Publications
Assessing spatial and seasonal variability in soil organic carbon fractions of teal carbon in semi-arid Ramsar wetlands of India as a natural climate solution
Shallow inland wetlands, such as Sambhar Lake and Keoladeo National Park, play a crucial role in carbon storage, serving as potential natural climate solutions. This study quantified soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in these Ramsar sites, revealing significant spatial and seasonal variability. SOC stocks were found to be 143 t C/ha at Sambhar Lake and 251 t C/ha at Keoladeo National Park during the post-monsoon season, with notable reductions during pre-monsoon periods. The research used ground-based observations and remote sensing data, analyzing factors like bulk density, pH, and vegetation indices through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The study highlights the importance of these wetlands in mitigating climate change and contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, particularly SDG-13 on climate action.
Avian Ecology And Conservation Challenges In Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India
A recent study conducted at Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Rajasthan, India, reveals significant threats to its rich avian biodiversity. The research identified 73 bird species, including eight globally threatened or near-threatened ones, with Ciconiidae being the most dominant family. Notably, a decline in migratory bird populations was observed, and Eurasian spoonbills were found nesting outside park boundaries, suggesting habitat degradation. The study highlights urgent conservation challenges such as habitat loss, fragmentation, water scarcity, and human interference, emphasizing the need for sustainable habitat management and regular ecological monitoring to preserve this critical biodiversity hotspot.
Predation of Endangered crowned river turtles Hardella thurjii by golden jackals Canis aureus in Keoladeo National Park, India
Research at Keoladeo National Park reveals significant predation pressure on the endangered crowned river turtle (Hardella thurjii) by golden jackals (Canis aureus), with 48 documented instances over five months, particularly targeting gravid females during breeding season. The clustering of carcasses along turtle trails suggests localized hotspots that could pose demographic threats to the species. To mitigate these losses, the study proposes conservation strategies such as monitoring jackal movement patterns, installing physical barricades in high-risk areas, and implementing rescue protocols for injured turtles.
BirdCollect: A Comprehensive Benchmark for Analyzing Dense Bird Flock Attributes
BirdCollect introduces the largest annotated bird dataset, revolutionizing wildlife research with over 6,000 high-resolution images of dense bird flocks, including Demoiselle Cranes and 34 other species from Keoladeo National Park. This benchmark dataset, spanning 46.2 GB, provides detailed annotations for tasks like crowd counting, density estimation, segmentation, and species classification, addressing the challenges posed by varied conditions such as lighting and resolution. The dataset highlights the need for tailored AI approaches in wildlife monitoring, offering unprecedented insights into bird behavior and diversity along migratory flyways.
Environmental drivers of vigilance behaviour in painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) nesting colonies
Painted storks (Mycteria leucocephala) exhibit sex-based differences in vigilance, with males displaying higher alertness likely due to territorial and mate-guarding behaviors. Parental vigilance increases as nestlings age, reflecting heightened parental investment. The study, conducted at Keoladeo National Park and the National Zoological Park in North India, used camera techniques to analyze how variables such as sex, nestling age, number of neighbors, and visitor numbers influence vigilance behavior. Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) revealed significant effects of these factors on vigilance, with storks at the National Zoological Park showing greater vigilance than those in Keoladeo National Park, suggesting site-specific influences on behavior.
Perception-based Assessment of Ecosystem Services in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur (Rajasthan), India
A perception-based survey reveals severe degradation of ecosystem services in Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar site renowned for its rich biodiversity. The study, involving national and international tourists, staff members, workers, and dependent villagers, identifies key threats including the reduction of water bodies, land cover changes, and anthropogenic disturbances. These factors are significantly impacting the park's ecological equilibrium, particularly affecting migratory and indigenous bird species such as the Painted stork, Saras crane, and Siberian crane. The findings underscore an urgent need for restoration and maintenance of terrestrial forest areas and wetlands to sustain species and ecosystem functions.
