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eISSN: 2575-906X

Biodiversity International Journal

Research Article Volume 2 Issue 2

Ecological status for Ratapani wild life sanctuary, Raisen (MP) India

Ashok K Rathoure

Ecology & Biodiversity Expert, Ecosystem Resource Management Pvt. Ltd., India

Correspondence: Ashok K Rathoure, Ecology & Biodiversity Expert, Eco Chem Sales & Services, Ecosystem Resource Management Pvt. Ltd., Surat Gujarat, India

Received: December 08, 2017 | Published: April 12, 2018

Citation: Rathoure AK. Ecological status for Ratapani wild life sanctuary, Raisen (MP) India. Biodiversity Int J. 2018;2(2):153?170. DOI: 10.15406/bij.2018.02.00058

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Abstract

The baseline study was conducted for the evaluation of the floral and faunal biodiversity of the terrestrial as well as aquatic environment of the study area, it comprises of total 5reserved forest and 3 protected forest including Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary falls Dist.-Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is strongly recommended to prepare the conservation plan for schedule -1 Fauna (listed 9 animals and 1 bird) and it is ensure to implement the conservation plan during construction and operation phase of railway track. Moreover, there is an urgent need of public awareness for the importance of wildlife, as illegal hunting, killing or capturing of wild animals was recorded from locals living in the forest and nearby villagers.

Keywords: faunal biodiversity, floral biodiversity, nature conservancy, reserve forest, wildlife sanctuary

Introduction

Plants and animals are more susceptible to environmental stress. A change in the composition of biological communities is reflected by a change in the distribution pattern, frequency, density and abundance of natural species of flora and fauna existing in the ecosystem. These changes over a span of time can be quantified and related to the existing environmental factors. Natural flora and fauna are important features of the environment. They are organized into natural communities and are sensitive to outside influences. Integrating ecological thinking into the planning process is urgent need in the context of deterioration of natural environment, which is unwanted but direct consequence of development.

Methodology

Study area (10 km radius w.r.t. to railway track passing through sanctuary) comprises of reserved and protected forest including wildlife sanctuary. There are five reserved forest and 3 protected forest including Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (Figure 1). The primary objective of survey was to describe the floral and faunal communities within the study area. The sampling plots for floral inventory were selected randomly in the suitable habitats.1‒6 The methodology adopted for faunal survey involve random survey, opportunistic observations, diurnal bird observation, active search for reptiles, faunal habitat assessment, active search for scats and foot prints, animal call, and review of previous studies. The aim was to set baselines in order to monitor and identify trends after the commissioning of the cargo handling activity. Emphasis has been placed on presence of endemic species, threatened species if any present in the study area. The qualitative study has been carried out only. The listed of villages covered for survey is presented in Table 1 and the detailed method and parameters covered for the said study has been highlighted in Table 2.

Figure 1Study area Map on Toposheet (SOI).

S. no.

Area/Track/Zone

Name of forest/hot spots

Remarks

1

Rail track

Railway Track (2 lines) of Length 26.70 km passing through wildlife sanctuary/reserve forest.

There is one more line (third) is proposed parallel to Existing (2 lines - up & down) railway track passing through Wildlife Sanctuary.

2

Obedullahganj

Chakla RF

Reserved and protected forest fall in the study area, majorly teak, open mixed, dense forest.

3

Obedullahganj

Diwattiaya PF

4

Obedullahganj

Gohar Ganj RF

5

Obedullahganj

Obedullahganj PF

6

Obedullahganj

Obedullahganj RF

7

Budani

Budani PF

8

Budani

Budani RF

9

Budani

Ramnagar RF

Table 1 Sensitivity of the study area

S. no.

Aspect/s

Data

Mode of data collection

Parameters monitored

Remarks

 1.

Terrestrial
Ecology

Primary data collection

By Field Survey, Hutto et al.,7 Welsh,8 Thommpson et al.,9 Welsh et al.,10 Allen et al.,11 Misra,12

For Floral diversity, Vegetation measurements:
Tree, Shrub, Herbs, Grasses, Climbers, Cultivated plants in the study area, Floristic composition of the study area, Medicinal plants of the study area, Status of the forest, their category in the study area, Rare and endangered flora in the study area. Endemic plants in the study area.
For Fauna in the study area:
-Reptiles,
-Amphibians,
-Birds,
-Fresh water fishes
-Mammals,
-Butterflies.
-Fungal species
-Rare and Endangered fauna in the study area,
-Endemic fauna in the study area,
-Wild life and their conservation importance in the study area.

Random survey, opportunistic observations, diurnal bird observation, active search for reptiles, faunal habitat assessment, active search for microhabitat, scats, foot prints, animal call, pug marks, debarking sign, Nesting, Claws, Dung, etc. and information from local villagers.

 2.

Secondary data collection

  1. Barkhera Range and Budani Range Forest Division
  2. Data of Fisheries department.
  3. Literature like research papers, books published by research/academic Institutions.

 Interpretation of secondary data for Ecological Sensitive Areas such as national forests, wild life sanctuaries, lakes, ravines, hills, hillocks and reserve forest, vegetation, type, importanceetc.

Bentham & Hooker,13 Hunter,14 Dixit,3 Ghosh et al.,15 Lushington,16 Wilson & Reeder,17 Bird Life International,18 Bird Life International,19,20 Wilson & Reeder,4 Bird Life International,21 Kumar & Srivastava,22 Kumar,5 Kumar et al.,6 Kumar & Aggarwal.23,24 The status of individual species was assessed using the revised IUCN/SSC category system.25‒31

 3.

Evaluation of ecological sensitivity

 Secondary

Review and Discussion

Wild life importance, Floral Endemicity, Faunal Endemicity, State of Terrestrial vegetation, State of wet land vegetation, Mangrove vegetation, Conservation importance, Legal status (National park, Wild life sanctuary, Reserve forest, Wetlands, Agricultural lands) Lakes /reservoirs/dam, Natural lakes and Swamps, Breeding ground of Migratory and Residential birds.

 -

Table 2 Mode of Data collection and Parameters considered during the Survey.

