpur and Jagannathprasad reserve forests of CDWS have already been isolated from the sanctuary and surrounded by human habitations of Bhubaneswar City. It can be predicted that the negative effect of urban growth might have resulted in the local extinction or population depletion of many species the mammalian fauna in this fragmented habitat. Documenting the status of different mammalian fauna and various ongoing anthropogenic activities is important to assist subsequent conservation interventions
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