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Establishing a corridor for the elephants of Jharkhand using Remote Sensing and GIS
Richa N.K. Sharma
Lecturer, Department of Remote Sensing,
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215,
Email: richa-13@hotmail.com
Dr Ashok Kumar Sinha
Ex. Professor and Head, Department of Zoology,
Ranchi University, Ranchi 834 001
Dr M.S. Nathawat
Professor and Head, Department of Remote Sensing,
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi835 215,
Email: msnathawat @yahoo.com
Ashok Kumar Pandey
IFS, Director, Bhagwan Birsa Zoological Park,
Ranchi, 835 215
Introduction
The Asian Elephant has declined primarily because of reduction in habitat than captures (Sukumar, R., 1989). In the state of Jharkhand in India, this rings exactly true. There being maximum 'Makhanas' poaching is not a major issue. (Evaluation Report) but the shrinkage of habitat is. With a maximum likely population of 750 elephants in the state (Annexure III, Evaluation Report), the corridor for the movement of the elephants have not all been mapped, the mapping requires systematic identification of the migratory routes and off late the recent changing trends reported in these routes.
The satellite view gives a close look at the overall intervening/fragmented tracts of forest distribution for this purpose, (Panwar, HS 1986)
The problem
In Jharkhand , the elephants are mainly concentrated in two sanctuaries. One the "Palamu Tiger Reserve" in the North West of the State and the other in the rich natural forests of "Saranda " in the southern most part of the state. Incidentally, the "Singhbhum Elephant Reserve " is the only elephant reserve in the country, which exists in this forest. The traditional routes of the elephants exist since times immemorial. But off late they are trying out new routes. In the process two group of elephant herds, one comprising of about 125 elephants and another of 25 elephants have been isolated from the Saranda forest and are trying to relocate themselves in the jungles of higher latitudes of the state i.e. in Hazaribagh district of the state. The group of 25 elephants has as high as 5 calves showing the stress this herd is going through. These are the herds, which are causing maximum man elephant conflict.
It is to relocate these herds to their nearest forest reserves that the corridor has to be established.
Study area
The State of Jharkhand lies within latitudes 21.98 to 25.20 N and longitude 83.39 to 87. 82 E. It covers an area of 79714 5sq. km. Jharkhand has about 27% forested area. (SFR 1999).
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