Climate Changes and-------'-------Chotanagpur Plateau(Jharkhand,India)

CLIMATE CHANGES AND ITS EFFECT ON WILD MAMMALIAN DIVERSITY IN THE HOT SPOTS OF THE CHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU (JHARKHAND, INDIA)

M.C.Mahata
Ex-Prof., Deptt. Of Zoology, R.U.,
Ranchi – 834008,
E.mail : mahatamanik@rediffmail.com


ABSTRACT


Chotanagpur plateau (lies on 210 5’ N to 240 8’ N and 820 20’ E to 840 54’ E) is one of the 40th hot spots of the country with a total area of 60,784 sq.km. of which less than 20 percent is the forest coverage. It comprises of three regions – the Ranchi plateau (Pat region or Western Ranchi plateau), Lower Ranchi plateau and outer Ranchi plateau. These places once were rich den of Wild mammalian fauna (some 75-100 yrs back). But the recent status of these Wild mammalian species have been depleted so much so that one can not imagine since many of them have either locally vanished or faded to such extent that are on the path of no return. Such situation arises on account of severe climate changes caused by less rainfall, cyclones or super cyclones occurred in time to time, population explosion and extension of their habitation zone in the forest coverage, unplanned construction of man made dams/reservoirs, heavy iron ore minings, illegal quarrying and felling of trees, traditional and non-traditional hunting practices of Wild mammals. And one of such important factor is the depletion of Keystone species.
The most endangered or locally vanished wild mammalian fauna of the plateau are – Megaderma lyra lyra (E.Geoffroy,1810), Indian false Vampire, Manis crassicaudata (Gray,1827), Indian pangolian, Vulpus bengalensis (Shaw,1800), Bengal fox, Cunon alpines primaevus (Hodgson,1833), Dhole or Indian Wild dog, Viverricula indica indica (Desmarset,1817), Small Indian Civet, Herpestes auropunctatus auropunctatus (Hodgson,1836), Small Indian Mongoose, Hyaena hyaena hyaena (Linn,1758), Striped hyaena, Felis chau kutas (Pearson,1832), Jungle cat, Panthera pardus fusca (Meyer,1794), Common Indian Leopard or Panther, Panthera tigris tigris (Linn.,1758), Tiger, Tragulus memina (Erxleben,1777), Indian spotted or Mouse deer, Muntiacus muntijak vaginalis, (Boddaert,1785), Indian Muntjack or Barking deer, Bos gaugus (Smith,1857), Bison, Bubalus bubalis (Linn.,1758), Wild Buffalo, Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas,1766), The Nilgui or Blue bull, Guzella gazelle benitti (Sykes,1816), Indian Gazella or Chinkera, Lepus nigricollis ruficaudatus (Geoffroy,1826), Rufous tailed Hare, Rutafa indica centralis (Ryley,1913), Indian giant squirrel or Malabar squirrel, Hystrix indica indica (Kerr,1792), Indian crested porcupine, Vandeleuria oleracea (Bennett,1832), Indian large tailed Tree mouse and V. oleracea dumeticola (Hodgson,1845), Small tailed tree mouse.
Since all the above named wild mammals including many ecologically important flora and fauna of the plateau are in the critical state, necessary steps would have to be taken by the authorities concerned to save them for many more generation to come other wise they will be myth alike Acinonyx, jubatus venaticus (Griffith,1821), Rhodonessa caryophyllacea and Carina scatulata.

Key Words: Hotspots, Wildmammals, Keystonespecies, Endangered.






CLIMATE CHANGES AND ITS EFFECT ON WILD MAMMALIAN DIVERSITY IN THE HOT SPOTS OF THE CHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU (JHARKHAND, INDIA)

1. M.C.Mahata
P.G.Dept. of Zoology, R.U.
Ranchi – 834008,
E.mail : mahatamanik@rediffmail.com
2. Mrs. K.Mohanta
Retd. H.O.D.
Botany Dept. Udala College,
Udala – 757041
3. Shivani Majhi
P.G.Dept. of Zoology, R.U.,
Ranchi – 834008,
E.mail : shivanimajhi1q@gmail.com
4.  Sanjay Mahato
Curator
Tata Steel Zoological Park,
Jamshedpur - 831001



