Project Tiger Research Articles

TigeR: Tumor immunotherapy gene expression data analysis R package

AbstractImmunotherapy shows great promise for treating advanced cancers, but its effectiveness varies widely among different patients and cancer types. Identifying biomarkers and developing robust predictive models to discern which patients are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy is of great importance. In this context, we have developed the tumor immunotherapy gene expression R package (tigeR 1.0) to address the increasing need for effective tools to explore biomarkers and construct predictive models. tigeR encompasses four distinct yet closely interconnected modules. The Biomarker Evaluation module enables researchers to evaluate whether the biomarkers of interest are associated with immunotherapy response via built‐in or custom immunotherapy gene expression data. The Tumor Microenvironment Deconvolution module integrates 10 open‐source algorithms to obtain the proportions of different cell types within the tumor microenvironment, facilitating the investigation of the association between immune cell populations and immunotherapy response. The Prediction Model Construction module equips users with the ability to construct sophisticated prediction models using a range of built‐in machine‐learning algorithms. The Response Prediction module predicts the immunotherapy response for the patients from gene expression data using our pretrained machine learning models or public gene expression signatures. By providing these diverse functionalities, tigeR aims to simplify the process of analyzing immunotherapy gene expression data, thus making it accessible to researchers without advanced programming skills. The source code and example for the tigeR project can be accessed at http://github.com/YuLab-SMU/tigeR.

A Note on the Quality of Waters of Tiger Project Area, Similipal (Orissa)

No Abstract.

On the Botany of Manas Wild Life Sanctuary in Assam

The Manas Wild Life Sanctuary (26°30'-27°N and 91°-92°E) falls under the 'Tiger Project' area of Assam. The area is covered chiefly by dry or moist deciduous forests ; tall grasses grow on vast areas and provide cover for rich wild life.Tne paper enumerates 383 species of phanerogams, collected during three botanical excursions. There are about 90 tree species in the area, and same number of shrubs and undershrubs. The composition of the flora and dominant vegetation types are briefly discussed.

Evaluation of Model Predictions of the Unsteady Tidal Stream Resource and Turbine Fatigue Loads Relative to Multi-Point Flow Measurements at Raz Blanchard

The next stage of development of the tidal stream industry will see a focus on the deployment of tidal turbines in arrays of increasing device numbers and rated power. Successful array development requires a thorough understanding of the resource within potential deployment sites. This is predictable in terms of flow speeds, based upon tidal constituents. However, the operating environment for the turbine is more complex than the turbine experiencing a uniform flow, with turbulence, shear and wave conditions all affecting the loading on the turbine components. This study establishes the accuracy with which several alternative modelling tools predict the resource characteristics which define unsteady loading—velocity shear, turbulence and waves—and assesses the impact of the model choice on predicted damage equivalent loads. In addition, the predictions of turbulence are compared to a higher fidelity model and the occurrence of flow speeds to a Delft3D model for currents and waves. These models have been run for a specific tidal site, the Raz Blanchard, one of the major tidal stream sites in European waters. The measured resource and predicted loading are established using data collected in a recent deployment of acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) as part of the Interreg TIGER project. The conditions are measured at three locations across the site, with transverse spacing of 145.7 m and 59.3 m between each device. Turbine fatigue loading is assessed using measurements and model predictions based on an unsteady blade element momentum model applied to near-surface and near-bed deployment positions. As well as across-site spatial variation of loading, the through life loading over a 5-year period results in an 8% difference to measured loads for a near-surface turbine, using conditions purely defined from a resource model and to within 3% when using a combination of modelled shear with measured turbulence characteristics.

