MODELING POTENTIAL SUITABLE TIGER HABITAT IN SARISKA NATIONAL PARK (INDIA) USING HABITAT SUITABILITY AND INTEGRATED GEOSPATIAL APPROACH

Abstract

The aim of the study is to model the actual/potential wildlife habitat suitability with or without the current human impacts with integrated Geospatial technology. The research area is the Sariska National Park, Rajasthan. In order to determine the suitable site, the parameters considered are slope, elevation, aspect, vegetation types and density, proximity to the water bodies, roads and settlements, availability of food and interaction with other species in the study area with other secondary data like population data and habitat use data. A methodology integrating several forms of remotely sensed data into a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) model is developed that identifies suitable sites. Proximity and overlay analysis are used with GIS modeling to assess the suitable sites. Habitat suitability index (HSI) is generated that determines the suitable site for wildlife habitat considering the human interventions and man-wildlife conflicts in Sariska National Park. The outcome may fit with conservation strategies of wildlife in the coming future to be taken by authorities. The area is found to be highly suitable for tiger habitat and suitable for their relocation. HSI > 0.8 corresponds to 49.057 km2 which is the most suitable for tiger habitat corresponding to 3.8% of the total study area on an average.