Desktop literature review was conducted to identify the representative spectrum of threatened species, population and ecological communities listed by IUCN, WCMC, ZSI, BSI and Indian Wild life Protection Act, 1972.3‒6,13‒24 The status of individual species was assessed using the revised IUCN/SSC category system.25‒31

Results and discussion

Terrestrial floral and faunal biodiversity

Biological diversity (biodiversity) encompasses the variety of life forms viz. fungus, algae, plants, animals, etc. Rock shelters increase/decrease in algal/fungal growth in the forest of Ratapani wildlife sanctuary. Agro-ecological regions by the National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) have been delineated. Delineation of agro-climatic zones based on soil, water, rainfall, temperature etc. is the first essential step for sustainable production. The National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP) came up with twenty agro-ecological zones based on the growing period as integrated criteria of effective rainfall, soil groups, delineated boundaries adjusted to district boundaries with a minimal number of regions. Subsequently, these twenty agro-ecological zones were sub-divided into 60 sub-zones. As per the map provided in Figure 2, the study area fall under Central Highlands (Malwa, Bundelkhand and Eastern Satpura) which represents tropical dry deciduous forest cat 5 & 3 with hot sub humid climate with black and red soil (length of cropping period is 150-180 days) favorable for mustard, wheat, pulses. Vegetation in the Malwa Plateau is tropical dry forest, with scattered teak (Tectona grandisL. f.) forests. The other main trees are Butea spp., Bombax spp., Anogeissus spp., Acacia spp., Buchanania spp. and Boswellia spp. The shrubs or small trees include species of Grewiaspp., Ziziphus mauritianaLamk.,Caseariaspp., Prosopisspp., Capparisspp., Woodfordiaspp., Phyllanthus spp.and Carissaspp.. The Malwa plateau is considered to be an extension of the Deccan Traps and was formed at the end of Cretaceous period. Black, Brown and Bhtatori or stony soil is abundant in the Malwa Plateau. The black soil requires less irrigation because of its high capacity for moisture retention. The other two soil types are lighter and have a higher proportion of sand. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary contains 129 tree species, 73 herbs and shrubs species, 33 climbers and parasites, 35 grasses and bamboo species, 35 mammals, 205 birds, 14 fish, 33 reptiles and 10 species of amphibians have been recorded in Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. The major crop in the study area is Rabi (winter crops) and Kharif (summer crops); this cropping pattern depends on water from Narmada River. The forest land is involved in the railway track. There is no any major crop in the forest area, only maize was observed at some places where tribal living. The location of wildlife sanctuary shown in the map of Madhya Pradesh is shown in Figures 3-9.

Figure 2Avifauna in the study area.

Figure 3Location of Wildlife Sanctuary in Map of Madhya Pradesh.

Figure 4View of Rail Track passing through wild life sanctuary at different location

Figure 5Wildlife Presence in the Forest (WLS).

Figure 6Pug marks of Tiger Movement in Wildlife sanctuary.

Figure 7Aquatic Habitat of the Study Area.

Figure 8Tree Distribution and pattern in the Forest.

Figure 9Glimpses of Local information and Confirmation from Locals/Villagers.

Floral diversity of the study area

The objective of this floral inventory of the study area is to provide necessary information on floristic structure in the study area for formulating effective management and conservation measures. The climatic, edaphic and biotic variations with their complex interrelationship and composition of species, which are adapted to these variations, have resulted in different vegetation cover, characteristic of each region.32 The tree species, herbs, shrubs, climbers and major crops, were documented during this base line study.33,34

Trees and shrubs: A tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem or trunk, supporting branches and leaves in most species. Trees tend to be long-lived, some reaching several thousand years old. While a shrub or bush is a small to medium-sized woody plant. They are distinguished from trees by their multiple stems and shorter height and are usually less than 6 m (20 ft) tall. The dominant trees in the study area are Tectona grandisf. (Sagaun/teak), Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Palas), Acacia nilotica (ITIS) (Babool), Mangifera indica L. (Aam), Pongamia glabra L. (Karanj), Zizyphus mauritiana (Lamk) (Ber). A total 101 species of trees belong to 37 families are enumerated from the study area (Table 3).

S. no.

Family

Vernacular name

Botanical name

1.

Anacardiaceae

Chironji

Buchanania lanjan

2.

Aam

Mangifera indica

3.

Jhingan

Lannea coromendelica

4.

Anonaceae

Ashok

Polyalthia longifolia

5.

Kari

Saccopetalum tomentosum

6.

Sitafal

Anona squamosa

7.

Apocynaceae

Dudhi/Karayja 

Wrightia tinctoria

8.

Bignoniaceae

Padar

Sterospermum suaveolens

9.

Bixaceae

Kakai

Flacourtia ramontchi

10.

Galgal

Cochlospermum religiosum

11.

Boraginaceae

Datraga

Ehretia laevis,

12.

Lasoda

Cardia myxa

13.

Burseraceae

Keked

Garuga pinnata

14.

Salai

Boswellia serrata

15.

Capparidaceae

Barna

Crataeva unilocularis

16.

Celastraceae

Jamrasi

Elaeodendron glaucum

17.

Combreteceae

Arjun

Terminalia arjuna

18.

Dhavada

Anogeissus latifolia

19.

Bahera

Terminalia belerica

20.

Kardhai

Anogeissus pendula

21.

Saaj

Terminalia tomentosa,

22.

Cornaceae

Akol

Ailangium lamarchii

23.

Ebenaceae

Tendu

Diospyros melanoxylon

24.

Bhaktendu

Diospyros cordifolia

25.

Euphorbiaceae

Aanvla

Emblica officinalis

26.

Kasai

Bridelia retusa

27.

Thuar

Euphorbia neriifolia

28.

Ratanjot

Jatropha curcus

29.

Roli

Mallotus philippinensis

30.

Sahand

Euphorbia nivulia

31.

Lauraceae

Maida lakdi

Litsea glutinosa

32.

Lecythidaceae 

Kumbhi/Kalindi

Careya arborea

33.

Fabaceae

Amaltas

Cassia fistula

34.

Anjan

Hardwickja binata

35.

Asta

Bauhinia racemose

36.

Imli

Tamarindus indica

37.

Karanj

Pongamia glabra

38.

Kachnar

Bauhinia variegata

39.

Kalasiris

Albizzia lebbek

40.

Keyolar

Bauhinia spp.

41.

Kheir

Acacia catechu

42.

Khejra

Prosopis juliflora

43.

Gulmohar

Delonix regia

44.

Chhekur

Prosopis spicigera

45.

Chhichva

Albizzia odoratissima

46.

Tinsa

Ougeinia dalbergiodes

47.

Dhovin

Dalbergia paniculata

48.

Palas

Butea monosperma

49.

Pagra

Erythrina suberosa

50.

Babool

Acacia nilotica

51.

Bijasaal

Pterocarpus marsupium

52.

Renja

Acacia leucophloea

53.

Safed siris

Albizzia procera

54.

Safed khair

Acacia ferruginae

55.

Sehra

Bauhinia retus

56.

Bhisom

Delbergia latifolia

57.

Sissu

Delbergia sissoo

58.

Lythraceae

Seja

Lagerstroemia parviflora

59.

Malvaceae

Pula

Kydia calycina

60.

