The Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR), the last stronghold of Gaur (Bos gaurus) in Jharkhand, has registered an alarming decline in the bovid’s population. It is something that has wildlife conservationists and managers extremely concerned.
Gaur play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in forests besides serving as important prey species for tigers. Being herbivores, they also help shape vegetation dynamics and contribute to seed dispersal.
Gaur numbered 150 in the 1970s. A recent study showed its population in PTR to be 68.
These bovines once flourished in Saranda, Dalma, Hazaribagh, Gumla and some other forests of Jharkhand. But now, they are mainly confined to the northern region (North Range) of PTR as a small and isolated population.
PTR has prepared on an important action plan to stem the alarming decline in the Gaur population. The research, titled ‘Ecology and recovery plan of Gaur in PTR’, is based on nearly two years of study and ground-level surveys conducted by a high-level team of wildlife experts and project officials.
One survey also investigated the major reasons for the decline in the Gaur population. Ten herds were analysed in the study, which included 17 adult males, 24 adult females, eight underage males, nine underage females, seven juveniles and three calves.
The picture regarding tiger presence in Jharkhand is not rosy. Efforts though are on to conserve tigers. On June 26, a tiger which had entered the house of a village resident in Silli block of Ranchi district was rescued and released in PTR.
PTR director S R Natesh told Down to Earth (DTE) that according to the last census, the number of tigers in the reserve is one. But there is a strong possibility of this number increasing in future censuses. Movements of more than one tiger have been recorded.
“PTR has historically been a stronghold of Gaur. However, the population has seen an alarming decline due to persistent anthropogenic pressures, habitat degradation and diseases transmitted by domestic animals,” said Natesh.
He added that Gaur and Sambar are important prey for top wildlife predators such as tigers and leopards. Hence, recovery of the Gaur population is essential for tiger conservation and maintaining a healthy forest ecosystem and biodiversity.
“The ‘Ecology and recovery plan of Gaur in PTR’ has been prepared after detailed studies and surveys. We are all excited and hopeful about this recovery plan,” said Natesh.
PTR, located on the Chota Nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand, is one of the oldest tiger reserves in India and also has important ecological significance for large herbivores. The reserve is spread over an area of 1,129 square kilometres, which includes a core area of 414 square kilometres (important habitat for tigers) and a buffer zone of 715 square kilometres. It includes two protected areas — Palamu Wildlife Sanctuary and Betla National Park.
Ashok Kumar, principal chief conservator of forests and chief of forest force, Government of Jharkhand, wrote in the foreword to the ‘Ecology and recovery plan of Gaur in PTR’: “This alarming decline is a symptom of broader ecological challenges such as habitat degradation, anthropogenic pressures and declining genetic viability.”
He added, “I particularly appreciate the integration of recommendations for habitat improvement, species monitoring, human-wildlife conflict reduction and feasibility of reintroduction in the future.”
Prajesh Kant Jena, deputy director (north division) of PTR, told DTE that the plan represents a comprehensive effort to understand the demographic status of the Gaur, habitat suitability, feeding ecology and human-wildlife interactions. The aim of the plan is to ensure that any decisions or actions taken are scientifically based and result-oriented.”
He added, “Of course, the revival of Gaur is important from the point of view of increasing the number of tigers. Apart from Sambar and Chital (spotted deer), they are a good source of food for tigers. The most important things to increase the declining population of Gaur are security, food, expansion of pasture (grassland) and ensuring a healthy gene pool. Our action plan includes recommendations aimed at increasing the Gaur population in PTR as well as reestablishing its presence in forests like Saranda. The number of anti-poaching centres in the project has now increased to 40. Security personnel are deployed in these camps for 24 hours. Earlier, grassland in PTR was spread over 190 hectares. Now, it has increased to 400 hectares. Apart from increasing and securing waterholes for Gaur, work has also started on the use of GPS and other modern technology.”
According to wildlife experts, if the efforts to reestablish Gaur in the major forests of PTR and Jharkhand are successful, the population of tigers can also increase. On the other hand, there are 12 villages around Betla and their population has increased. People have about 150,000 livestock. Gaur sharing pasture and water with livestock means the wild bovids are at an increased risk from various diseases, especially foot and mouth disease. The PTR authorities, Jharkhand’s forest and environment department and the district administration are currently collaborating on a large-scale vaccination programme.
Notably, the study found a slightly female-biased sex ratio (1:1.32) in Gaur, which is favourable for breeding. But low numbers of juveniles and calves indicate concerns regarding population recovery and survival. Habitat fragmentation has limited movement routes, increasing the risk of genetic bottlenecks and population decline.
On the question of strengthening the gene pool, Jena said, “There is a potential risk of inbreeding and genetic depression if the Gaur are confined to a particular area. Therefore, a plan has prepared to infuse fresh blood into the population by bringing Gaur from Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. But the process will take time.”