Overview of Resource and Turbine Modelling in the Tidal Stream Industry Energiser project: TIGER

Tidal energy projects require numerical modelling for the assessment of tidal site conditions and turbine/array performance. The Interreg TIGER project has offered a unique opportunity to implement a wide range of numerical models. This paper provides an overview and comparison of the different numerical models developed by academic partners in the TIGER project. The models cover a variety of spatial and temporal scales. The largest scale models provide long-term climatic studies covering the entire English Channel region, at relatively low resolution, whilst the highest-resolution models provide detailed information about short-term and small-scale turbulent flow and its interaction with tidal turbines. The models are used for various purposes. At one end of the scale, the models have been used to inform the large-scale techno-economic assessment of tidal energy and its impact on the energy mix in the UK and France. At the other end of the scale, the numerical models provide information that feeds into detailed engineering design of tidal turbines at particular sites, and assessment of the energy yield. The models showcase the range of computational tools available to aid the development of the tidal energy industry. This paper will be useful for investors, technology developers and project stakeholders to help identify suitable numerical models to support and develop ongoing and future tidal stream projects.

Turbine fatigue load prediction from field measurements of waves and turbulence

The interest in this work is understanding the conditions which contribute to the cyclic loading experienced by a tidal turbine. Tidal turbines are placed in locations with high flow speeds in order to extract maximum kinetic energy. These flow speeds combined with other environmental factors can lead to a complex operating conditions. When assessing turbine loading across a site, most models use ambient flow conditions, with very few codes including the impact of waves with currents. Previous studies have analysed the influence of wave conditions from measurements on the loading, through a consideration of the turbine not operating. Although tidal conditions are bi-directional, wave conditions do vary with direction and this combination will be investigated in this study.
 Full-scale site data was gathered at Le Raz Blanchard, a potential tidal site as part of the Interreg funded TIGER project. The focus in this study is on data gathered which provides both wave and current conditions over a period of 45 days. Loading on the turbine components is assessed through an efficient blade element momentum theory method, which is combined with a synthetic turbulence model to provide a time-varying onset flow. This work determines the impact of the measured waves, and the way in which they are analysed on the turbulence characteristics in the onset flow, specifically the interaction of waves with current and influence on the loading experienced on the turbine.

Unlocking the eHealth professionals’ career pathways: A case of Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Unlocking the eHealth professionals’ career pathways: A case of Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Encountering Illness: Local Knowledge, Institutions and the Science of Healthcare Practices among the Chuktia Bhunjia Tribe of Odisha, India

This paper documents local knowledge-based healthcare practices of Chuktia Bhunjia tribe of Odisha, India, and attempts to ascertain the socio-cultural rationale explaining its persistence against escalating modern healthcare facilities. Focusing on the coexistence of culture, ecology and healthcare, it describes the associated beliefs, rituals, institutions and practices concerning the healthcare. Data, collected using formal interview, observation and case study, reveal that the healthcare practices of Chuktia Bhunjia revolve around the customary beliefs, ecology and laws governing the access to healthcare services. Despite provision of modern medical facilities in their locality, their submission to culture, backed by purity-pollution, customary laws and absence of resource to afford modern medicine, continues to become determinant forces towards relying on traditional healthcare. With malfunctioning of the conventional healthcare institutions, coupled with communication constraint and lack of capability, ethno-ecological and community-based knowledge healthcare fill the gap between demand and supply of their healthcare services. Nevertheless, owing to the declining pathways of transmission of those knowledge bases due to state intervention, forest policies, migration of younger generation, socio-cultural transformation and disassociation of people with plant resources because of tiger project, healthcare knowledge and institutions are under threat. Therefore, given the implication of knowledge-based healthcare and possible threats to its existence, documentation of such practices would sustainably offer a solution to their healthcare, provided cultural diversity upholding those practices are preserved. Alternatively, owing to threats over cultural reproduction knowledge, any integration of their knowledge base with modern healthcare system can best just their healthcare practices in sustainable way.