Kullu

Sterculia lanceolata

61.

Meliaceae

Neem

Azadirachta indica

62.

Bakain

Melia azedarach

63.

Rohan

Soymida febrifuga

64.

Moraceae

Gular

Ficus glomerate

65.

Pakar

Ficus infectoria

66.

Paraspeepal

Ficus retusa

67.

Peepal

Ficus religiosa

68.

Bargad/vad

Ficus bengalensis

69.

Bhahtoot

Morus Iaevigates

70.

Moringaceae

Sahjana

Moringa pterygosperma

71.

Myrtaceae

Jamun

Syzygium cuminii

72.

Gum tree

Eucalyptus sp.

73.

Oleaceae

Mokha

Schrebera swietenioidas

74.

Arecaceae

Khajoor

Phoenix humilis

75.

Rhamnaceae

Ghont

Zyphus xylopyra

76.

Ber

Zizyphus mauratiana

77.

Rubiaceae

Aal

Morinda tintoria

78.

Kem

Mitragyana parvifolia

79.

Dikamali

Gardenia licisa

80.

Tilwan

Wendlandia exserts

81.

Papra

Gardenia latifolia

82.

Feitara

Gardenia turgida

83.

Bhawarsal

Hymenodictyon excelsum

84.

Haldu

Adina cordifolia

85.

Lokhandi

Ixora parviflors

86.

Rutaceae

Keth

Feronia Limonia

87.

Bel

Aegle marmelos

88.

Bilsena

Limonia Crenculata

89.

Meethneem

Murrasya koenigii

90.

Salmaliaceae

Semal

Salmalia malabarcum

91.

Salvadoraceae

Peelu

Salvadora oleodides

92.

Sapindaceae

Kusum

Schleiehera trijuga

93.

Reetha

Sapindus laurifolius

94.

Sapotaceae

Mahuva

Madhuca indica

95.

Molsari

Mimusops elangi

96.

Simaroubaceae

Maharukh

Ailanthus excelsa

97.

Tiliaceae

Dhaman

Grewia tiliaefolia

98.

Ulmaceae

Chirol

Holoptelea integrifolia

99.

Verbenaceae

Gamari

Gmelina arborea

100.

Morpaye

Vitex peduncularis

101.

Sagaun/Teak

Tectona grandis

Table 3 Trees in the Study area (Natural Vegetation).

Herbs: Total 37 herbaceous species belongs to 29 family (agricultural crops not included) were recorded from the study area enlisted in Table 4.

S. no.

Family

Vernacular name

Scientific name

1.

Acanthaceae

Maruadona

Strobilanthes callosus

2.

Amaranthaceae

Chirchita

Achyranthes aspera

3.

Anacardiaceae

Adusa

Adhatoda vasica

4.

Apocynaceae

Karonda

Carissa spinarum

5.

Kurchi

Holarrhena antidysenterica

6.

Asciepiadaceae

Oak

Calotropdis gigantea

7.

Berberidaceae

Sarkata

Argemone mexicana

8.

Cactaceae

Nagfani

Optuttia dillenii

9.

Capparidanceae

Heens

Capparis horrida

10.

Kareel

Capparis aphylla

11.

Celastraceae

Bekal

Gymnosporta montana

12.

Asteraceae

Gokhuru

Xanthium aspera

13.

Euphorbiaceae

Jhondharli

Antidesina ghacsehilla

14.

Chakhetan

Fluggca microcarpa

15.

Fabaceae 

Tarwar

Cassia auriculata

16.

Chumui

Mimosa rubicaulis

17.

Chipti

Desmodium pulchellum

18.

Fabaceae

Nirgud

Indigolera pulchella

19.

Tovara

Cassia tora

20.

Lamiaceae

Kala Bansa

Colebrookea oppositifolia

21.

Puwar

Vitex negundo

22.

Kora

Pogostemon plectranthoides

23.

Lythraceae

Dhawai

Woodfordia floribunda

24.

Malyaceae

Banakpas

Thespesia lampus

25.

Myrsinaceae

Babrang

Embelia robusta

26.

Myrtaceae

Jamun

Eugenia heyncana

27.

Rhamnaceae

Jharberi

Zityphtis rotundifolia

28.

Rutaceae

Ratanjot

Clausena pantaphylla

29.

Salicaceae

Bansa

Salix tetrasperama

30.

Sapindaceae

Khareta

Iodonoca visocosa

31.

Sterculiaceae

Marorfali

Helicteres isora

32.

Tamaricaceae

Jhau

Tamarix dioica

33.

Tiliaceae

Gursakari

Grewia hirsuta

34.

Bandi

Grewia scabrophylla

35.

Verbenaceae

Harsingar

Nyctanthes arbortristis

36.

Vitaceae

Hathi kand

Leea macrophylla

37.

Zygophyllaceae

Hingota

Balanites roxburghiii

Table 4 List of Herbaceous species observed in the Study area.

Creepers: Total 19 Creepers species belongs to 7families (agricultural crops not included) were recorded from the study area enlisted in Table 5.

S. no.

Family

Vernacular name

Scientific name

1.

Asclepiadaceae

Gudmar

Gymnema sylvestris

2.

Chikti

Marsdenia tenacissima

3.

 Combretaceae

Hathi Sandan

Combretum ovalifolia

4.

Peevarvel

Combreturn decandrum

5.

Dioscoreaceae

Baichandi

Dioscorea daemons

6.

Leguminosae

Kavach

Mucuna pruriens

7.

Karanj

Caesalpinia sepiaria

8.

Gaanj

Melletia auriculata

9.

Rathi

Abrus precatorius

10.

Gurar

Acacia cassia

11.

Palas Bel

Butea superba

12.

Mahul

Bauhinia vahlii

13.

Ravni

Acacia pennata

14.

Nasbel

Spatholobus roxbarghii

15.

Liliaceae

Agnishikha

Gloriosa superba

16.

Satavari

Asparagus racemosa

17.

Menispermaceae

Giloy

Tinospora cordifolia

18.

Rhamnaceae

Makoy

Zizyphus oenoplia

19.

Kevti

Ventilago calyculata

Table 5 List of Creepers observed in the Study area.

Grasses and parasitic plant: Total 22 grass species belongs to Gramineae family (agricultural crops not included) and fourparasitic plants belongs to threefamilies were recorded from the study area enlisted in Table 6.

S. no.

Family

Vernacular name

Scientific name

1.

Gramineae

Kus

Eragrostis nees

2.

Kusal

Heteropogon contortus

3.

Kunda

Ischaemum pilosum

4.

Kaus

Saccharum spointaneum

5.

Kush

Desmostachya bipinnata

6.

Khas

Vetiveria zizaniodes

7.

