WTI

Publications

Conservation Action Reports

BEYOND THE BAN
A census of shahtoosh workers in Jammu & Kashmir

A report on the census of Shahtoosh workers in Jammu & Kashmir conducted by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

BIODIVERSITY, LIVELIHOODS AND THE LAW
The case of the "Jogi-Nath" snake charmers of India
Field research and report with recommendations to policy makers on the livelihoods of the 'Jogi Nath' snake charmer community in India.

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GOATS ON THE BORDER (revised edition)
A rapid assessment of the Pir Panjal Markhor in Jammu & Kashmir - Distribution, Status & Threats

A first ever survey of the markhor was jointly conducted by the Wildlife Trust of India, the J&K Forest department, and the Nature Conservation Foundation with support from the Ecology and Environment Cell of the Indian Army. The elusive and endangered Pir Panjal markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis) inhabits an area exposed to conflicts, disputes, shelling and casualties. Between 280 and 330 markhor were estimated in an area covering three wildlife sanctuaries and one conservation reserve during a rapid assessment survey carried out in hostile terrain over two and a half months. This survey also marks the launch of the Schaller Conservation Surveys by the Wildlife Trust of India. View Report (1.69 MB)

MOUNTAIN MIGRANTS
Survey of Tibetan Antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) and Wild Yak (Bos grunniens) in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India
A joint survey undertaken primarily by the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir and the Wildlife Trust of India, has established the presence of chiru (or Tibetan antelope) and wild yak in two areas of Ladakh and also estimated their numbers. Recommendations for their conservation have also been made in this report.

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PREDATOR ALERT
Attacks on humans by leopards and Asiatic black bears in the Kashmir valley - Analysis of case studies and spatial patterns of elevated conflict
The sudden increase in human-wildlife conflict in Jammu & Kashmir has caused immense loss to human life and property which has translated into a public outcry. The government on its part has been concerned and instituted a study conducted jointly by the Wildlife Trust of India and the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir. The purpose of this study was to suggest measures which could be employed to reduce this conflict. Over 200 victims were interviewed and over a hundred locations visited and inspected. This report presents the findings of the survey and suggests both short term and long term measures to improve the situation vis-à-vis human-wild animal conflict by addressing issues like human welfare, community participation, infrastructural development and improved capacity.
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THE GROUND BENEATH THE WAVES
Post-tsunami impact assessment of wildlife and their habitats in India
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), along with their collaborators conducted rapid assessment surveys in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to review the ground situation in the tsunami hit areas.
Each volume of this Conservation Action Report documents several useful recommendations for ecological restoration and re-construction activities on the mainland and the islands, respectively.

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TURNING THE TIDE
The campaign to save Vhali, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in Gujarat

A decade ago, the world's largest fish, the whale shark, was slaughtered commercially in large numbers along the coast of Gujarat in western India. The hunting continued even after its listing in the Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, in 2001. However, three years of concerted campaigning since 2004, by Wildlife Trust of India-International Fund for Animal Welfare, Tata Chemicals Limited and the Gujarat Forest Department, has turned Gujarat's whale shark hunters into its protectors. The threatened fish is now celebrated as an icon and called 'Vhali' - the dear one.
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WALKING THE BEARS
Rehabilitation of Asiatic black bears in Arunachal Pradesh

Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is threatened due to hunting and habitat loss throughout its distribution range in Asia. One of the consequences of legal and illegal hunting of adult bears is the displacement of cubs in large numbers. The popular way of addressing the issue of an appropriate placement option for orphaned bear cubs in many temperate countries has been rehabilitating them to the wild. The Asiatic black bear rehabilitation project initiated jointly by the Wildlife Trust of India and the Department of Environment and Forests, Arunachal Pradesh in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2003 was the first instance of bear rehabilitation being taken up in India. This conservation action report documents in detail the project's objectives, the protocols followed and the lessons learnt from the successful rehabilitation of bear cubs.
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Conservation Reference Series

