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Journal ArticleDOI

Status and distribution of the Near Threatened Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni in Ladakh, India: effect of a hunting ban

01 Apr 2009-Oryx (Cambridge University Press)-Vol. 43, Iss: 2, pp 288-291
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted surveys in the proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary and the neighbouring Tsokar Basin, areas reported to have a relatively high abundance of argali within Ladakh and also opportunistically surveyed other areas and collected secondary information about the species occurrence in other parts of Ladakh.
Abstract: The Near Threatened Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni is distributed across the Tibetan Plateau and its peripheral mountains Within India it occurs in Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir) and Sikkim, and the population was estimated to be c 200 in the early 1990s Hunting of the species was banned in Jammu and Kashmir in the 1980s but the effect of this hunting moratorium on the population has not previously been assessed We conducted surveys in the proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary and the neighbouring Tsokar Basin, areas reported to have a relatively high abundance of argali within Ladakh We also opportunistically surveyed other areas and collected secondary information about the species’ occurrence in other parts of Ladakh A total of 127 animals were counted during the surveys Based on this number and other small populations reported earlier by us and others, we estimate a total population of 300–360 argali in Ladakh Although past population estimates were approximate, the present estimate, which includes areas not previously surveyed, suggests there has been no substantial change in the population of argali in Ladakh since the early 1980s Factors other than hunting therefore appear to be impeding argali population recovery in this region Pashmina-producing goats are the most abundant livestock within the argali's range and, owing to the recent increase in demand for this fibre, the goat population is increasing and this may be hindering the recovery of the argali

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The paper summarizes the situation of goat’s population worldwide, the status of the breeds and the multiple implications of their conservation, the interactions of goats with other animal species (wild or domestic) and the main issues regarding the consequences of goat grazing from the environmental point of view.

70 citations


Cites background from "Status and distribution of the Near..."

  • ...The Himalayan ibex deals with resource limitations imposed by migratory herds of goats and sheep around the Indian Trans-Himalayan pastures, while it is unaffected by the resident livestock as most species show habitat separation (Bagchi et al., 2004; Bhatnagar, 1997)....

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  • ...The growth of cashmere production also threatens the endangered Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata Hodgson, 1846) in the Indian Trans-Himalaya (Namgail et al., 2007, 2009)....

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  • ...The Himalayan blue sheep, bharal or naur (Pseudois nayaur (Hodgson, 1833)) overlaps its diet with goats in the Indian Trans-Himalaya (Mishra et al., 2001, 2004), whereas it is more abundant in neighbouring areas with lower livestock stocking rates (Mishra et al., 2002)....

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  • ...The competition for forage between the wild ass named kiang (Equus kiang Moorcroft, 1841) and livestock generates conflicts with pastoral communities in the Indian Trans-Himalaya which are linked to the loss of pastures during the Indo-Chinese war in 1962 or the increase of the cashmere production there (Bhatnagar et al., 2006)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a meta-analysis of 143 hunting studies from India to identify the species and geographic regions most at risk, and to assess their legal protection, was conducted and the authors concluded that the Eastern Himalaya and Indo-Myanmar biodiversity-hotspot complex is particularly vulnerable to hunting.

61 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
25 May 2013-Gene
TL;DR: The results suggested that Tibetan argali and Gansu argali may belong to the same subspecies (O. hodgsoni) of O. ammon, rather than two different subspecies.

22 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jul 2009-Oryx
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a range-wide survey of the flare horned markhor C. f. falconeri in India and found that the largest population in India, in Kajinag, may have potential for long-term survival if immediate conservation measures can be implemented.
Abstract: The flare horned markhor Capra falconeri occurs in northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Most of the species’ range is along volatile international borders and limited information is available, especially for the population of the Pir Panjal or Kashmir markhor C. f. falconeri in India. From October 2004 to April 2005 we therefore conducted the first range-wide survey of the species in India since independence. The markhor's range has shrunk from c. 300 km2 in the late 1940s to c. 120 km2 in 2004–2005. Our surveys and interviews with key local informants indicate that 350–375 markhor may yet exist in the region. All the populations are small (usually < 50) and fragmented. International conflicts, developmental projects, the needs of an increasing human population and poaching, along with lack of awareness, are the primary threats to the species. The largest population in India, in Kajinag, may have potential for long-term survival if immediate conservation measures can be implemented.

22 citations


Cites methods from "Status and distribution of the Near..."