INTRODUCTION


Chotanagpur plateau (lies in between 210 5’ N to 240 8’ N and 820 20’ E to 840 54’ E) is one of the 40th hot spots of the country situated in the Jharkhand state. It has a total area of 60784 sq.km (37,990.50 sq. miles) approximately, of which less than 20% forest coverage at present. The average altitude is 609.5 m (2000 ft), but it varies from 152.9 m (500 ft.) to 1082.88 m (3,600 ft.) above sea level. It represents great physical inequalities and a rich panoroma of topographical features which brings about strong contrast in climate, natural vegetation and faunal distribution. It is believed that structural frame work of the region was laid down by the Archaean movements which folded the Dharwarians sediments and cause the batholithic intrusion into the folded dharwarians. On the basis of elevation, morphological features and slopes, the plateau is divided into three smaller plateau which once (100-75 yrs. back) had rich wild mammalian faunal composition.
The Pat region (or Western or higher Ranchi plateau) covers the Western corner of Ranchi and Southern edge of Palamau district. It is covered by large numbers of flat topped dissected hills rising mostly about 296.64 m above lower plateau to the east. These flat topped hills are locally known as ‘Pat’, hence name ‘Pat region’ is given. The lower Ranchi plateau covers the Ranchi district except the area covered by the pat region. Its altitude is variable upto 369.6 m above sea level and the topography is very undulating with interception of numerous hillocks, hilly areas and terraced slopes ending on the one hand on the banks of a local stream and on the other in a local upland which may or may not have a low hills. It is separated from another surface of the same elevation by the Damodar trough.
The outer (or lower) Chotanagpur plateau covers an wide area consisting of the Palamau (except southern edge), Hazaribagh, Giridih, Dhanbad, Purulia and Singhbhum districts. The average altitude is 188.8 m but it glides with 369.6 m on most sides from Palamau, Hazaribagh, Giridih and Singhbhum districts.
CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE PLATEAU :
The plateau has a tropical location, because of the critical line that separates continental India from tropical India runs along the northern boundary of the plateau. But being of such location the climate of the plateau is rendered sub-tropical and sub-temperate over a large parts of its elevated region.
Most of two parts of the parts of the plateau experiences a monsoonal climate and the seasonal rhythm of climate can be used to divide the year into Summer (March - May), Rainy (June - September), Autumn – season of retreading South-West monsoon (October - November) and Winter (December - February). But in last three decades the seasonal rhythm has been changed drastically due to less rain fall in rainy season and rise of temperature in summer months as well as extension of the season to August each year. The plateau once was the rainiest tracts (40-50 yrs. back) and most of the plateau received a rain fall over 50” to 60” (1270 mm to 1524 mm ) while “Pat region” had over 80” (2032 mm). The temperature during summer was varied from 300 C to 400 C and in winter months it was varied from 100C to 250C. In last ten years the average rain fall was 312 mm to 600mm in rainy months while the average summer temperature was 400C to 500 C.
WILD MAMMALIAN FAUNAL STATUS OF THE PLATEAU
The past record of wild mammalian fauna shows that they were rich both qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Nath (1950) reported 77 wild mammals from Chotanagpur while Sinha (2004) reported 67 wild mammalian species from the plateau. Swarup et al. (2004) have reported 40 species wild mammals from the Singhbhum plateau under Chotanagpur region. The present position of the wild mammalian fauna in relation to their past position as reported by Nath (1950) and Sinha (2004) are furnished in Table – 1, with their present status. All together 75 species belonging to 52 genera under 26 families and 05 orders are found in the Chotanagpur region. Most of these mammals are struggling for their existence due to sevier climate change in the region.
Systematic position As reported by Nath 1950 As reported by Sinha in 2004 Vernacular names & Present status Remark
Order : Chiroptera
Family : Pteropodidae
Genus : Pteropus
(Brisson),1762
1. Pteropus giganteus giganteus
(Briinnich),1782

Genus :Cynopterus
(F.Cuvier), 1824

Very common


Common in Deoghar, Rajmahal, and Godda

Large Fox Bat/ Indian flying foxes





Widely distributed throughout India & adjacent countries
(Rare)
2. Cynopterus marginatus
(F.Cuvier), 1824 Very common Not reported Small Fox Bat / Chamgidar Found all over India & adjacent countries.
(Rare)


3. C.sphinx sphinx
(Vahl), 1799 Not reported Very common in Hazaribagh, Sahebganjh & W.Singhbhum   Short nosed
   fruit Bat Also found in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Burma
(Rare)
Sub Order : Microchiraptera
Family : Rhinopomatidae
Genus : Rhinopoma
(E.Geoffroy), 1818



