- Title
- Effect of habitat modification on wild mammals and wildlife hunting in Nagaland, Northeast India
- Creator
- Longchar, Satemmenla
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2023
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- This interdisciplinary thesis explores the intricate relationship between wild mammals and the indigenous Nagas community’s dependency on the forests of Nagaland, India. This thesis comprises multiple chapters, melding ecological and social perspectives. To investigate the impact of habitat modification, primarily forest loss due to agriculture, on human activities and its subsequent influence on wild mammals. The research employs camera traps, environmental data, a zero-inflated Poisson distribution model and a social survey to assess the environmental factors shaping mammal occupancy and abundance. The study further delves into bushmeat hunting practices among indigenous Naga tribes in Nagaland. The research also investigates wildlife responses to human activities, uncovering distinct activity patterns. Lastly, the study explores the ungulate preferences of local hunters and their awareness of conservation. In summary, this thesis provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between habitat modification, human activities, and wildlife behaviour in Nagaland, emphasizing the necessity for multifaceted conservation strategies to preserve biodiversity while accommodating human and ecological needs. This study fills an essential gap in understanding wild mammal diversity in Nagaland, providing valuable insights for wildlife conservation management in the region and similar landscapes. It highlights the need to address forest loss and restoration while incorporating traditional methods of forest protection into conservation efforts. The research findings underscore the pressing demand for robust conservation efforts, with a particular focus on mitigating the over-exploitation of wild mammals and countering the detrimental consequences of human activities on Nagaland's forest ecosystems. This imperative includes addressing the pressures of hunting, reinforcing enforcement mechanisms, and advocating sustainable practices to safeguard wildlife populations and uphold the health of Nagaland's forest ecosystems. Furthermore, this study illuminates the rich cultural heritage of the Naga people and their deep-rooted reliance on nature, highlighting the potential for indigenous communities to play a leading role in wildlife conservation. In summary, this research underscores the intricate interplay among habitat alterations, human actions, and wildlife conduct in Nagaland, underscoring the necessity for multifaceted conservation strategies that preserve biodiversity while striking a balance between human and ecological imperatives.
- Subject
- Indigenous; Nagaland; tribal communities; conservation; wildmeat hunting; wildlife
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1509746
- Identifier
- uon:56296
- Rights
- Copyright 2023 Satemmenla Longchar
- Language
- eng
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