Portrayal of ‘Hunting’ in Environmental History of India

The paper begins with a general discussion on hunting. It is divided into four main parts, discussing about the effect of hunting on environment and ecology in Ancient, Medieval, Colonial and Independent India. Across all the ages, hunting wild animals has been an important activity for the royals and nobles. In ancient India, only Ashoka took some initiatives at protecting the animals and environment. The portion on Medieval India mainly focusses on the Mughals and their hunting styles. In the colonial period, mastery over nature was thought of as a part of mastery over India. Both British officials and Indian princes unabatedly shot many animals, which ultimately led to the extinction of cheetah in India. In the part on Independent India, the efforts by Indira Gandhi like the ‘Wildlife Protection Act’ in 1972, Project Tiger and its effects have been given. In conclusion, the need to conserve our wildlife is briefly cited with reference to a few high-profile cases of hunting in India even after it was outlawed.

Use of components of the transitional care model in geriatric cross-sectoral care in Germany-Results of asurvey

The inclusion of transitional care professionals to improve the sectoral interface management is politically supported. The nine components of the transitional care model (TCM) originating from the USA, are used in arandomized controlled trial within the TIGER project, which is funded by the Federal Joint Committee of Germany. Geriatric patients are accompanied prior to discharge from hospital and up to 12months after discharge in the home environment. Within the framework of the TIGER project a nationwide survey was carried out on the use of the TCM components in the accompanied transition from hospital to home in the field of geriatrics. Adata collection was set up to establish contact with people from the immediate and care policy environment of geriatrics. In a2-stage process, the first question was whether ageriatric project was known that focuses on the transition from hospital to home in geriatric patients. After confirmation, aquestionnaire could be filled out online or by post. Atotal of 31 different projects out of 39 answered questionnaires were identified. Principally, all TCM components were used in the projects. The TCM component9 that describes the coordination of support and aids, was mentioned most often (n = 30). The TCM components6 (improvement in self-management) and8 (promoting continuity) were used in only 19projects. Management of the transsectoral transition is acurrent topic in the field of geriatrics in Germany. The TCM components that have proved to be important in reducing hospital readmission rates have predominantly been used in the projects.

Public Expenditure Effectiveness for Biodiversity Conservation: Understanding the Trends for Project Tiger in India

Public Expenditure Effectiveness for Biodiversity Conservation: Understanding the Trends for Project Tiger in India

To Hunt or Not to Hunt: Tiger Hunting, Conservation and Collaboration in Colonial India

As the Edwardian era came to an end in Britain and its Empire began to decline, the glorious days of tiger hunting in India were being measured against a genuine fear of the total extinction of tigers. This article maps the precarious position of Indian tigers in the hands of hunters against the rising concern over preservation of the species in the first half of the twentieth century. Ranging from the bureaucratic to the overtly sentimental and personal, these attitudes, taken together, reveal a pre-‘Project Tiger’ conservation milieu in colonial India. They help us to judge the cultural status and symbol of the Bengal tiger before it became an iconic species for wildlife conservation in postcolonial India. The various debates and representations of tigers in hunting memoirs often throw light on intricate socio-cultural problems threatening the survival of the cat. In fact, the debates, as much as they spread awareness, ended up strengthening the bureaucratic and sometimes political hold over Indian forests. The article further tracks imperial discourse on the systematization of tiger hunts, which was effectively linked with the preservation of tigers and collaboration with Indians. During the twilight of the British Empire, tiger hunt and tiger conservation would emerge as sites for possible collaboration between Indians and their rulers. As recent efforts at international collaboration to protect tigers have shown, the tiger retains enough sentimental value to secure bureaucratic and political ties between nations.

Scorpionflies (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) collected during Project Tiger with the description of three new species from Thailand

Project Tiger was a collaborative effort to study entomological diversity in Thailand in 2007 through 2009 that involved the University of Kentucky, Thai field researchers, and world taxonomic specialists. Three new species of scorpionflies (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) are described from material acquired during Project Tiger and during subsequent collecting by the author. These are: Neopanorpa normpennyin. sp., a remarkable species with a greatly elongated process on the male 3rd tergum extending caudally nearly to the genital bulb, Neopanorpa arcuatan. sp., a scorpionfly with unique arched male hypovalves, and the first species of Panorpa from Thailand, Panorpa auripennisn. sp., with unusual golden yellow wings. Collection data for Mecoptera taken by Project Tiger are presented. Efforts by Project Tiger and follow up collecting bring the number of species of Mecoptera occurring in Thailand to 17, including 15 species of Neopanorpa Weele, 1909, one Panorpa Linnaeus, 1758, and one Bittacus Latreille, 1805, and the number of Mecoptera species known from Indochina to 51, including 44 Neopanorpa, two Panorpa, four Bittacus, and one Bicaubittacus Tan & Hua, 2009.