4. Rhinopoma microphyllum Kinneari
Wroughton, 1912
Not reported Reported from Hazaribagh district Large rat-tailed Bat Found all over India
(Rare)
5. Rhinopoma hardwiekei
Gray, 1831 Common Reported from Giridih district Lesser Rat-tailed Bat Found in India & other countries like Afganistan, Pakistan, Burma and Thailand
(Rare)

Family : Megadermatidae (Vampyridae)
Genus : Megaderma

6. Megaderma Iyra lyra
Geoffroy, 1810 All over the plateau Dhanbad district, Giridih district, W.Singhbhum district Indian False Vampire Found in other parts of India & countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh
(Endangered)
Family  : Rhinolophidae
Genus : Rhinolophus (Lacepede)
7. Rhinolophus lepidus Lepidus
Blyth, 1844 Reported from Chaibasa (W. Singhbhum district)
Not reported Little Indian Horse Shoe Bat Also found in other parts of India
(Rare)
8. R.mitratus
Blyth, 1844 Reported from Chaibasa
Not reported Mitred leaf Bat (Endangered)
Genus : Hipposideros
Gray, 1831
9. Hipposideros fulvus pallidus
Anderson, 1918 Not reported Reported from Giridih and Hazaribagh districts Fulvous leaf nosed Bat Also found in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka
(Rare)
Family : Vespertilionidae
Genus : Myotis
Kaup, 1820
10. Myotis formosus formosus
(Hodgson, 1835) Not reported Found in W.Singhbhum district Hodgson’s Bat Also found in Nepal
Genus : Pipistrellus
(Kaup), 1829

11. Pipistrellus coromandra coromandra
(Gray, 1838) Reported from old Singhbhum district Reported from Hazaribagh, Palamau, W.Singhbhum districts
Indian Pipistrelle or Coromandal Pipistrella Also found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal
(Rare)
12. P. mimus
Wroughton, 1899 Not reported Occurred in Hazaribagh, and W.Singhbhum districts Indian Pigmy Pipistrelle Throughout the main land of Indian Union and Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma, Thailand &Vietnam(Rare)
13. P.ceylonicus indicus
(Dabson, 1878) Not reported Reported from Dhanbad and W.Singhbhum districts
Kelaart’s Pipistrelle Found in Pakistan and Bangladesh
(Rare)
14. P.dormeri
(Dobson, 1875) Not reported Occurred in Giridih, Hazaribagh districts and W.Singhbhum district Dormer’s Bat Distributed in Pakistan and Taiwan
(Endangered)
Genus : Hesperopternus
(Peters)
15. Hesperoptermus tickelli
Blyth, 1851 Not reported Found in W.Singhbhum district Tickell’s Bat Distributed in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, and South Western China  (Rare)
Genus : Scotophilus
Leach, 1821
16. Scotophilus Kuhli Kuhli
(Leach), 1821 Not reported Reported from Hazaribagh, Palamau and W.Singhbhum districts Lesser yellow Bat Distributed throughout the Indian Union and Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Burma
(Vulnerable)

17. Scotophilus heathi heathi
(Horsfied, 1831) Not reported Reported from Giridih, Hazaribagh and Lohardaga districts Greater yellow Bat Distributed throughout the Indian Sub continent. Also found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh & Burma
(Vulnerable)

Genus : Kerivoula
Gray, 1842
18. Kerivoula picta picta
(Pallas) Reported from Chaibasa Not reported Pale painted Bat Found in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, Malay, Sumatra, Javi, Bali, Lombok, Borneo & Mollucca
(Vulnerable)
Family : Eballonuridae
Genus : Tophozous
E.Geoffroy, 1818
19. Tophozous longimanus longimanus
Hardwicke, 1825 Reported from Chaibasa (W. Singhbhum district) Reported from Hazaribagh, and W.Singhbhum districts Long armed Seath tailed Bat Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand and Combodia
(Rare)

20. T.saccalaimus crassus
Blyth, 1844 Not reported Reported from W.Singhbhum district Pouch bearing Bat Found in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malay peninsula and Islands and Sumatra
(Rare)
Order : Primates
Family : Cercopithecidae
Genus : Macaca
Lacepede, 1799
21.Macaca mulatta mulatta
(Zimmermann,1780) Reported from the plateau Reported from the Palamau & W.Singhbhum districts Rhesus Macaque Also found in Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, China, Thailand, Vietnam and other parts of India
(Vulnerable)