  • ...A similar methodology has been used for Tibetan gazelle Procapra picticaudata (Bhatnagar et al., 2006) and Tibetan argali Ovis ammon (Namgail et al., 2009)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It can be inferred that contagious caprine pleuroneumonia affects Himalayan Pashmina goats and predisposition is increased in older age, under harsh climate and in the absence of therapeutics, as well as devise strategies for prevention of disease spread to unaffected areas.

18 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Ladakh wild ass or kiang Equus kiang has apparently recently increased in number, possibly approaching 1500 individuals in central and eastern Ladakh as discussed by the authors, but is still threatened because its relatively accessible range is highly susceptible to human encroachment.

77 citations


"Status and distribution of the Near..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The population in Ladakh is mostly confined to rolling mountains of eastern areas bordering China (Fox et al., 1991a) but its precise range is unknown....

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  • ...In India the estimated population in the 1990s was c. 200, with most occurring in Ladakh (Fox et al., 1991a) and a few in Sikkim (Fox & Johnsingh, 1997)....

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  • ...1), areas known to support a relatively high abundance of argali in Ladakh (Fox et al., 1991a)....

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  • ...The argali population in the Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary and Tsokar Basin could serve as a source population to recolonize adjacent areas, as apparently happened in the late 1970s in Hemis National Park (Fox et al., 1991b)....

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  • ...The range of the Tibetan argali includes the Tibetan Plateau and its marginal mountains, encompassing c. 2.5 million km2 (Shackleton, 1997), but its population is highly fragmented throughout this vast range (Fox et al., 1991a; Schaller, 1998)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that the two species coexist in this site as a result of the differential use of habitat associated with their species-specific anti-predator strategies, as well as on the basis of physical habitat partitioning.
Abstract: Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni and blue sheep Pseudois nayaur have almost completely overlapping distributions encompassing most of the Tibetan plateau and its margins. Such a sympatric distribution of related species with similar ecological requirements implies that there is some degree of resource partitioning. This may be accomplished on the basis of habitat and/or diet separation. This study evaluated such ecological separation on the basis of physical habitat partitioning by these two sympatric ungulates in Hemis High Altitude National Park, Ladakh, India, in an area where the argali established a small new population in 1978. Such separation was tested for on the basis of expected difference between the species in their proximity to cliffs, associated with species-specific anti-predator behaviour. Tibetan argali selected habitats away from cliffs while blue sheep selected habitats close to cliffs. Blue sheep also selected steep slopes whereas argali selected gentle slopes. The two species did not differ in their use of habitats in terms of elevation. They did, however, differ in their use of plant communities; blue sheep selected sub-shrub and grass-dominated communities whilst argali selected forb-dominated communities. We suggest that the two species coexist in this site as a result of the differential use of habitat associated with their species-specific anti-predator strategies.

71 citations


"Status and distribution of the Near..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Nomadic herders, army personnel and some Government officers also hunted the species for meat, and the argali’s preference for open areas, often close to human settlements, made it especially vulnerable (Namgail et al., 2004b)....

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  • ...We carried out surveys during March–April 2003 in the Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary and the neighbouring Tsokar Basin (Main survey area, Fig....

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  • ...The last trophy hunting for the subspecies in Ladakh occurred in 1975 in the Tsabra catchment of the proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary (Namgail et al., 2004a)....

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  • ...The argali population in the Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary and Tsokar Basin could serve as a source population to recolonize adjacent areas, as apparently happened in the late 1970s in Hemis National Park (Fox et al., 1991b)....

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  • ...Using topographic features such as ridges and streams the main survey area was partitioned into six localities: ª 2009 Fauna & Flora International, Oryx, 43(2), 288–291 Puyul, Gya, Kyam-Tsabenama, Tsabra, Tisaling-Shiabuk, and catchments in and around the the Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary and Tsokar Basin....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A recent study of the people of Changthang suggestconsiderable social, economic and land tenure changes, particularly during the period after the war between Indiaand China (Saberwal, 1996; Jina, 1999; Chaudhuri, 2000;Ahmed, 2002; Hagalia, 2004; Goodall, 2004, Rawat andAdhikari, 2005; Rosing, 2006) as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: (Jina, 1995), graze the rangelands of Changthang. TheChangpa are Buddhists and share cultural and linguisticaffinities with Tibet (Rizvi, 1996). They lost access toseveral traditional pastures on the Tibetan side when Indiaand China fought a war in the region in 1962 (Ahmed,1997). Around the same time, the Indian side saw a heavyinflux of Tibetan refugees (popularly known as TRs), who,like the Changpa, rear a variety of livestock includinghorse, yak, sheep and goat. These livestock types areadapted to the hostile and marginal pastures of the region,and provide a range of products and services. The domesticgoats of Changthang reportedly produce the finest cash-mere wool or Pashmina in the world (Misra et al., 1998;Ahmed, 2002). The Government of India has beenfacilitating Pashmina production by providing incentivesto the Changpas for several decades, in the form ofsupplementary cattle feed during severe winters andsubsidized food provisions etc.Recent studies of the people of Changthang suggestconsiderable social, economic and land tenure changes,particularly during the period after the war between Indiaand China (Saberwal, 1996; Jina, 1999; Chaudhuri, 2000;Ahmed, 2002; Hagalia, 2004; Goodall, 2004; Rawat andAdhikari, 2005; Rosing, 2006). These studies were con-ducted primarily in the Rupshu-Kharnak area that isrelatively close to the district headquarters, Leh, and is animportant tourist destination. However, there is virtually noinformation from other, parts of Changthang, especially theeastern Hanle Valley bordering China (c. 3,000 km

