Abstract

We present the first scientific study on Brahmaputra River Islands as potential corridors for the tigers and other animals to move across the region in Assam, India. The study was carried out from February to April 2009, with a goal to ensure connectivity and long term conservation of meta-population of tigers in the Brahmaputra Valley in central Assam landscape of India. We did sign surveys and line transects to determine the carnivore and herbivore presence in the area. A total of 52 islands were sampled, out of which 11 islands showed tiger presence while almost all the islands showed ungulate presence. Positive relationship was seen between livestock presence and tiger sign. The study through its activities has been able to identify the islands and river banks that are being used by tigers to move within and from one island to another or to nearby protected area in the landscape, particularly the four closely place parks, viz. Kaziranga, Orang, Laokhowa and Burhachapori and the meta-populations within them. We suggest measures to save the landscape from encroachment and denudation. The entire landscape needs improvised conservation and management strategies for long term survival of the threatened species like tigers.

Key words: Anthropogenic pressures, Burhachapori, Kaziranga, Laokhowa, line transect, meta-population, occupancy survey, Orang, Panthera Tigris Tigris, Riverine landscape, royal Bengal tiger, sign survey