Genus : Presbytis
Eschscholtz, 1821
22. Presbytis entellus entellus
(Dufresne, 1797) Reported from the plateau Reported from Deoghar, Palamau, and Hazaribagh districts


Hanuman / Langoor Found in other parts of India and Bangladesh
(Rare)
Order : Pholidata
(Edentata)
Family : Manidae
Genus : Manis
Linnaeus, 1758
23. Manis crassi caudata
Gray, 1827 Reported from the plateau
Found in W.Singhbhum district Indian pangolian or Bajrakit Distributed in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China and other parts of India
(Threatened)
Order : Carnivora
Family : Canidae
Genus : Canis
Linnaeus, 1758
24. Canis lupus pallipes
Sykes,1831 Reported from all over the plateau Reported from Hazaribagh,and Palamau districts Wolf (Nekra, Hurrar, Lakda, Landagh) Distributed in other parts of India and Arabian peninsula, Iran and Pakistan
(Rare)

25. Canis aureus indicus
Hodgson,1833 Reported from all over the plateau Hazaribagh, Palamau and Bokaro districts Asiatic Jackle, (Gidhar, Sial, Siar) Occurs in Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and other E.states of India, Bhutan, Burma, and Thailand
(Vulnerable)



Genus : Vulpes
Oken,1816
26. Vulpes bengalensis
(Shaw,1800) All over the plateau Hazaribagh, and Palamau district Bengal Fox, (Indian fox, Khekar, and Kheksial) Occurs throughout India, Pakistan and Nepal
(Endangered)
Genus : Cuon
Hodgson,1838
27. Cunon alpines primaevus
(Hodgson,1833) Eastern part of the plateau Dhanbad, Palamau, and W.Singhbhum districts Dhole or Indian wild dog (Jungli Kutta, Ram Kutta, Ban Kutta and Soma Kutta) Sikkim, U.P., W.B., Nepal and Bhutan
(Threatened)
Family : Ursidae
Genus : Melursus
Meyer,1793
28. Melursus melursus ursinus
(Shaw,1791) All over the plateau Bokaro, E.Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Palamau, and W.Singhbhum districts Sloth Bear (Indian Black Bear, Bhallu) Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, M.P., Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, W.B. and Bangladesh
(Endangered)

29. Mellivora capensis indica
(Kerr,1792) Reported from the plateau Reported from Hazaribagh, and Palamau districts Ratel / or Honey Badger / Bear Found in Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, W.B., Peninsular India, Malabar Coast and Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan
(Threatened)

Genus : Lutra
Brisson,1762
30. Lutra perspicillata perpicillata
(I.Geofroy) Occurs in the plateau Reported from Palamau district Smooth coated Indian otter Found in other states of India and Bangladesh, Burma, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia
(Vulnerable)
Family : Viverridae
Genus : Viverra
Linnaeus,1758



31. Viverria zibetha zibetha Linnaeus, 1758
Reported from the plateau Not reported Large Indian Civet / Katas/ Much Bondar Found in Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim and also in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore
(Endangered)

Genus : Viverricula Desmarest, 1817 Reported from the plateau Reported from Hazaribagh district Small Indian Civet Found in other states of India and in Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Bangladesh
32. Vierricula indica indica
Desmarest, 1817
(Engangered)
Genus : Paradoxurus
Cuvier,1821
33. Paradoxurus hermaphrodites
(Pallas,1777) Reported from the plateau Reported from Bokaro district, Giridih district Common Palm Civet or Toddy Cat Found throughout India and Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines
(Threatened)
Family : Herpestidae
Genus : Herpestes
Illiger,1811
34. Herpestes auropunctatus auropunctatus
(Hodgson,1836) Reported from the plateau Occurs in Bokaro, and Hazaribagh districts Small Indian Mangoose / Nyala In other states of India and Nepal, Bhutan
(Endangered)

35. Herpestes edwardsi nyula
(Hodgson,1836) Reported form the plateau Reported from Bokaro, Hazaribagh and Palamau districts Indian Grey Mongoose Found in the states of Assam, Gujrat, M.P., Orissa, Sikkim, U.P., W.B., and Nepal and Bhutan
(Threatened)