BACK TO THE WILD
Studies in Wildlife Rehabilitation

Fragmentation, degradation and destruction of India's wildlife habitats have reduced the living space for wild animals. Natural calamities like forest fires, floods and cyclones have further compounded their problems, hindering their movement to safer habitats. The result of such man-made pressures and natural calamities is animals getting displaced from their habitats, necessitating human intervention. This publication describes the major issue of wildlife displacement in India arising due to man-wildlife conflict, the possible options for placement of different species, and the problems and prospects of taking up rehabilitation as a possible mitigation strategy. View Report (1.77 MB)

BRINGING BACK MANAS
Conserving the forest and wildlife of the Bodoland Territorial Council

Over the last few years, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has been assisting the Assam Forest Department and the Bodoland Territorial Council in bringing back Manas to its former glory. This includes strengthening its anti-poaching apparatus, bringing back key flagships such as the rhino and the elephant in pioneering rehabilitation projects and building capacity through technical workshops. In a parallel project supported by the British High Commission, WTI and IFAW have assisted the Bodoland Territorial Council in conceptualising, demarcating and declaring Greater Manas, a doubling of the size of the effective protected area system. This report is a chronicle of the work in these projects over the past five years and also a reference for the Greater Manas ecosystem. View Report (8.46 MB)

CANOPIES AND CORRIDORS
Conserving the forest of Garo Hills with elephant and gibbon as flagships

The Balphakram and Nokrek protected areas are the two ecological crown jewels of the Garo Hills. The two are connected tenuously by forest along the spine of the Garo Hills much of which is akhin owned, private community forests and jhummed land. Wildlife still flourishes here and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) with the World Land Trust, British High Commission and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has worked with the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and the Meghalaya Forest Department in preserving these representative forests of the Garo Hills using an innovative protection mechanism. This report documents the declaration of village reserves in the Garo Hills - the Selbelgre Village Reserve forest to protect gibbons and the Siju-Aretika Village Reserve forest and Rewak Kosigre Village Reserve to secure a critical elephant corridor that was earlier identified by WTI and IFAW with support from the US Fish and Wildlife Services. Gibbons are canopy dependent species and elephants require terrestrial corridors for their nomadic existence; two appropriate flagships for preserving the linkages that connect the wildlife protected areas of the Garo Hills. View Report (11.1 MB)

COMMENTARIES ON WILDLIFE LAW
Cases, Statutes & Notifications

This book (online edition) is in response to a need felt by field level forest and enforcement officers, lawyers, NGOs, activists and civil society in dealing with legal issues related to forests and wildlife. It is a well known fact that effective prosecution of offenders is greatly hampered due to lack of access to laws, and specifically case laws on forest and wildlife issues. This book is a compilation of some of the most significant orders of the Supreme Court and the High Courts on the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in a single volume for ready reference. Visit site

PAKKE PACHYDERMS
Ecology and Conservation of Asian Elephants in Kameng Elephant Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh

Kameng Elephant Reserve is located in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh and is one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world. Contiguous with the Sonitpur Elephant Reserve in Assam, it forms a part of North Bank Elephant Range which is home to about 2700-3000 elephants. This report is the first detailed account of the distribution, threats and conservation status of the Asian elephant in the Kameng Elephant Reserve. Based out of a field station in Seijosa, Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, this project has over seven years analysed the extent of man-animal conflict in the area and implemented mitigating measures.
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POISONS AND THE PACHYDERM
Responding to Poisoning in Asian elephants: A field guide

With a variety of synthetic poisons, pesticides and herbal toxins available, elephants have been at the receiving end in the last few years. Veterinarians, para-vet, wildlife managers and conservationists across India are facing situations where they need to react rapidly to cases of elephant poisoning. This reference volume, which lists out every known poison affecting Asian elephants, its symptoms, effects and antidotes, will thus prove handy to all those dealing with poisoned elephants, primarily to save them, and if not, to at least know, what killed them.
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RIGHT OF PASSAGE
Elephant Corridors of India

Elephants are large-bodied nomads. Surviving in the fragmented habitat that they have at their disposal in India today would necessitate crossing human-dominated landscapes. This publication, brings together for the first time, a comprehensive listing of India's elephant corridors as listed and mapped by elephant experts, and certified by all state forest departments that are part of elephant range in the country. Securing these corridors so that elephants and other species can locally migrate between habitats is crucial to their survival. Developmental plans in these regions must take the elephants also into consideration. This will ensure species survival, lessen conflict and ensure holistic conservation.
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WIlDLIFE LAW
A Ready Reckoner