Cabamofa orientalis sp. nov. from Thailand, congeneric with C. mira Jaschhof from Costa Rica (Diptera: Bibionomorpha: Sciaroidea incertae sedis).

The genus Cabamofa, previously containing only C. mira from Costa Rica (Jaschhof 2005), is shown here to have a second species in Thailand, which is described and named C. orientalis sp. nov. The new species is known from a single male collected by the TIGER Project (Thailand Inventory Group for Entomological Research), a mass-sampling program to inventory insect diversity in Southeast Asia (Plant et al. 2011; http://sharkeylab.org/tiger, accessed 14 December 2018). As the circumstances of finding indicate, C. orientalis is a decidedly rare species, an attribute applying to perhaps one third of all tropical arthropods (Lim et al. 2012) and most Sciaroidea incertae sedis (Jaschhof 2017), including the Costa Rican C. mira. The latter species was originally described from two females, which were Malaise trapped in 2003 in lowland rain forest (Jaschhof 2005), while a conspecific male, a museum specimen collected in 1922 in an unknown habitat, was detected and described subsequently (Amorim Rindal 2007). Cabamofa is one of nearly 20 sciaroid genera whose family affiliation has not yet been resolved (Jaschhof 2017), but there is morphological evidence suggesting its close affinity to other Sciaroidea incertae sedis, such as Rogambara Jaschhof, 2005, Ohakunea Tonnoir Edwards, 1927, and Colonomyia Colless, 1963. These four genera together form the Ohakunea group of Jaschhof (2005), or the Ohakuneinae (as a subfamily of the broadly conceived family Rangomaramidae) of Amorim Rindal (2007). Recent molecular work (Ševčík et al. 2016, Kaspřák et al. 2019) suggests a more distant phylogenetic position of Ohakunea to other Sciaroidea incertae sedis. The obvious conflict here between morphological and molecular evidence is stimulating fresh interest in the "incertae sedis issue", as proven by the present contribution. The morphology of C. orientalis provides no new clues as to the systematic position of Cabamofa, or the Ohakunea group, but reveals characters that were previously not known to occur in Cabamofa. The delimitation of this genus is briefly reviewed below. Our finding of C. orientalis extends the geographic distribution of Cabamofa from the New World to the Old World (Oriental) tropics, which consorts with the disjunct (Neotropical-Australasian) areas found in both Colonomyia and Ohakunea. Morphological terminology used here is in accordance with that by Cumming Wood (2017).

Survey on Quality of Life Profiling of Frontline Forest Personnel of Manas National Park

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p><strong></strong>Manas National Park is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The park is known for its rare endangered and endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. Manas is also famous for its population of the wild water buffalo.</p><p>Presently, Aaranyak is implementing working on a project viz. The Manas Tiger Conservation Programme (MTCP). It is led by Aaranyak and being implemented in partnership with the Forest Department BTC, Wildlife Conservation Trust, Panthera and Awely. The project has been supported by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Goal of the Project is to achieve 50% increase in tiger population in the next 10 years with enhanced protection measures, research and working on livelihood on the fringe area communities of MNP.</p><p>The scope of the survey is to understand the knowledge, skills and attitude of the target group in relation to their work place environment and job responsibilities. The objective is to assess their needs and quality of life in so far as conditions prevalent within the camps and the community in the fringe areas are concerned. The data collected will enable the framing of appropriate measures to enhance holistic growth and efficiency in the functioning of the frontline staff and better protection of MNP. </p><p><strong>GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE</strong></p><p><strong></strong>The project covered 500 sq. km area of the park, more than 300 forest personnel are engaged spreading over 60 Camps to protect the rich flora and fauna of this World Heritage Site.</p><p><strong>OBJECTIVES</strong></p><p><strong></strong>To understand the quality of life in so far as conditions prevalent within the camps and the community in the fringe areas are concerned.</p><p>To understand the gap in knowledge, skills and attitude of the forest workers in relation to their work place environment and job responsibilities.</p><p><strong>TARGET GROUP</strong></p><p><strong></strong>The survey included frontline forest personnel working in Manas National Park, under Bodoland Territorial Council, Government of Assam.</p>

