Syllabus (ZOOLOGY)

Course Type: MAJ-14

Semester: 8

Course Code: BZOOMAJ14C

Course Title: Biodiversity; Wild life Management & Conservation

(L-P-Tu): 2-2-0

Credit: 4

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective:

Learning Outcome: Course Outcome: Biodiversity and wildlife: Student will be learning the various issues related to biodiversity loss and conservation as well as status, conditions and conservation of forests and wildlife. They will also be able to use various tools used i

Biodiversity; Wild life Management & Conservation

Theory=2 credits

Course Objective: Due to significant loss of biodiversity and deterioration of natural ecosystems, there is little room for argument that all life on earth is currently in jeopardy. As a result, this course is available to all graduate students, regardless of their academic expertise, in order to make them aware of and sensitize them to this survival dilemma. Students who complete this course will have gained a solid foundation in the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services in supporting life on Earth, as well as an understanding of the dangers posed by the careless behavior of man.

Biodiversity; Wild life Management & Conservation

Theory

1. Introduction to Biodiversity:

• Concept and types of biodiversity
• Biodiversity and human welfare
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• Megadiversity countries
• Biodiversity hotspots with special reference to India.

2. Types of conservation:

• In-situ conservation- conserving ecosystem function and management.
• Protected area -Sanctuary, National Park, Biosphere reserve, Ramsar site and World heritage site in India with special reference to West Bengal.
• Concept of Core Zone, Buffer Zone.
• Exsitu conservation of animals (captive breeding; species reintroduction, species translocation; population reinforcement).
• Bioindicators for biodiversity monitoring.

3. Concept of wildlife:

• Definition of wildlife, keystone, flagship and umbrella species
• Wildlife in India; reasons for wildlife depletion and their conservation strategies; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• Concept of threatened fauna, Red data book, and IUCN categories
• Joint Forest Management (JFM) model for conservation.
• Tiger reserves in India, Management challenges in Tiger reserve.

4. Tools and techniques for wildlife census and survey:

• Technologies for Wildlife Research and Management
• Faecal analysis of ungulates and carnivores
• Pug marks and census method
• Basic idea of GIS and GPS and their application in habitat & wildlife conservation.

5. Management planning of wild life in protected areas:

• Estimation of carrying capacity
• Eco tourism / wild life tourism in forests
• Concept of climax persistence
• Ecology of perturbance

Practical 2 credits

Determination of requisite size of quadrat by species area curve method.

Demonstration of basic equipment needed in wildlife studies use, care and maintenance (Compass, Binoculars, Spotting scope, Range Finders, Global Positioning System, Various types of Cameras and lenses)

Visit to Wild life Sanctuary/Biodiversity Park/National Park/ reserves of the biosphere/ Sea cost to study behavioural activities of animals and prepare a short report.

Reference books

1. Conserving Forest Biodiversity: A Comprehensive Multiscaled Approach- David B. Lindenmayer, Jerry F. Franklin. 2013.
2. Divan Rosencraz, Environmental laws and policies in India, Oxford Publication.
3. Hunter M.L., Gibbs, J.B. and Sterling, E.J. (2008). Problem-Solving in Conservation
4. Joseph, B., Environmental studies, Tata Mc Graw Hill.
5. Michael Allabay, Basics of environmental science, Routledge Press.
6. Miller, G.T. 2002. Sustaining the earth, an integrated approach. (5th edition) Books/Cole,
7. Mohapatra Textbook of Environmental Biotechnology IK publication.
8. Odum, E.P., (2008). Fundamentals of Ecology. Indian Edition. Brooks/Cole.
9. Practical Approaches to the Conservation of Biological Diversity- Richard KenithBaydack, Henry Campa, Jonathan B. Haufler. 1999
10. Rana SVS, Environmentalpollution – Health and Toxicology, Narosa Publication.
11. Ricklefs, R.E., (2000). Ecology. V Edition. Chiron Press.
12. Sutherland, W.J. (2000). The Conservation Handbook: Research, Management and
13. Thakur, I. S., Environmental Biotechnology, I K Publication.
14. Valuation and Conservation of Biodiversity: Interdisciplinary Perspectives… Michael Markussen, Ralph Buse, HeikoGarrelts, MaríaManez Costa, Susanne Menzel, Rainer Marggraf. 2005.
15. Woodroffe R., Thirgood, S. and Rabinowitz, A. (2005). People and Wildlife, Conflict or Co-existence? Cambridge University.