2 weeks Ago
Pune: The wildlife wing of the Pune forest division will soon introduce a conservation and management project for all mesocarnivores that dominate the food chain in the grassland habitat of the region. The department is primarily looking at conserving five prominent carnivores — Indian grey wolves , jackals, hyenas, foxes, and civets. Along with this, the division will study the impact of the leopard population on the mesocarnivores.
"Earlier, we focused on habitat restoration, but now our focus will remain on species in the grasslands, expanding across Baramati, Solapur, Indapur, Daund, and Ahmednagar," deputy conservator of forests (wildlife) Tushar Chavan said. For the Indian giant squirrel and chinkaras, the department will look at habitat restoration, population surveys, and methods that would need to be established to conserve them. The chinkaras in Mayureshwar and grassland habitats will be given special attention due to the increased threats from dogs.
In relation to the mesocarnivores, the department is currently conducting a survey to determine the population, area, and density of the all grasslands. It is to be completed by Oct-end following which drone mapping will be carried out. "We will look at the conservation of packs, focusing on the dens and mainly the pups.
We will also check the impact of tourism on these animals," said Chavan. The department will also look at vaccination possibilities for the wolves and utilise them to prevent diseases such as canine distemper and rabies. Considering the largest carnivore conflict in the region for wolves and other mesocarnivores is with the livestock of the community the Dhangar community will be involved for conservation and also for awareness programmes.
"The grasslands are shrinking, and people are starting cultivation on the hillocks as well. There is no land left for these species. If we do not pay attention to the mesocarnivores, especially wolves, which are near-threatened currently, the rate at which their population will decline is going to multiply rapidly, even faster compared to the big cats.
Currently, the project proposals have been submitted to the chief wildlife warden and will be conducted once we receive the approval," said Chavan..
