Mapping of Biotic Pressure and its Impact on Prey Densities in Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

摘要

The Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is under immense biotic pressure from villages both within and adjacent to it. Distribution of pressure from 10 major biotic parameters on the forests of MTR was assessed and mapped. Combined biotic pressure from grazing, fuelwood collection, lopping and illicit felling of trees and grass cutting affected 75 of compartments of MTR. Grazing and waterhole use by livestock, as well as, grazing, lopping and illicit felling of trees, showed strong correlation. These areas were mostly away from the villages, whereas areas affected by fuelwood collection were comparatively closer to villages. Although the national park was mostly free of biotic pressures, except on its periphery from adjacent villages, the sanctuary and multiple use area were under high degree of anthropogenic pressure. However, despite higher biotic pressure in the northern blocks of MTR, good prey densities (about 4 per km~2) were also recorded in this region. Thus there is a need for providing adequate protection to the region so that the habitat in this area could be improved. At the same time, there is an urgent need to investigate the reasons for low prey densities in those blocks, which are either free or have very low intensity of biotic pressure.