Family : Hyaenidae
Genus : Hyaena
Brisson,1762
36. Hyaena hyaena hyaena
(L., 1758) All over the plateau Reported from Hazaribagh, Palamau districts Striped Hyaena / Harbagh/ Lakharbagha Found throughout India, North Africa, Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan to Pakistan, Transcaucasia, Turkistan and Nepal
(Endangered)
Family : Felidae
Genus : Felis
Linnaeus,1758
37. Felis chauas kutas
Pearson,1832 Reported from the plateau Reported from Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Palamau,and W.Singhbhum districts Jungle Cat/ Ban Berral Found in the states like – Gujrat, M.P., Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and W.B.
(Threatened)


38. Felis viverrina
Bennett,1833 In certain pockets of the plateau Not reported Fishing cat Found in Bihar, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and W.B. Also found in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan
(Rare)



Genus : Acinonyx
Brookes,1828

Acinonyx jubatus venaticus
(Griffith,1821) Last found in 1904 (A.Marvyn Smith) Now extinct Not reported

Hunting Leopard Now found in Africa
(Extinct from India)


Genus : Panthera
Oken,1816


39. Panthera pardus fusca
(Meyer,1794) Reported from certain pockets of the plateau Reported from Dhanbad, Palamau and W.Singhbhum districts
Common Indian Leopard or Panther Found throughout India in suitable habitats.
(Most Endangered)



40. Panthera tigris tigris
(Linnaeus,1758) Reported from certain pockets of the plateau Reported from Palamau, and W.Singhbhum districts Tiger Found throughout India except in the desert of Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat. Also occurs in Nepal, Bangladesh and Burma
(Endangered)

Order : Proboscidea
Family : Elephantidae
Genus : Elephas
Linn.,1758




41. Elephas maximus indicus
Cuvier,1797 Certain pockets of the plateau Occurs in East and West Singhbhum and Palamau districts Indian elephant Found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, W.B., Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sumatra and Boneo


Order : Artiodaetyla
Family : Suidae
Genus : Sus
Linn.,1758
42. Sus scrofa cristatus
Wagner,1839 Found in Deep forest of the plateau Reported from Dhanbad, E.Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Palamau  and W.Singhbhum districts Indian Wild Boar Present in forested tracks throughout Indian and also in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam
(Endangered)


Family : Tragulidae
Genus : Trugulus
Brisson,1762


43. Tragulus memina
Erxleben,1777 In the forested pockets of the plateau Reported from E.Singhbhum and Palamau districts Indian spotted chevrotain or Mouse deer Found in Peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Nepal Terni
(Threatened)

Family : Cervidae
Genus : Muntiacus
Rafinesque,1815
44. Muntiacus muntjak vaginalis
(Boddaert,1785) Found in the plateau Reported from E.Singhbhum, Hazaribagh and Palamau districts Indian Muntjae or Barking deer Found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal. Also occurs in Bhutan, Bangladesh, N.Burma, Yunan and N.Vietnam
(Threatened)

Genus : Axis
Smith,1827
45. Axis porcinus porcinus
(Zimmermann) Found in Plateau Not reported Hog deer Found in Meghalaya, Punjab, Tripura, U.P., and W.B. Also occurs in Nepal and Sri Lanka (introduced)
(Threatened)

46. Axis axis axis
(Erxleben,1777) Found in plateau Reported from Hazaribagh, Palamau and W.Singhbhum districts Spotted Deer Found in other states like Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and W.B.
(Vulnerable)


Genus : Cervus
Linn.,1758
47. Cervus unicolor niger Found in plateau Reported from Hazaribagh, Palamau, and W.Singhbhum districts Sambar / Sambar stag Found in other states like Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, U.P. and W.B. Also found in Nepal and Bangladesh
(Vulnerable)

48. Cirvus duvauceli duvauceli
Cuvier,1823 Found in plateau Not reported Swamp deer/ Barasingha / Potia Harin Found in Assam, Meghalaya, M.P.,U.P.,W.B. & country like Nepal
(Vulnerable)