Gararu

Coix gigentea

8.

Gadela

Coix lacrymajobi

9.

Guner

Themada quadrivalvis

10.

Chikula

Chrysopogon montanus

11.

Chhir

Imperata cylindrica

12.

Dub

Cynodon dactylon

13.

Poniya

Schima sulcatum

14.

Phuli

Apluda varis

15.

Phusel

Iseilema laxum

16.

Phooli

Apluda mutica

17.

Baas

Dendracalamus strictus

18.

Katang baas

Bambusa bamboos

19.

Basu

Sorghum halepense

20.

Bhurbushi

Eragrostis tenella

21.

Marvel

Dichanthium annulatum

22.

Gather

Bothriochloa pertusa

23.

Sen

Cenchrus ciliaris

Parasitic plant

24.

Coonvolvulaceae

Amarbel

Cuscuta reflexa

25.

Orchidaceae

Archid

Vanda tessellata

26.

Loranthaceae

Banda

Vascum nepalense

27.

Bada

Dendrophthoe falcata

Table 6 List of Grasses and parasitic plant observed in the Study area.

Cultivated plants in the study area

The prevalent cropping systems of this area are the cumulative results of past and present decisions by individuals; these decisions are usually based on experience, tradition, expected profit, personal preferences and resources, and so on. The crop occupying the highest percentage of the sown area of this region is taken as the major crop and all other possible alternative crops, which are sown in this region either as substitutes of the base crop in the same season or as the crops which fit in the rotation in the subsequent season, are considered as minor crop. It is observed that, the different parts of the study area were practicing different crop pattern based on the season and availability of irrigation facility. The general crop patterns practiced in the study area were maize, wheat and others.

Major horticultural crops: Plantation of Chikku (Manilkara zapota), Kela (Musa sp.) Papaya (Carica papaya), Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) and mango trees (Mangifera indica) were observed at some localities. Mango trees (Mangifera indica) were observed adjacent to the residential area and also along the road side at almost all villages.

Major vegetable corps: The major vegetables grown in the study area were:

  1. Bhindi (Abelmoschus escelentus)
  2. Brinjal (Ringana Solanum melongena)
  3. Cabbage (Brassica oeraceae)
  4. Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum)
  5. Karela (Momordica charantia)

Pulses: The pulses cultivated in this region were Gram (Cicer arietinum); Mug (Vigna acontifolia), Arhar (Cajanus cajan).

Rare and endangered flora in the study area: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world. With its strong scientific base, the IUCN Red List is recognized as the most authoritative guide to the status of biological diversity. Out of 17000 species of higher plants known to occur in India, nearly 614 higher plant species were evaluated by IUCN. Among them 247 species are under threatened category (IUCN, 2008). As per list of 2012, plants seemed to be the most threatened life form with 60 species being listed as Critically Endangered and 141 as Endangered in India. Among the enumerated flora in the study area, none of them were assigned any threat category by Red data book of Indian Plants35‒40 and Red list of threatened Vascular plants.31

Endemic plants of the study area: De Candolle (1855), Swiss botanist, first used the concept of Endemic, which is defined as an area of a taxonomic unit, especially a species which has a restricted distribution or habitat, isolated from its surrounding region through geographical, ecological or temporal barriers. Out of 17000 species of known flowering plants of India nearly 5000 species are said to be endemic. Nearly 58 genera and 1932 taxa are found to be endemic to peninsular India.41‒49

The flora of India is one of the richest in the world due to the country's wide range of climate, topology, and environment. There are over 15,000 species of flowering plants in India which account for 6% of all plant species in the world. Many plant species are being destroyed, however, due to their prevalent removal. Roughly 1/4 of all plant species in the world are at risk of being endangered or going extinct. The combination of global warming and habitat destruction is the sole reason for the disappearance of many plants. Though there are thousands of interesting and unusual plants, here are some common plants which have become rare and endangered species in the past 30 years due to habitat destruction.

Among recorded plant species nonecan be assigned the status of endemic plant of this region. Tree community (Species-area) curves based on phytosociology fitted to the data may show unnatural shapes, with leveling-off or even decrease in sampling sizes higher than average. This distortion can be explained by the subjective, preferential method of field sampling used in phytosociology. When making releves in species-poor vegetation, one probably tends to use larger plots in order to include more species. The reason for this may be that a higher number of species gives a higher probability of including presumed diagnostic species, so that the releve can be more easily classified in the Braun-Blanquet classification system. This may has at least two consequences: in phytosociological data bases species-poor vegetation types are underrepresented or releves are artificially biased towards higher species richness; the suitability of phytosociological data for species richness estimation is severely limited.

  • Status of the forest, their category in study area: According to the Champion and Seth, the forest tropical high deciduous of this region fall into the following categories:
  1. 5A / CIII- Southern tropical dry Deciduous Mixed Forest.
  2. 5A / DSI- Southern tropical dry Deciduous Scrub (Degradation Stage).
  3. 5 / DS4- Southern tropical dry Deciduous Forest (Degradation Stage).

Following are the forest (WLS/RF/PF) has been recorded for the study area.

  1. Ratapani Wild Life Sanctuary
  2. Chakla RF
  3. Diwattiaya PF
  4. Gohar Ganj RF
  5. Obedullahganj PF
  6. Obedullahganj RF
  7. Budani PF
  8. Budani RF
  9. Ramnagar RF
  • Ratapani wildlife sanctuary

Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over an area of 1201.29 km2 is located in Raisen District in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is extremely rich in flora and fauna and harbours a number of endemic species. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in biodiversity. These wildlife areas are classified into semi-arid wildlife zone - IV B Gujarat Rajputana under Roger and Pawar classification. The sanctuary is inhabited by all the usual animals of the region, such as tiger (Panthera tigris) leopard (Panthera pardus), wolf (Canis lupus), Jackal (Canis aureus), Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis), Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) among carnivores and spotted deer (Axis axis), Sambhar (Cervus unicolor), Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Chinkara (Gazella bennetti), wild pig (Sus scrofa), Chowsingha (Tetracerus quadriconis) and blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra), amongst herbivores. Apart from these, crocodiles/gharials can also be seen in Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary contains 129 tree species, 73 herbs and shrubs species, 33 climbers and parasites, 35 grasses and bamboo species, 35 mammals, 205 birds, 14 fish, 33 reptiles and 10 species of amphibians have been recorded in Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (Table 7 & Table 8).

