Conservation Status and Habitat Use of Musk Deer in Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Uttarkashi, India

Orus Ilyas

Abstract


Among the four species of musk deer, Moschus chrysogator is the only species present in the Indian Himalayan region.Data on abundance and habitat use of musk deer were collected using direct and indirect methods. Monitoring ofthe existing forest trails passing through different forest was done at dawn and dusk. Abundance estimation of muskdeer was also done by pellet group counts. About 63 plots, each of 10m radius, were established along transect.Pellet group density (pellet group/ha) was also calculated for different season on different transects. Mean andstandard error was calculated and Kruskal-Wallis one way ANOVA was used to test the significant differencebetween the pellet group density and different habitat parameters. Principal component axis was used on availableand utilised plots. There were significant differences in mean values of habitat attributes between available andutilized plots and musk deer preferred area with high shrub density, diversity and shrub cover with the high treecover area but low grass cover. The conservation implications of the results are discussed.

Keywords


Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogastor), Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Pellet Group Density, Alpine Meadows Forest

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