Richness and relative abundance of mammalian fauna in raimona national park, Assam, India

Abstract

The Ripu Reserve Forest of Assam was one of the best managed forest in India. Deforestation and encroachment were the major threats to the sustainability of this natural landscape. To arrest this trend of suicidal destruction, a large part (422 km2) of Ripu RF was legally notified as “Raimona National Park” for long term conservation of its wildlife and their habitats in the landscape. A baseline survey was carried out in 2x2 km2 sampling grids sytematically to assess the richness and relative abundance of mammalian fauna in the Raimona NP. Based on all the direct sightings, indirect evidences including the camera trap photo captured records, presence of a total 29 species of mammalian fauna consisting of endangered (4), vulnerable (4), near threatened (1) and least concern (20) species have confirmed in the landscape. An effective management plan is very essential for conservation of wildlife and their habitats in the park.