To resettle or not?: Socioeconomic characteristics, livelihoods, and perceptions toward resolving human-tiger conflict in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

As pressure from a growing human population increases around the world, greater levels of conflict between people and wildlife over shrinking available land may be inevitable. The conversion of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in India is a conservation initiative under “Project Tiger” scheme to facilitate greater habitat connectivity across the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. We interviewed local people in the MTR landscape to determine their interest and attitude towards resettlement and tiger conservation following MTR’s new status designation. We found that non-tribal Mountain Chetties generally had negative attitude towards tiger conservation, Kurumbas were positive toward the idea, and Kattunaickers, and Irula people and other minor ethnic groups were found neutral. We found that literate respondents were less likely to collect firewood and more likely to exhibit positive attitude towards tiger conservation and the establishment of MTR. Households with higher milk production, and people with generally negative attitude towards wildlife conservation, were against the declaration of MTR. People employed in private sectors and those having negative perception towards wildlife conservation were more likely to show negative attitude towards declaration of MTR. Locals desiring resettlement post MTR declaration were literate, and interested in availing better livelihood resources. However, they usually suffered relatively high livestock loss to large carnivores, and high crop damage caused by elephant (Elephas maximus). Most respondents (74.3%) were interested in resettlement provided that basic amenities were available to them. We recommend that conservation authorities facilitate “choice-based resettlement” options, which account for local people’s consent before making decisions on “resettlement”. This approach will avoid possible conflicts between forest managers and local people.

Plant diversity and associated traditional ecological knowledge of Soliga tribal community of Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRTTR):A biogeographic bridge for Western and Eastern Ghats, India

The Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRTTR) is a chain of hills and important ecosystems, which forms the biogeographic ridge between two biodiversity rich areas namely the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats of India. The hills are being resided by the Soliga tribal community for the centuries and accorded with a status of Tiger reserve in December 2010 under Project Tiger administered by National Tiger Conservation Authority. The study was done on the traditional ecological knowledge of the people in healthcare system. A total of 108 plants belonging to 51 families have been identified, which the Soliga tribal community uses for curing various ailments. The local name, part used, disease cured and prescribed dosage are properly documented while developing detailed inventory on the plant biodiversity of the region. The ecological status of the plant species is also reported to understand their conservation status at global level. The ailments listed are categorized in major and minor ailments. The results indicate that 76% people still depend on traditional health care systems to cure minor ailments. However, 04% people depend on the traditional health care system to cure major diseases. And 33% people were found to be followed traditional and allopathic treatment for curing the major ailments like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, kidney stones, tuberculosis etc. Among the recorded species 09 are found under vulnerable category, followed by endangered (07), endemic (03), low risk-least concerned (02) and data deficient (01). Keeping change in policy scenario in view there would be possibility to relocate tribal community from some of the areas in core of BRTTR to other places. This shift coupled with various other factors for example restrictions on the collection of forest resources, change in socioeconomic setup, and acculturation which is taking place in the society, the ecological and indigenous knowledge of the region would face danger of vanishing. This study support India's initiatives of protecting TEK from patent issues where non-codified information was codified for the future use. And argues that the biodiversity conservation in protected areas requires regular monitoring of various species within the purview of human interactions on ecosystems for various needs.

Relocation and Livelihood Concerns of Sariska Tiger Project, Rajasthan: A Pride or Plight?

