Use of matrix habitat by tigers and attitude of local communities towards tiger conservation in Amaria, Uttar Pradesh
Student name: Ms Shivangi Aggarwal
Guide: Dr Rinki Deo
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: WWF-India
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Ashish Bista
Abstract: Shrinking natural habitats are a global issue in large carnivore conservation, affecting the population viability of carnivores, human safety and livelihood. As large carnivores are restricted to smaller patches of ‘natural’ habitat they enter peripheral agricultural areas, competing with humans for resources often leading to conflict. In fragmented landscapes such as the TAL carnivores have been known to use, and even prefer, the ‘matrix’ habitat for extended periods of times. Understanding the extent of this use and the dynamics behind it can help expand the scope of conservation models beyond the traditional theory of island biogeography and develop models that can be used to monitor and mitigate animal activity. The study attempted a single-season occupancy analysis to model tiger presence in the study area. Data input for the analysis was farmer surveys (FS), sign surveys (SS) and camera trap surveys (CS); interview surveys with farmers were conducted in the 25 selected cells to assess tiger, prey base and other large carnivore presence in the region. Sign surveys and camera trap data was used to validate presence. The interview surveys were also used to assess attitude of farmers towards animal conservation. Data from camera trapping done in Amaria, Uttar Pradesh over 6 consecutive years (2012-current) was used to assess the habitat use by tigers outside of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). Instances of positive presence were overlaid with watershed and LULC maps of the region to identify environmental factors behind tiger presence. Through the analysis it was found that the best suited model for tiger presence was one where habitat use varied as a function of area of water bodies in each cell. Presence of water bodies was also found to be a major environmental factor behind the use of the matrix as maximum tiger presence was detected along water-bodies throughout the watershed. Local communities were found to be extremely agitated due to extensive activity of wild-animals but responded largely positively towards conservation. Non-violent mitigation methods like removal of animals by forest department and fencing around PAs were found to be popular amongst the respondents.
Keywords: Matrix, Occupancy, Detection, Attitude Perception, Water Bodies