As India's swelling population exerts myriad pressures on its shrinking natural heritage, the character of forest management and government is rapidly changing. It is therefore important that the guardians of the wild are better equipped to deal with the changing realities. This Ready Reckoner is a part of the series of manuals being brought out by the Wildlife Trust of India's Van Rakshak Programme to enhance the skills of the forest staff, and others concerned with enforcement.
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Occasional Reports

AGAINST THE CURRENT
Otters in the river Cauvery, Karnataka

Two species of otter are found along the River Cauvery. While the Oriental small-clawed otter inhabits the forested stretches of the river in the upper reaches, the smooth-coated otter inhabits the lower tracts. Limiting human disturbances along these stretches and curbing the poaching of otters and illegal trade in pelts are vital for the conservation of otter populations in this region.

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AWAITING ARRIBADDA
Protection of Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) and their habitat at Rushikulya Rookery in Orissa
The mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles (lepidochelys olivacea) along the coast of the eastern indian state of Orissa is affected by anthropogenic pressures. The six-kilometer beach at Rushikulya is an important roorkery that was the focus of this Rapid Action Project to protect the eggs, hatchlings and the habitat of the Olive Ridley Turtles.

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BAIT AND WATCH
Popularisation of alternatives to dolphin oil among fishermen for the conservation of the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) in Bihar

The endangered Ganges River Dolphin, already threatened with extinction due to shrinking habitat was under added threat because of its oil that was used by fisherman as an attractant to commercially useful fish. The author’s discovery of an alternative oil from fish scraps gave a new lease of life to the Ganges River dolphin. This is a report on the Rapid Action Project to popularise the alternative fish attractant among fishermen in Bihar. View Report (2.76 MB)

CAPTIVE CONCERNS
Health and Management of Captive Elephants in Jaipur

Of the 5000 captive elephants in India, a 100-odd live in the city of Jaipur, catering to tourists, under conditions that are greatly different from their natural habitat. Lack of green fodder and adequate water leads to health problems, which were addressed by a team of veterinarians at a health camp conducted over three days in Jaipur. This Occasional Report brings to light major issues concerning captive elephants and recommends measures to prevent and alleviate some of these.
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CARNIVORE CONFLICT
Support provided to leopards involved in conflict-related cases in Maharashtra

An Occasional Report based on two Wildlife Trust of India Rapid Action Projects supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and conducted by the Kaati Trust. This report documents the technical and veterinary support provided to the Maharashtra Forest Department during the capture and translocation of leopards from conflict areas. It recommends science-based action keeping in mind the ecology of the species.
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CRANE CAPITAL
Conservation strategy for sarus crane (Grus antigone) habitats in Etawah and Mainpuri districts, Uttar Pradesh
The Sarus is one of India’s most charismatic yet threatened birds. This WTI report chronicles the fight through litigation to save the largest breeding grounds of the species in the world and advocates a community - state participatory model that can help save the Etawah and Mainpuri wetlands of Uttar Pradesh.

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DEADLY TRACKS
A scientific approach to understanding and mitigating elephant mortality due to train hits in Assam

Railways and highways are a source of wildlife mortality throughout the world. At least thirty-five elephants lost their life due to train hits in Assam between 1990 and May 2006. The frequency of such accidents was highest in Kamrup (East) Forest Division. This report throws light on the issue of elephant mortality due to train hits in Assam and provides recommendations to deal with the same.
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DOG AND BULL
An investigation into carnivore-human conflict in and around Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh

Globally, carnivores face many threats including habitat modification and fragmentation, diminishing prey base, poaching for skin, bones and claws and direct persecution by people following attack on livestock. As a free ranging livestock found only across north-east India, Mithun (Bos gaurus frontalis) a semi-domestic bovid is susceptible to predation causing economic loss to the villagers. The villagers retaliate by killing the predators ‘thought’ to be responsible for the depredation. This survey attempts to identify the causes of conflict, incorporating socio-economic and livelihood strategies of local communities, status of mithun, predators and wild prey. It also identifies methods for documentation and compares and reviews methodologies adopted to investigate the status of forest and relative abundance of wild prey and predator and their influences on carnivore-human conflict.
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ELEPHANTS IN EXILE
A rapid assessment of the Human-Elephant Conflict in Chhattisgarh
Large-scale open-cast mining is one of the prime reasons for the destruction of elephant habitat in Jharkhand. As a result, the elephants from such dispossessed habitats have managed to move into new territories in Chhattisgarh. A Rapid Survey conducted over two weeks throws light on this issue and suggests preliminary methods to manage elephants in Chhattisgarh

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FAIR CONCERN
Health and management of captive elephants in Sonpur
Elephants remain a special attraction at Asia’s largest cattle fair that happens at Sonpur in the Eastern Indian state of Bihar each year during November and December. A health camp for captive elephants has been organised by the Wildlife Trust of India and the International Fund of Animal Welfare each year since 2001, where elephants are examined and treated and their owners are educated and made aware about the welfare of their animals. This publication reports on the four health camps for captive elephants held at Sonpur from the years 2001 to 2004. View Report (7.58 MB)

GANESHA TO BIN LADEN
Human-Elephant Conflict in Sonitpur District of Assam

It took the deaths of 22 elephants by poisoning in 2001 and 2002 to draw attention to the prevailing human-elephant conflict in the north eastern state of Assam. The conflict had reached such proportions around Nameri National Park that the elephant, that was once revered as Ganesha by the villagers, had now turned tormentor that deserved to be eliminated. An investigation that was carried out in the region looked into reasons for the declining tolerance of the villagers and recommended immediate measures, as well as, a long-term strategy to tackle this problem.
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HEALING TOUCH
Health and Management of Captive Elephants at Kaziranga Elephant festivals
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has been conducting special health camps for captive elephants since 2001. Captive Elephant Care, which is part of the Captive Wildlife Welfare division, is one of the first welfare projects of WTI’s Wild Rescue programme. This report brings to light the health status of captive elephants that came to the three health camps organised between 2003 to 2005 during the annual elephant festival in Kaziranga.

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HUNT FOR HANGUL
Establishing the presence of Hangul outside Dachigam National Park, Jammu & Kashmir

While hangul conservation has traditionally centered around Dachigam National Park, historically there have been significant populations outside the park. The hangul population, meanwhile, has been dwindling in Dachigam. It was, therefore, imperative to identify remnant satellite populations of the species for conservation. The survey found that five sites around Dachigam indeed have some hangul. Other areas too present possibilities. Three probable habitats have now been identified for surveys in winter.
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INDIA AT THE INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION (IWC)
A policy document on India's involvement in the IWC 1981-2003
India has been important voice for whale conservation since joining the International Whaling Commission in 1981. This WTI-IFAW joint report is a verbatim record of the role played by India in the International Whaling Commission. It is also intended as a briefing booklet for officials and NGOs who may attend such meetings in the future so that the historical context to any Indian intervention is well known.

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JUMBO EXPRESS
A scientific approach to understanding and mitigating elephant mortality due to train accidents in Rajaji National Park
An occasional Report by Wildlife trust of india and the international Fund for Animal Welfare of a Rapid Action Project on Understanding the Mitigating the Problem of Elephant Mortality due to Train Hits in Rajaji National Park.

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LIVING AT THE EDGE
Rapid survey for the endangered Ladakh urial (Ovis vignei vignei) in Leh district of Ladakh trans-Himalaya
An Occasional Report of a Conservation Survey conducted by the Wildlife Trust of India.
The endangered Ladakh Urial has to compete with livestock for pasture resources in the Leh district of Ladakh Trans-Himalaya. A rapid survey estimated their numbers at between 700 and 800 animals that faced threats, such as habitat loss, degradation in addition to resource competition.