Family : Bovidae
Genus : Bos gaurus
Smith,1827 Found in plateau Reported from Ranchi, Palamau, Simdega and W.Singhbhum districts Indian Bison or Gaur/ Junglee Buffalo/ Ban Gau Found in the forest of Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, U.P. & W.B.
(Threatened)
Genus : Bubalus
H.Smith,1827
49. Bubalus bubalis bubalis
(Linn.,1758) Reported from the plateau Not reported Wild Buffalo Found in the states like – Assam, M.P. Maharashtra and W.B. and in Sri Lanka
(Threatened)
Genus : Antilope
Pallas,1766
50. Antilope cervicapra rupicapra
Miiller,1776 Found in Plateau Reported from Dhanbad district Black buck / Kalsar/ Indian antilope/ Harin Found in Orissa, U.P., and W.B.
(Threatened)
Genus : Boselaphus
Blainville,1816
51.Boselaphus tragocamelus
(Pallas,1766) Found in plateau Reported from Palamau district Nilgai / Blue Bull Found throughout India except in extreme South Assam an Malabar Coast
(Threatened)
Genus : Tetracerus
Leach,1825
52. Tetracerus quadricornis
Blain Ville,1816 Found in plateau Reported from Hazaribagh, and Palamau districts Four horned Antilope / Chawsingha (Vulnerable)
Genus : Gazella
Blain Ville, 1816
53. Gazella gazelle bennetti
(Sykes,1831) Found in plateau Reported from Palamau and Giridih districts Indian Gazella or Chinkara or Roz deer Found in Western and Central India and in the peninsular region upto Krishna river
(Threatened)



Order : Lagomorpha
Family : Leporidae
Genus : Lepus
Linn.,1758
54. Lepus nigricollis ruficaudatus
Geoffroy,1826 Found in plateau Reported from Palamau district Rufous – tailed hare/ common Indian Hare/ Kharra, Sasru/ Khorgose Found in Assam, M.P., Meghalaya, Orissa, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, U.P. and W.B.
(Rare)
Order : Rodentia
Family : Sciuridae
Genus : Petaurista
Link,1795
55. Petaurista petaurista philippines
(Elliot,1839) Found in plateau Reported from W.Singhbhum district Common giant flying squirrel or Brown flying Squirrel Found in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, W.B.
(Vulnerable)

Genus : Funambulus
Lesson,1835
56. Funambulus palmarum palmarum
(Linn.,1766) Found in plateau Reported from Giridih district, Hazaribagh district Indian Palm Squirrel / Common Striped squirrel/ Gilhari/ Beral/ Lakki Found in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, W.B. an Nepal
(Rare)

57. Funumbulus pennati
Wroughton,1905 Found in plateau Reported from Giridih, Palamau, Hazaribagh and W.Singhbum districts Northern Palm Squirrel / Five Stripped Squirrel Found in Andaman Islands, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, M.P.,U.P., W.B., Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Sikkim (Rare)
Genus : Ratufa
Gray,1867
58. Ratufa indica centralis
Ryley,1913 Found in plateau Reported from Singhbhum plateau Indian giant squirrel Also found in Karnataka, M.P., Orissa, and Tamil Nadu
(Vulnerable)
Family : Hystricidae
Genus : Hystrix
Linn.,1755
59. Hystrix indica indica
Kerr,1792 Found in plateau Reported from Palamau district Indian crested porcupine/ Sahi/ sayal/ Sajaru/ sarsal/ Soori Occurs throughout India except in North Eastern portion, Syria, Iraq, S.Arabia, Iran, Russia, Turkistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China
(Threatened)

Family : Muridae
Genus : Vandeleuria
Gray,1837
60. Vandeleleuria oleracea
(Bennett,1832)
(Mus oleracea) Found in plateau Reported from Hazaribagh district Indian long tail tree mouse Found in Gujarat, Karnataka, M.P., Maharashtra, U.P.
(Rare)

61. V.oleracea dumeticola
(Hodgson,1845) Not reported Reported from W.Singhbhum district Indian long tail tree mouse Found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Orissa, Sikkim, U.P. and W.B.
(Rare)

Genus : Millardia
Thomas,1911

62. Millardia meltada meltada
(Gray,1837) Not reported Reported from Giridih, and Hazaribagh districts Soft ferred Field rator metad Also found in Bihar, Kerala, M.P., and Tamil Nadu
(common)
Genus : Cremnomys
Wraughton,1912

63. Cremnomys blanfordi
(Thomas,1881) Not reported Reported from Giridih and Hazaribagh district Blanford rat Found in Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, W.B.
(Rare)