Pre-Roost Habitats of Western Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) Wintering in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur in Northwestern India
Western Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus) wintering in Keoladeo National Park (KNP), India, exhibit distinct pre-roost habitat preferences depending on their location. Within KNP, harriers predominantly perch on trees to gather before roosting, with a strong preference for sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) despite its lower abundance, likely due to its tall stature and wide canopy. In contrast, outside KNP where tree cover is sparse, harriers primarily pre-roost in open fields. This behavior may facilitate the formation of large roosting flocks, potentially offering protection from predators and access to shared food resource information. Notably, while trees were used as pre-roosting sites within KNP, no overnight roosting on trees was observed during a three-year study period. The scarcity of suitable open areas near primary roost sites in KNP may explain the reliance on tree perches for pre-roosting.
Keoladeo National Park: A Managerial Approach to a Unique Protected Area cum World Heritage Site of India
Keoladeo National Park, a unique protected area in India, faces significant managerial challenges due to its triple designation as a World Heritage Site, Ramsar Wetland, and national park. A primary issue highlighted is the persistent difficulty in maintaining water levels, crucial for the park's ecological significance as a breeding ground for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway. The study, conducted by Indian Forest Service officers with direct managerial experience, explores interventions to address this challenge, including strategies to combat water scarcity and invasive species while managing anthropogenic pressures. The park's perimeter-walled boundary further complicates conservation efforts, necessitating innovative approaches to preserve its unique biodiversity.
Population status of Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster Pennant, 1769 (Aves: Suliformes: Anhingidae) in Keoladeo National Park, India
Keoladeo National Park (KNP), India, sustains a viable resident population of the globally 'Near Threatened' Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), with seasonal fluctuations in abundance. The study, conducted across eight wetland blocks from January to December 2021, found the highest average population (112.8 ±43.8 SE) during winter and the lowest (1.8±1.1 SE) in summer. Block D hosted the largest mean population (84.3±20.2 SE), while Block F recorded the minimum (0.3±0.16 SE). Total counts across seasons were 287 in winter, 83 in summer, and 212 during monsoon. These findings underscore KNP's ecological significance for the species, though further research is needed to elucidate seasonal movement patterns and inform long-term conservation strategies.
Problems and Possibilities in Tourism Development of Keoladeo National Park
Keoladeo National Park, once a site for religious pilgrimage and leisure, is increasingly positioned as a key destination for tourism-driven economic growth. A new government plan aims to boost the local economy by expanding hotel infrastructure, recognizing its potential to generate employment and revenue. This strategic focus on hospitality development could transform Keoladeo into a model for sustainable tourism in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, balancing economic gains with ecological preservation. The study highlights the need for careful planning to ensure that tourism growth does not compromise the park's natural integrity or cultural significance.
Wetlands dynamics analysis: a case study of Keoladeo National Park (India), the wintering grounds of West Siberian white crane population
A significant decline in suitable habitats for the endangered West Siberian White Crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus) has been observed in Keoladeo National Park, India, due to climate change and reduced water inflow. The study reveals a warming trend with increased aridity, despite stable precipitation levels, leading to lower water levels in wetlands. This decline is attributed to higher evaporation rates and decreased water supply from the Ajahn Bund reservoir, primarily driven by agricultural water consumption. Researchers analyzed meteorological data (1958–2021), remote sensing data (1972–2022), and reservoir inflow volumes (1980–2010) to quantify these changes. The findings underscore the vulnerability of this critical crane wintering ground to climate-driven ecosystem shifts.