Corners

Latitude (N)

Longitude (E)

A

23º 2’ 21.742”

77º 20’ 9.817”

B

22º 48’ 58.759”

77º 25’ 39.132”

C

23º 8’ 30.593”

78º 16’ 31.158”

D

23º 17’ 47.545”

78º 12’ 19.342”

Table 7 Coordinates for Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Corners

Latitude (N)

Longitude (E)

A

23º 2’ 12.670”

77º 19’ 2.020”

B

22º 48’ 24.792”

77º 25’ 38.686”

C

23º 8’ 28.575”

78º 17’ 7.044”

D

23º 18’ 53.787”

78º 12’ 43.135”

Table 8 Coordinates for EcoSensitive Zone of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.

It is necessary to conserve and protect the area to the extent and boundaries of which is specified in paragraph 1 of this notification, around the protected area of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as Eco-sensitive zone from ecological, environmental and biodiversity point of view and to prohibit industries or class of industries and their operations and processes in the said Eco-sensitive Zone.

  • Extent and boundaries of eco-sensitive zone: The extent of Eco-sensitive Zone is one kilometer in the revenue area and two kilometer in the surrounding forest area from the boundary of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. The area of Eco sensitive Zone is 546.52 km2 which has 72 villages (Table 9).
  • Activities prohibited or to be regulated within the Eco-sensitive Zone
  • All activities in the Eco sensitive Zone shall be governed by the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) and the rules made there under including the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), 2011 and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 and other applicable laws including the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (69 of 1980), the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927), the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (53 of 1972), and amendments made thereto and be regulated in the manner specified.
  • Prohibited activates in eco sensitive zone
    • Commercial mining: All new and existing (minor and major minerals), stone quarrying and crushing units are prohibited with immediate effect except for meeting the domestic needs of bona fide local residents including digging of earth for construction or repair of houses and for manufacture of country tiles or bricks for housing and for other activities. The mining operations shall be carried out in accordance with the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 4th August, 2006 in the matter of T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. UOI in W.P.(C) No.202 of 1995 and dated 21.04.2014 in the matter of Goa Foundation Vs. UOI in W.P.(C) No.435 of 2012.
    • Setting of industries causing pollution (water, air, soil, noise, etc.): No new industries and expansion of existing polluting industries in the Eco-sensitive zone shall be permitted. Only non-polluting industries shall be allowed within ESZ as per classification of Industries in the Guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board in February 2016, unless so specified in this notification. In addition, non-polluting cottage industries shall be promoted.
    • Establishment of major hydroelectric project: Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per applicable laws.
    • Use or production or processing of any hazardous substances: Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per applicable laws:
    • Discharge of untreated effluents in natural water bodies or land area: Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per applicable laws:
    • Setting of new saw mills: No new or expansion of existing saw mills shall be permitted within the Eco-sensitive Zone.
    • Setting up of brick kilns: Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per applicable laws.
    • Use of polythene bags: Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per applicable laws.
    • Commercial use of firewood: Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per applicable laws.
    • New wood based industry: Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per applicable laws.
    • Fishing: Prohibited (except as otherwise provided) as per applicable laws.
  • Faunal biodiversity of study area
  • For the documentation of the faunal biodiversity of the study area with respect to birds, reptiles, amphibians, and butterfly species, a baseline survey had been conducted.

Birds: The sighting of bird species was very lass during the study period. The most commonly spotted bird species of this area were Eurasian Collared-Dove, Cattle Egret, Red-wattled Lapwing, Intermediate Egret, Rock Pigeon, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Bank Myna and Common Myna. Water birds are common near to Ratapani Lake. The Indian Peafowl was observed which is listed as schedule –I as per IWPA, 1972 and others listed as schedule IV as per IWPA, 1972.

Total 1,224 bird species reliably recorded from India, together with their status categories. In total there are 1219 extant native species including migrants and vagrants (but excluding 3 species now known to be extinct in the country and 2 introduced species). There are 923 breeding species (911 residents, plus 12 suspected residents). IUCN evaluated 1254 bird species from India and categorized 77 species as threatened (13 species as critically endangered, 10 species as Endangered and 54 species as Vulnerable). No one sighted birds were evaluated as near threatened by IUCN25 and Bird Life International.15 A taxon is Near Threatened, when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable categories, but is close to qualifying or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future. List of schedule -1 as per Wild life Protection Act 1972, species is given in the Table 10. Systematic account of the birds in the study area with the status of occurrence is given in the Table 11.

S. no.

Division

Village

1.

Bhopal

Rabiyawad

2.

Vurthi

3.

Prabadhan

4.

Stahphan

5.

Punha

6.

Banpur

7.

Obedullahganj

Alampur

8.

Amchha Kalan

9.

Amchha Khurd

10.

Ankalpur

11.

Baheria

12.

Bamhori

13.

Bamuila

14.

Bansgahan

15.

Bari

16.

Bhiyanpur

17.

Bineka

18.

Biptanagar

19.

Bithori

20.

Borpani

21.

Chora Kamraura

22.

Damdongri

23.

Dehgaon

24.

Dhabla

25.

Dimria

26.

Ghana Kalan

27.

Ghatpipaliya

28.

Ghoti

29.

Goripura

30.

Jalkhera

31.

Jatanpur

32.

Jet

33.

Karakbani

34.

Karitalai

35.

Kesalwara

36.

Khari

37.

Kumhariya

38.

Kumri

39.

Mahwakheri

40.

Mokalwara

41.

Nishankhera

42.

Nishankhera

43.

Niwari

44.

Panagar

45.

Ratanpur

46.

Tajpura

47.

Thanwari Ghatkheri

48.

Udayagiri

49.

Umariya

50.

Raisen

Bandral

51.

Jaipura

52.

Jamgarh

53.

Madhamau

54.

Padariya

55.

Samnapur

56.

Sehore

Amargarh

57.

Amdoh

58.

Babariakhal

59.

Bardha

60.

Barijhiri ka Pathar

61.

Budhni

62.

Imaliya

63.

Johliapur

64.

Karkadehri

65.

Kheri

66.

Maljhar

67.

Midghat

68.

Nadiakheda

69.

Neemwalakheda

70.

Patni

71.

Sirwara

72.

Yaarnagar

Table 9 List of Villages on Eco Sensitive Zone of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary

Species

As IWPA 1972

IUCN

CITES

Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus, Linnaeus, 1758)

Schedule I; Part –III; 11

Least Concern ver 3.1

Not listed

Table 10 Schedule –I Bird(s) of Study Area.

S. No.

Family

Vernacular name

Scientific name

Status

1.

Accipitridae

Black-winged kite

Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789)

R

2.

Black kite

Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783)

R

3.

Shikra

Accipiter badius (Gmelin, 1788)

V

4.

Changeable hawk-eagle

Nisaetus cirrhatus (Gmelin, 1788)

O

5.

Tawny eagle

Aquila rapax (Temminck, 1828)

E

6.