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LIVING WITH GIANTS
Understanding human-elephant conflict In Maharashtra and adjoining areas

An Occasional Report on a Wild Species Project under the Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Cell of the Wildlife Trust of India in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

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NO MAST KALANDAR
The beginning to the end of dancing with bears
No Mast Kalandar’ recounts the need for and steps taken to create a life time care facility for sloth bears rescued from their captive ‘dancing profession’ with Kalandars, a nomadic community that has traditionally persecuted and trained bears to street perform. The project to rehabilitate these freed ‘dancing’ sloth bears was conceived and implemented as a ‘wild within walls’ facility in Bannerghatta Biological Park, Karnataka.

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SEARCH FOR A SPECTACLE
A conservation survey of the Phayre's leaf monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei) in Assam and Mizoram
A conservation survey of the Phayre's leaf monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei), one of the least known Indian primates, by the Wildlife Trust of India, discovered the species from four new locations in the states of Assam and Mizoram. A total of 303 animals were counted during this survey. Slash and burn or shifting cultivation, locally called 'jhum' and hunting are the two major threats to primates in the surveyed areas.

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SIGHTING STORKS
Status and distribution of Greater adjutant storks (Leptoptilos dubius) in the Ganga and Kosi River floodplains near Bhagalpur, Bihar

Believed to be confined to the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, the sighting of 25 endangered Greater Adjutant Storks in the floodplains of the Ganga and Kosi rivers paved the way for a Rapid Action Project on studying the status and distribution of this endangered bird in Bihar. This report documents the sightings of the GAS in Bihar and recommends measures to conserve the species.
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SILENT STRANGLERS
Eradication of Mimosa in Kaziranga National Park, Assam

A survey of the alien invasive weed mimosa was carried out in March 2003, by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with the Assam Forest department and in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Assam.
"Silent Stranglers" documents the threats of this weed to the habitat of KNP. It also records three years of relentless efforts to eradicate this menace by WTI and the Assam Forest Department.
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TRIBAL TERRITORIES
Impact assessment of settlers on the Jarwa Tribal Reserve, Middle and South Andaman Islands.
When civilization extends its arm to isolated tribes, its impact is felt in the form of pressure and conflicts with poachers and new settlers, fishing,hunting and dwindling forest resources. This report is the outcome of a study on the impact of settlers on the Jarawa tribal reserve in the Andaman Islands. This project is also the first of a series of Rapid Action Projects conducted under the Wild Aid division of the Wildlife Trust of India.
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Other publications

ACTION TIGER
Tiger Action Plans of 12 tiger range countries

As an animal high on popularity charts, the tiger has fascinated and awed generations for centuries. However, with its range confined to 14 Asian countries today, its distribution has more than halved and so have its numbers. With the tiger facing a serious challenge in its entire distribution range, the Global Tiger Forum has compiled the Tiger Action Plans of 12 range states in this volume, giving scientists and conservationists an insight into the strategies adopted by governments to deal with the problem. View Report (7.15 MB)

A GOD IN DISTRESS
Threats of poaching & ivory trade to the Asian elephant in India
This detailed report talks about the threats faced by the Asian Elephant due to the rampant poaching by illegal ivory traders.

Download ZIP Report (0.12 MB)

IFAW - WTI EMERGENCY RELIEF NETWORK DIGEST 2005-2006
This report is a compilation of the articles on the rescues carried out by professional as well as amateur members of the IFAW-WTI ERN during the period 2005-2006.

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IFAW - WTI EMERGENCY RELIEF NETWORK DIGEST 2006-2007

This report is a compilation of the articles on the rescues carried out by professional as well as amateur members of the IFAW-WTI ERN during the period 2006-2007.

View Report (5.66 MB)

SIGNED AND SEALED
The fate of the Asian elephant
This report tracks the illegal ivory trade from India to consumer countries like Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan among others.

Download ZIP Report (0.18 MB)

TIGER BRIDGE
Nine days on a bend of the Nauranala
Author: Barbara Curtis Horton

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WRAP UP THE TRADE
An international campaign to save the endangered antelope
A brand new report produced by the Wildlife Trust of India in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), this report brings to light explosive facts about the poaching, illegal trade through three international borders and the manufacture of the shawls. It also highlights the international campaign that is ongoing to end the shahtoosh trade.

View Concise Report (0.87 MB)
View Complete Report (2.85 MB)