It is well known that Sariska Tiger Reserve is a home to the India’s national animal - the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). The crux of this research is to examine the role of local peoples in the conservation of Sariska Tiger project, which was declared a wildlife reserve way back in 1955 and then further raised to a status of a Tiger Reserve in 1978, and a National Park in 1982. According to the Government officials, the people around the reserve are not only responsible for degrading the reserve, it has also emerged as a safe haven for the poachers involved in illegal hunting of the tigers. One of the reasons identified to be the cause of tiger extinction is the human habitation in the core and in the peripheral areas surrounding the tiger reserves. Despite efforts being made to protect, the Sariska Tiger Reserve, located in Alwar (Rajasthan) is seriously facing the problem of tiger extinction. It is estimated that there are around 12 thousand people residing inside the tiger reserve, with 11 villages in the Core Zone-1 area and about 170 villages situated along the peripheries of the reserve. Among the prime measures undertaken are diversions of traffic, relocation of the villages located inside the forest. The Tiger Task Force (2005) has recommended relocation of three key villages surrounding the central area of the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
 However, this relocation of villages is quite contrary to the life style of the people residing within these villages. Their social and cultural attributes, needs and aspirations have not been given due consideration and the villagers are strongly resenting this move by the government. These displaced villagers have been living in perfect harmony with their environment from time immemorial and it is hard to understand how these villagers can be held responsible for degrading their natural environment, which is their lifeline. The government has failed to take into consideration the role of the neighbouring urban centres that are more responsible for the degradation of the habitat as compared to these simple villagers. In the light of these arguments, this research is an attempt to study and highlight the issues and problems related to the displacement of villages in the core area of the reserve and suggest suitable measures.

English

Every state always motivate tourism to revenue and also exchange of culture. A huge biodiversity across the world exploring by the peoples in last few decades. And this trends is more in developing countries like India. India is having vast cultural, social, religious immense diversity. It is intermixing of various cultures like British, Mugals and local kings for a long period of time. Nowadays these situations transform in to tourism hub and it is a key development strategy. The survey was carried out in the area of Sariska Tiger Project area and also secondary data collected from Alwar tourist department of Rajasthan, India. From the results showing that the total number of tourist decline 2005 to 2009 were 70% in Alwar district whereas in Rajasthan it was increased to 33%. If we analyzed the domestic and foreign tourist there will be a huge declined in domestic tourist at Alwar region compared to Rajasthan.   Key words: Agriculture, biodiversity, India, tourism.

Legitimacy, access, and the gridlock of tiger conservation: lessons from Melghat and the history of central India

Though tiger conservationists almost ubiquitously acknowledge the necessity of landscape approaches and the involvement of local people for effective tiger conservation, reconciling these two needs presents certain challenges for practitioners. Seeking to address both local exigencies and conservation goals, state-sponsored ecodevelopment initiatives have become commonly associated with Project Tiger reserves in India. However, in this essay I argue that by focusing on the proximate sources of tension between tiger conservation and local people (i.e., human–tiger conflict, habitat degradation, and prey depletion), these programs have reinforced the ultimate causes of such tension: the structural inequalities that exists between local people and state organizations. By linking the historical literature with my own fieldwork in the Melghat Tiger Reserve of the Central Indian Highlands, I show how the current structure of ecodevelopment largely mirrors that of colonial forestry by attempting to enforce natural resource property rights in a way that privileges the state and delegitimizes local relational mechanisms of access to natural resources. In doing so, ecodevelopment reflects the political structure that facilitated the rise of conflicts between tigers and people and reinforces the “gridlock of tiger conservation” (Rastogi et al. 2012). With this political ecology perspective, I advocate solidarity between conservation practitioners, local people, and state organizations in addressing these structural problems to further conservation efforts. Emphasizing co-management’s ability to accommodate multi-scalar forms of authority, I end by offering three lessons for conservation from Melghat’s experience with colonial forestry and ecodevelopment.