Crested serpent eagle

Spilornis cheela (Latham, 1790)

E

7.

Alaudidae

Ashy-crowned sparrow-lark

Eremopterix griseus (Kaup, 1836)

R

8.

Alcedinidae

Pied kingfisher

Ceryle rudis (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

9.

Common kingfisher

Alcedo atthis (Tucker and Health 1994)

R

10.

White-throated kingfisher

Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758)

V

11.

Black-capped kingfisher

Halcyon pileata (Boddaert, 1783)

R

12.

Anatidae

Eurasian teal

Anas crecca (Linnaeus, 1758)

O

13.

Northern shoveller

Anas clypeata (Linnaeus, 1758)

O

14.

Cotton teal

Nettapus coromandelianus (Gmelin, 1789)

R

15.

Knob-billed duck

Sarkidiornis melanotos (Pennant, 1769)

R

16.

Apodidae

Alpine swift

Tachymarptis melba (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

17.

Little swift

Apus affinis (JE Gray, 1830)

R

18.

Ardeidae

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

19.

Indian pond heron

Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832)

R

20.

Cattle egret

Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

21.

Little egret

Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

22.

Large egret

Egretta garzetta(Linnaeus, 1766)

R

23.

Artamidae

Ashy woodswallow

Artamus fuscus (Vieillot, 1817)

V

24.

Campephagidae

Small minivet

Pericrocotus cinnamomeus (Linnaeus, 1766)

W

25.

Scarlet minivet

Pericrocotus speciosus (Latham, 1790)

V

26.

Black-faced cuckooshrike

Coracina novaehollandiae (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

V

27.

Caprimulgidae

Indian nightjar

Caprimulgus asiaticus(Latham, 1790)

R

28.

Charadriidae

Red-wattled lapwing

Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783)

R

29.

Chloropseidae

Blue-winged leafbird

Chloropsis cochinchinensis (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

R

30.

Ciconiidae

White stork

Ciconia ciconia (Swinhoe, 1873)

W

31.

Cisticolidae

Ashy prinia

Prinia socialis (Sykes, 1832)

V

32.

Columbidae

Grey-fronted quail-dove

Geotrygon caniceps (Gundlach, 1852)

R

33.

Yellow-footed green pigeon

Treron phoenicoptera (Latham, 1790)

R

34.

Rock pigeon

Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789)

R

35.

Eurasian collared dove

Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838)

R

36.

Spotted dove

Spilopelia chinensis (Scopoli, 1786)

R

37.

Coraciidae

Indian roller

Coracias benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

38.

Corvidae

Jungle crow

Corvus macrorhynchos (Wagler, 1827)

R

39.

Cuculidae

Common hawk-cuckoo

Hierococcyx varius (Vahl, 1797)

R

40.

Koel

Eudynamys scolopaceus (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

41.

Greater coucal

Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815)

R

42.

Dicaeidae

Fire-breasted flowerpecker

Dicaeum ignipectus (Blyth, 1843)

V

43.

Dicruridae

Fork-tailed drongo

Dicrurus adsimilis (Bechstein, 1794)

R

44.

White-bellied drongo

Dicrurus caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

45.

Greater racket-tailed drongo

Dicrurus paradiseus (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

46.

Estrildidae

Red avadavat

Amandava amandava (Horsfield, 1821)

V

47.

Tricoloured munia

Lonchura malacca (Linnaeus, 1766)

O

48.

Gruidae

Common crane

Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

49.

Sarus crane

Grus Antigone (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

50.

Hirundinidae

Wire-tailed swallow

Hirundo smithii (Leach, 1818)

S

51.

Laniidae

Long-tailed shrike

Lanius schach (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

52.

Leiothrichidae

Jungle babbler

Turdoides striata (Dumont, 1823)

R

53.

Megalaimidae

Crimson-fronted barbet

Megalaima rubricapilla (Gmelin, 1788)

R

54.

Meropidae

Green bee-eater

Merops orientalis (Latham, 1801)

R

55.

Blue-tailed bee-eater

Merops philippinus (Linnaeus, 1767)

R

56.

Motacillidae

Grey wagtail

Motacilla cinerea (Tunstall, 1771)

R

57.

White wagtail

Motacilla alba (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

58.

White-browed wagtail

Motacilla maderaspatensis (Gmelin, 1789)

R

59.

Western Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flava (Linnaeus, 1758)

V

60.

Muscicapidae

Tickell's blue flycatcher

Cyornis tickelliae (Blyth, 1843)

R

61.

Black redstart

Phoenicurus ochruros (Gmelin, 1774)

S

62.

African stonechat

Saxicola torquatus (Shelley, 1885)

W

63.

Pied bush chat

Saxicola caprata (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

64.

Blue-capped rock thrush

Monticola cinclorhyncha (Vigors, 1831)

R

65.

Oriental magpie-robin

Copsychus saularis (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

66.

Indian robin

Saxicoloides fulicatus (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

67.

Nectariniidae

Purple sunbird

Cinnyris asiaticus ((Latham, 1790)

R

68.

Oriolidae

Eurasian golden oriole

Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus, 1758)

O

69.

Passeridae

House sparrow

Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

70.

Phalacrocoracidae

Little Cormorant

Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot, 1817)

V

71.

Large Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758)

V

72.

Phasianidae

Black Partridge

Francolinus francolinus (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

73.

Grey francolin

Francolinus pondicerianus (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

V

74.

Jungle bush quail

Perdicula asiatica (Latham, 1790)

R

75.

Red spurfowl

Galloperdix spadicea (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

R

76.

Red junglefowl

Gallus gallus (Linnaeus, 1758)

O

77.

Indian peafowl

Pavo cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

78.

Picidae

Black-rumped flameback

Dinopium benghalense (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

79.

Yellow fronted pied woodpecker

Leiopicus mahrattensis (Latham, 1801)

R

80.

Pittidae

Indian pitta

Pitta brachyuran (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

81.

Ploceidae

Baya weaver

Ploceus philippinus (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

82.

Psittacidae

Alexandrine parakeet

Psittacula eupatria (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

83.

Rose-ringed parakeet

Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769)

R

84.

Blossom-headed parakeet

Psittacula roseate ( Biswas, 1951)

R

85.

Pycnonotidae

Red-vented bulbul

Pycnonotus cafer ((Linnaeus, 1766)

R

86.

Recurvirostridae

Black-winged stilt

Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

87.

Rhipiduridae

White-browed fantail

Rhipidura aureola (Lesson, 1831)

W

88.

Rostratulidae

Greater painted-snipe

Rostratula benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

89.

Scolopacidae

Common redshank

Tringa tetanus (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

90.

Common snipe

Gallinago gallinago (Linnaeus, 1758)

W

91.