Changing water sources in Keoladeo National Park (KNP): an alarm for the world heritage site
Keoladeo National Park (KNP), a renowned bird sanctuary, faces ecological threats due to disruptions in its natural water sources. Historically reliant on rainfall and the Gambhiri and Banganga Rivers, KNP's water supply has been severely impacted by the construction of dams and reservoirs between 2000 and 2010, which ceased river water flow through Ajan Dam. Supplementary sources like the Chambal pipeline and Goverdhan projects have failed to meet ecological needs, leading to a decline in migratory bird species over the past four years. Physiochemical analysis of water from KNP, Ajan Dam, and the Chambal pipeline revealed that while Ajan Dam's water is optimal for KNP's ecosystem, the Chambal pipeline water lacks biological value and risks altering the park's ecology if used long-term. This study highlights the critical need to restore natural water sources to preserve KNP's biodiversity and ecological integrity.
Sight Record of Cinereous Vulture Aegypiusmonachus at Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India
A rare sighting of the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), a Near Threatened species under the IUCN Red List, has been documented at Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, India. This occurrence marks an uncommon winter visit for the species, which is typically resident in the dry temperate regions of the Himalayas and rarely observed in northern and central India. The report highlights the significance of this finding, contributing to the limited data on the distribution and behavior of this vulture in the region.
Performance of imputation-based models in predicting breeding population trend of a near-threatened bird in changing water regime: A 36-year long-term case study of Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala
A near-80% decline in the breeding population of the Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) at Keoladeo National Park, India, over 36 years (1980–2015), was attributed to local water scarcity rather than regional rainfall changes. The study used Multiple Imputation Chained Equation (MICE) to address missing data in long-term census records and Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) to analyze population trends. Findings revealed that local water availability—specifically, a minimum of 200–300 million cubic feet per nesting season—was critical for sustaining the species, with the most severe decline occurring during frequent droughts (2000–2009). Despite slight regional rainfall increases, the population remained below its long-term mean (~726) post-1989, except in three exceptional years. This underscores the vulnerability of near-threatened species to localized hydrological changes.
Biodiversity Versus Irrigation: The Case of Keoladeo National Park
Keoladeo National Park, a man-made biodiversity hotspot in India's arid landscape, faces ongoing conflict between its ecological needs and surrounding agricultural water demands. Designated as both a Ramsar site (1981) and World Heritage Site (1985), the park is renowned for supporting critical species like the Siberian crane. The study highlights two dimensions of this conflict: one widely publicized, involving seasonal water allocation, and another persistent but less visible issue tied to local irrigation demands in Bharatpur district. The research underscores the tension between conserving a globally significant wetland and meeting the agricultural needs of nearby communities, reflecting broader challenges in balancing biodiversity preservation with rural development.
An Updated Account of Mammal Species and Population Status of Ungulates in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
A comprehensive study of Keoladeo National Park (KNP) reveals significant shifts in mammalian diversity and ungulate population dynamics since its designation as a protected area. The research documents the local extinction of eight mammal species, including the blackbuck, while identifying 34 extant species within the park. Line transect surveys estimated densities for key ungulates: chital (52.37 ind/km²), feral cattle (33.66 ind/km²), nilgai (13.68 ind/km²), wild boar (3.21 ind/km²), and sambar (0.32 ind/km²). Notably, habitat generalist species like chital and nilgai have seen increased densities over the past 25 years, contrasting with declines in more specialized species such as the sambar. These findings underscore substantial changes in mammalian diversity, driven by habitat alterations and local extinctions, particularly among carnivores.
Resource Partitioning in Three Sympatric Species of Storks in Keoladeo National Park, India
A study on resource partitioning among three sympatric stork species—Black-necked Stork, Painted Stork, and Asian Openbill—in Keoladeo National Park, India, revealed that their feeding success is significantly influenced by water depth and habitat use. The Black-necked Stork, a solitary generalist forager, relies on tactile and visual methods with a diet rich in fish, while the Painted Stork and Asian Openbill forage in groups, specializing in fish and snails (Pila spp.), respectively. Differences in prey composition were attributed to variations in feeding behavior and water levels at foraging sites. The study found that peck rate, steps, and success rate varied significantly among the species, with water level playing a crucial role in feeding success. These findings highlight the importance of fine-scale habitat management for the conservation of stork species.
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