57 citations


"Status and distribution of the Near..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Studies on the interaction between livestock and argali have shown that livestock grazing not only depletes resources required by argali but also physically displaces argali from productive pastures (Namgail et al., 2007b)....

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  • ...Ladakh is currently undergoing substantial socio-economic change, and populations of wild ungulates such as argali are being affected by development activities that influence habitat use (Bhatnagar et al., 2006; Namgail et al., 2007b)....

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  • ...Pashmina (cashmere wool) is a mainstay of the economy of people living within the argali’s range, and livestock populations, especially those of cashmere-producing goats, have increased substantially (Namgail et al., 2007a, 2008)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2008-Oryx
TL;DR: The status and distribution of the Vulnerable Marco Polo sheep or argali Ovis ammon polii surveys were made in the Pamir Mountains, where the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Kunlun ranges meet as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: To determine the status and distribution of the Vulnerable Marco Polo sheep or argali Ovis ammon polii surveys were made in the Pamir Mountains, where the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Kunlun ranges meet. In China a total of 851 Marco Polo sheep were observed within the Taxkorgan Nature Reserve and 1,448 north of the Reserve. No reliable population estimate is avail- able for Tajikistan but in five census blocks totalling 1,977 km 2 densities ranged from negligible to 1.4 km 2 . A total of 624 sheep were counted in Afghanistan, and total numbers may approach 1,000. Fewer than 150 individuals are said to visit Pakistan seasonally. Hunting for meat has decimated the Marco Polo sheep popula- tions in all four countries but with better protection they appear to be on the increase in China. Transboundary cooperation is essential if the species is to be adequately protected and managed as argali readily cross inter- national borders, and a four-country Pamir Peace Park has been proposed and is under discussion.

41 citations


"Status and distribution of the Near..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Livestock grazing has negative influences on populations of other argali subspecies in Central Asia (Harris & Bedunah, 2001; Maroney, 2005; Wingard, 2005; Schaller & Kang, 2008)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
01 Apr 2006-Oryx
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the results of their recent (1999?2003) assessments of the gazelle?s conservation status in Ladakh and report that the present population of the Tibetan gazer is c. 50, restricted to a range of c. 100 km2.
Abstract: The Tibetan gazelle Procapra picticaudata is endemic to the Tibetan plateau. In the Ladakh region of northern India its range declined from c. 20,000 km2 in the early 1900s to c. 1,000 km2 in the late 1980s. Here we report the results of our recent (1999?2003) assessments of the gazelle?s conservation status in Ladakh. Rangewide surveys indicate that the present population of the Tibetan gazelle in Ladakh is c. 50, restricted to a range of c. 100 km2. Populations in the Tso Kar basin and Dungti have gone extinct within the past decade. Throughout the last century hunting was the primary cause of the gazelle?s decline. Although hunting has been brought under control in the last two decades, intensified livestock grazing appears to have prevented the gazelle?s recovery and may be precipitating further declines. The species needs immediate, participatory conservation management, as well as a reassessment of its IUCN Red List status.

31 citations


"Status and distribution of the Near..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Ladakh is currently undergoing substantial socio-economic change, and populations of wild ungulates such as argali are being affected by development activities that influence habitat use (Bhatnagar et al., 2006; Namgail et al., 2007b)....

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Trending Questions (2)
How many tourists visited Ladakh in 2019?

Although past population estimates were approximate, the present estimate, which includes areas not previously surveyed, suggests there has been no substantial change in the population of argali in Ladakh since the early 1980s.

When Ladakh will open for tourist?

Based on this number and other small populations reported earlier by us and others, we estimate a total population of 300–360 argali in Ladakh.