Sittidae

Indian nuthatch

Sitta castanea (Lesson, 1830)

S

92.

Strigidae

Eurasian eagle-owl

Bubo bubo (Linnaeus, 1758)

O

93.

Jungle owlet

Glaucidium radiatum (Tickell, 1833)

O

94.

Sturnidae

Chestnut-tailed starling

Sturnia malabarica (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

V

95.

Brahminy starling

Sturnia pagodarum ((Gmelin, JF, 1789)

V

96.

Pied myna

Gracupica contra (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

97.

Jungle myna

Acridotheres fuscus (Wagler, 1827)

R

98.

Common myna

Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766)

R

99.

Threskiornithidae

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

100.

Timaliidae

White-browed scimitar babbler

Pomatorhinus schisticeps (Hodgson, 1836)

R

101.

Upupidae

Hoopoe

Upupa epops (Linnaeus, 1758)

R

Table 11 Systematic Lists of Birds in the Study Area with Status.

R, resident; V, vagrant; S, summer only; W, winter only; P, spring; O, occurs most years; VS, Vagrant summer; VP, Vagrant passage; PB, Passage and breeds; PW, Passage and winter; E, Escape

Butterflies from the study area: Butterflies from three families observed during the present study are documented in the Table 12.

Family

Scientific Name

Common name

Relative abundance

Papilionidae

Papilio polytes Linnaeus

Common Mormon

Common

Pieridae

Eurema hecabe Linnaeus

Common Grass yellow

Very Common

Ixias Marianne Cramer

White orange tip

Common

Nymphalidae

Danaus chrysippus Linnaeus

Plain Tiger

Common

Danaus genutia Cramer

Striped Tiger

Common

Phalantha phalantha Drury

Common Leopard

Fairy Common

Hypolimnas misippus Linnaeus

Danaid egg fly

Common

Mycalesis perseus Fabricius

Common bush brown

Uncommon

Cynthia cardui Linnaeus

Painted Lady

Uncommon

Junonia hierta Fabricius

Yellow pansy

Common

Junonia orithya Linnaeus

Blue pansy

Fairy Common

Table 12 Butterflies in the Study Area.

Herpetofauna: In amphibian group, thetoads were sighted during the study period. The reptiles Common Garden Lizard, House Gecko, Fan-Throated Lizard, Common rat Snake, Indian Monitor, Crocodile, etc. were observed in the region is given in the Table 13.

S. no.

Family

Common Name

Scientific name

Schedule as IWPA, 1972

1

Agamidae

Common Garden Lizard

Calotes versicolor (Cuvier, 1817)

Not listed

2

Fan-Throated Lizard

Sitana ponticeriana (Cuvier, 1817)

Not listed

3

Bufonidae

Toad

Bufo bufo (Gray 1825)

Not listed

4

Chamaeleonidae 

Indian chameleon

Chameleon calcaratus (Rafinesque, 1815)

Schedule II

5

Colubridae

Common Rat Snake

Ptyas mucosus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Schedule II

6

Crocodylidae

Crocodile

Crocodle crocodylus (Cuvier, 1807)

Schedule I; Part II 1D

7

Elapidae

Common Indian Krait*

Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider, 1801)

Schedule II

8

Indian Cobra*

 Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758)

Schedule II

9

Gekkonidae

House Gecko

 Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Ruppell, 1835)

Not listed

10

Pythonidae

Rock Python

Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Schedule II

11

Scincidae

Brahminy Skink*

Mabuya carinata (Schneider, 1801)

Not listed

12

Varanidae

Indian Monitor

Varanus benghalensis (Daudin, 1802)

Schedule II

13

Viperidae

Russel Viper*

Vipera russelli (Shaw & Nodder, 1797)

Schedule II

Table 13 Reptiles and Amphibian in the Study Area.

*Not sighted but included as per the secondary information from the villagers

Mammals: The wild mammals observed other than the domesticated ones are given in the Table 14.

S. No.

Family

Scientific name

Common name

Status as per IWPA 1972

1.

Antilopinae

Antilope cervicapra (Linnaeus, 1758)

Black buck

Schedule – I; Part –I; 2

2.

Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766)

Blue bull

Schedule-III

3.

Tetracerus quadricornis (de Blainville, 1816)

Four horned Antilope

Schedule – I; Part –I; 8A

4.

Cervus unicolor (Kerr, 1792)

Sambhar

Schedule - III

5.

Bovidae

Gazella bennetti (Sykes, 1831)

Chinkara

Schedule – I; Part –I; 5B

6.

Canidae

Canis aureus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Jackal

Schedule - II

7.

Vulpes benghalensis (Shaw, 1800)

Indian fox

Schedule - II

8.

Cuon alpines (Pallas, 1811)

Wild Dog/Dhole

Schedule - II

9.

Axis axis (Erxleben, 1777)

Spotted deer

Schedule - III

10.

Circopthecidae

Macaca mulata (Zimmermann, 1780)

Rhesus macaque

Schedule - II

11.

Cotobidae

Presbytis entellus (Dufresne, 1797)

Common Languor

Schedule - II

12.

Einaceidae

Hemiechinus aurutus (Gmelin, 1770)

Hedgehog

Schedule - IV

13.

Felidae

Panthera tigris (Linnaeus, 1758)

Tiger

Schedule - I; Part-I; 39

14.

Panthera pardus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Panther/Leopard

Schedule - I; Part-I; 16B

15.

Felis chaus (Schreber, 1777)

Common Jungle cat

Schedule - II

16.

Herpestidae

Herpestes edwardsii (É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818)

Common Mongoose

Schedule - II

17.

Hyaenidae

Hyaena hyaena (Linnaeus, 1758)

Striped hyena

Schedule - III

18.

Hystricidae

Hystrix indica (Kerr, 1792)

Common Indian Porcupine

Schedule IV

19.

Leporidae

Lepus nigricollis (F. Cuvier, 1823)

Common Indian Hare

Schedule IV

20.

Manidae

Manis crassicaudata (É. Geoffroy, 1803)

Scaly ant eater

Schedule-I; Part-I; 28

21.

Muridae

Bandicota benghalensis (Gray, 1835)

Field Rat

Not listed

22.

Golunda ellioti (Gray, 1837)

The Indian bush rat

Not listed

23.

Mustelidae

Mellivora capensis (Schreber, 1776)

Indian Ratel/Honey Badger

Schedule-I; Part-I; 29

24.

Pteropodidae

Cynopterus sphinx (Vahl, 1797)

Shot nosed fruit bat

Schedule V

25.

 

Pteropus giganteus (Brünnich, 1782)

Indian Flying fox

Schedule IV

26.

