Sumit Dookia

Conservation of Indian Gazelle or Chinkara through Community Support in Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India

Dr. Sumit Dookia addressing the school children.

Diseases and rescued Chinkara, after treatment, at Rescue Centre of Local Zoo.

Healthy chinkara, later on released in wild.

Town/RegionCountryCategoriesDate
Nagaur
Jodhpur
Bikaner 		IndiaCommunity, Conflict, Farming, Indian Sub-continent, Mammals8 Mar 2010

During the previous RSG projects, small isolated populations were located at different places and its habitat found under stress due to over grazing and intense agricultural activities. Network of volunteers will continue monitoring of satellite populations, anti-poaching activities and more awareness will spread in local communities.

During 2nd RSG, we found that local tribal are habitual poachers and after confiscation and releasing from imprisonment, start the same work again. Alongwith under cover anti-poaching network, a dialogue will be started with these communities and covered under the wildlife awareness campaign program.

The study will further identify threats to the habitat; animal it-self and steps will be taken to support local communities as well as State Forest Department, to declare these identified areas, during 2nd RSG, as Community Conservation Areas (under Protected Area category), as soon as possible. These CCAs’ will build up community-animal relationship stronger and also needs further strengthening program for conservation of wildlife with special reference to Chinkara.

Read about Sumit's previous work on this project http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/sumit_dookia or for further information contact sdookia_gazelle@rediffmail.com

Project Update: August 2010

The major developments during May–August 2010 are as follows:

Last year the monsoon completely failed in this part of India, and the entire year was declared as Famine Year by the government. The wild animals also suffered due to shortage of food plants. This scarcity of food was the major problem and breeding highly reduced in the Chinkara populations. Very few fawns were added in the herds and the health condition was pathetic in the entire landscape. This situation led to high mortality due to unavailability of food and free water to drink. Information on deaths of Chinkara due to unavailability came from all corners.

In the end of June 2010, Cyclone Phet resulted in heavy rainfall within a short spell of 2 days in western Rajasthan. Air temperature dipped down from 48-49° C to 15-20° C. It turned into another natural calamity event and almost 60-70% population of Chinkara suffered from pneumonia and cold. Our team extended help to the local community and also to the Rescue Centre of Local Zoo for treatment, care and coordination for helping the week and diseased Chinkaras. More than 150 Chinkaras were rescued and given first-aid and also helped at Rescue Centre for treatment.

The major objective of this project was also initiated and two meetings with Forest Officials were organised. They are ready to share data on habitual poachers. In next meeting we will successfully receive data from officials and start working for negotiating the poaching tribes.

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Interim Report.pdf1.77 MB

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