Wildlife habitat analysis for ‘sambar’ (Cervus unicolor) in Kanha National Park using remote sensing

Abstract

In the present study habitat suitability analysis has been done in the census sectors of two ranges of Kanha National Park. Each sector was evaluated with respect to habitat parameters, viz., water, cover types (food and shelter values) and terrain. Cover type information was obtained from maps generated by visual interpretation of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) false colour composite on a 1:50 000 scale, and understorey information as supplemented from cover maps generated by using aerial photographs on a 1:10 000 scale and ground sampling. Waterbodies were taken from field records and terrain information from Survey of India toposheets. Four suitability ratings were assigned to each sector using habitat parameters. The results revealed that among 16 sectors in the Kisli range 3 sectors each were found to be in a very good, good and moderately suitable category and 7 sectors were rated under low suitability for sambar. In the Kanha range, out of 28 sectors, 12 were found to be very good, 6 were ‘good’ and 5 sectors each in the category of moderate and low suitability classes.