Sciuridae

Funambulus Pennanti (Wroughton, 1905)

Common 5 Striped Squirrel

Schedule IV

27.

Suidae

Sus scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758)

Wild Boar

Schedule - II

28.

Ursidae

Melursus ursinus (Shaw, 1791)

Sloth Bear

Schedule-I; Part-I; 31C

Table 14 Mammals in Study Area.

Domestic Animals: The domestic animals viz. dog, cow, buffalo, goat, sheep and chicken observed in the study area.

Insects like Wasps, Honeybees and Signature spider was also recorded.

Fisheries: Narmada River is Major River in the study area, one lake e. Ratapani Water Lake and Natural Drain (Gadariya Nala) are the water bodies in the study area. The fishes observed in study area are listed in Table 15.

S. no.

Family

Common name

Scientific name

1

Bagridae

Singhad

Mystus seenghala (Nelson 2006)

2

Aur

Mystus aor (Hamilton, 1822)

3

Bleekeri*

Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877)

4

Cavacius

Mystus cavasius (Hamilton, 1822)

5

Gengra*

Rita rita (F. Hamilton, 1822)

6

Channidae

Samval (Saul)

Channa marulius (F. Hamilton, 1822)

7

Samval (Kabra)

Channa striata (Bloch, 1793)

8

Samval*

Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793)

9

Karra*

Channa gachua (F. Hamilton, 1822)

10

Cyprinidae

Katla (Komal, Bhakhar)

Catla catla (Heckel, 1843)

11

Rohu

Labco rohita (F. Hamilton, 1822)

12

Mrigal (Narain)

Cirrhosis mregala (Bloch, 1795)

13

Siluridae

Padin

Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

14

Gangarwar (Pabda)*

Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch, 1794)

15

Sisoridae

Andus*

Bagarius bagarius (Hamilton, 1822)

Table 15 List of Fishes reported from the Study area.

*not seen directly

Rare and endangered fauna of study area: The IUCN Red List is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world. With its strong scientific base, the IUCN Red List is recognized as the most authoritative guide to the status of biological diversity. IUCN, (2008) has evaluated 1976 animal species from India, among them 313 have in recognized as threatened species. Among them one species is considered as extinct, while 44 species are in critically endangered (CR) category, 88 is in endangered category (EN), while 181 is considered as vulnerable (VU). Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, amended on 17th January 2003, is an Act to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental security of the country. Total 10 species of the sighted fauna were given protection under Schedule –I by the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 listed in Table 16 (Figure 10).

S. no.

Scientific name

Common name

Schedule as per (WPA, 1972)

IUCN category

CITES listing

1

Panthera tigris

Tiger

Schedule-I; Part-I; 39

Endangered A2abcd; C1 ver 3.1

Appendix I

2

Manis crassicaudata

Scaly ant eater

Schedule-I; Part-I; 28

Endangered A3d+4d ver 3.1

Appendix I

3

Panthera pardus

Panther/Leopard

Schedule-I; Part-I; 16B

Vulnerable A2cd ver 3.1

Appendix I

4

Melursus ursinus

Sloth Bear

Schedule-I; Part-I; 31C

Vulnerable A3c ver 3.1

Appendix I

5

Tetracerus quadricornis

Four horned Antilope

Schedule-I; Part-I; 8A

Vulnerable C2a(i) ver 3.1

Appendix III

6

Gazella gazellabennetti

Chinkara

Schedule-I; Part-I; 5B

Least Concern ver 3.1

Appendix III

7

Antilope cervicapra

Black buck

Schedule-I; Part-I; 2

Least Concern ver 3.1

Appendix III

8

Mellivora capensis

Indian Ratel

Schedule-I; Part-I; 29

Least Concern ver 3.1

Appendix III

9

Pavo cristatus

Indian Peafowl

Schedule-I; Part-III;11

Least Concern ver 3.1

Not listed

10

Crocodle crocodylus

Crocodile

Schedule I; Part II 1D

Not Assessed yet

Not listed

Table 16 List of Schedule –I Fauna observed During the Survey. Colors are indicating the state of conservation in accordance with IUCN.

Figure 10Representation of Risk of Extinction as per IUCN.

Recommendations and conclusion

The study area is ecologically sensitive having protected and reserved forest and notified wildlife sanctuary. The railway track is passing through Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary which has rich biodiversity and endangered species. These wildlife areas are classified into semi-arid wildlife zone-IVB Gujarat Rajputana under Roger and Pawar classification. The sanctuary is inhabited by all the usual animals of the region, such as tiger (Panthera tigris) leopard (Panthera pardus), wolf (Canis lupus), Jackal (Canis aureus), Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis), Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) among carnivores and spotted deer (Axis axis), Sambhar (Cervus unicolor), Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Chinkara (Gazella bennetti), Wild pig (Sus scrofa), Chowsingha (Tetracerus quadriconis) and Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra), amongst herbivores. Apart from these, crocodiles/gharials can also be seen in Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary contains 129 tree species, 73 herbs and shrubs species, 33 climbers and parasites, 35 grasses and bamboo species, 35 mammals, 205 birds, 14 fish, 33 reptiles and 10 species of amphibians have been recorded in Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Panthera tigris (Tiger) and Manis crassicaudata (Scaly ant eater) are endangered species listed by IUCN and protected under Schedule -1 as per Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Panthera pardus (Leopard), Melursus ursinus (Sloth Bear) and Tetracerus quadricornis (Four horned Antilope) are vulnerable species listed by IUCN and protected under Schedule -1. Other species protected under schedule -1 are Gazella gazellabennetti (Chinkara), Antilope cervicapra (Black buck), Mellivora capensis (Indian Ratel), Crocodle crocodylus (Crocodile) and one bird Pavo cristatus (Indian Peafowl). The illegal tree cutting by villagers and contractors was observed during study. The 8 tiger death was reported by RFO last year (2016-17) on Railway track. The major reason was in search of food i.e. Monkey. The people travelling in train are disposing food items and people working in pantry are also used to dispose the waste food in the forest. The food item attract to monkeys and they are killed by running train on railway track, the blood and meat of money attract to tigers/panthers and also they were killed by running train on railway track mostly in night.

It is strongly recommended to prepare the conservation plan for schedule -1 Fauna (listed 9 animals and 1 bird) and it is ensure to implement the conservation plan during construction and operation phase of railway track. Moreover, there is an urgent need of public awareness for the importance of wildlife, as illegal hunting, killing or capturing of wild animals was recorded from locals living in the forest and nearby villagers. People coming from outside are giving the greed of money and other necessary provision to villagers for hunting. It’s an environmental crime against the natural resources.50‒60

Acknowledgements

None.

Conflict of interest

Authors declare there is no conflict of interest in publishing the article.

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