Genus : Rattus
Fischer,1803
64. Rattus rattus arborius
(Horsfield,1851)
(Mus deccumanus) Found in plateau Reported from E.Singhbhum, Giridih, Hazaribagh, and Palamau districts
House rat/ Brown rat Occurs in Bihar, Orissa, U.P. and W.B.
(Common)
65. Rattus rattus rufescens
(Gray,1837) Not reported Reported from Hazaribagh, and Singhbhum districts House rat/ Brown rat Found in all major states of India and Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia
(Common)

66. Rattus cutihicus medius
(Thomas,1916) Not reported Reported from Hazaribagh district The cutch Rock-rat Found in Bihar and Gujarat
(Rare)

Genus : Mus
Linn.,1758


67. Mus musculus casteneus
Waterhous,1843 Occurs in the plateau Reported from Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Palamau and W.Singhbhum districts House mouse Found in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Orissa, W.B., and in other countries like – Africa, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and New Guinea
(Common)




68. Mus booduga booduga
(Gray,1837) Not reported Reported from Bokaro, Giridih, Hazaribagh and W.Singhbhum districts Little Indian field mouse (common in paddy field during harvesting time) Found in Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Orissa, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and W.B. and also in Bangladesh
(Common)

69. Mus dunni
(Wroughton,1912) Not reported Reported from Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Palamau and W.Singhbhum districts - Distributed in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, U.P., and W.B.
(Rare)



70. Mus platzthrix
Bennett,1832 Not reported Reported from Giridih and Hazaribagh districts Brown spiny mouse Distributed in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, M.P., Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and W.B. (Rare)

Genus : Diomys
Thomas,1837
71. Diomys crumpi
Thomas,1837 Not reported Reported from Giridih district Crumps Mouse Found in Bihar and Manipur
(Vulnerable)





Genus : Golunda
Gray,1837

72. Golunda ellioti ellioti
(Gray,1837) Not reported Reported from Giridih district Indian Bush rat Found in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, W.B., and in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal
(Vulnerable)


Genus : Bendicota
Gray,1873


73. Bendicota bengalensis bengalensis
(Gray,1833) Reported from the plateau (Common in Godowns, Shops & near residential house)






Reported from Bokaro, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Palamau, W.Singhbhum districts Lesser Bandicoot rat Distributed in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Burma
(Common)
74. Bandicota indica indica
(Bechstein,1836) Reported from the plateau Reported from Hazaribagh district Large Baudicoot rat or Pig rat (from this word the Bandicoot in derived) Found in Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Rajasthan and U.P.
(Common)



Genus : Nesokia
Gray,1837

75. Nesokia indica indica
(Gray,1832) Reported from the plateau Reported from the crop field of Chotanagpur Short tail or mole rat Occurs in Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, W.B., and Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh
(Common)



Genus : Tatera
Lataste,1882

76. Tatera indica indica
(Hardwicke,1807) Found in the plateau

Reported from Hazaribagh and Palamau districts Indian Antelope rat / Indian Jarboa rat In India it is found Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, M.P., Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, U.P. and W.B. and in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal
(common)

CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE :
Change of climate has the Law of Nature. It is a shift in the “average weather” that a given region experiences. This measured by changes in all the features we associate with weather, such as temperature, amount of rain fall, wind pattern, precipitation and cyclonic or super-cyclonic state or storms. The earth’s natural climate has always been and still is constantly changing. The climate change we are seeing today differs from previous climate change in both its rates and its magnitude. The principal causes of climate are accumulation of green house gases (GHG), depletion of ozone layer, loss of carbon sink (vegetation cover) and loss of habitat, vanishing of keystone species of some plants and animal species as well as biodiversity. The most important factor is the population explosion both regionally and globally affecting the carrying capacity of the earth.
Therefore, the climate change trend should be reversed to allow the earth to support all life on it for longer period. The human population control, change in life style, exploration of non-conventional energy from source like sun, wind, ocean current, protection and conservation of existing natural habitats alongwith keystone species and promotion of tree cover are some of the steps which need due attention towards mitigation measures.


REFERENCES
1. Agrawal,V.C., Das,P.K., : 1992 : State Fauna series 3: Chakroborty,S., Ghosh,A.K. Fauna of West Bengal Mandal, A.K.Chakraborty (Ed. Director, Z.S.I.
Kolkata, India) Part-I, Mammalia; 27-169 pp.
2. Blanford,W.T. : 1888-89: The fauna of British
India, including Cylon and Burma;Mammalia;London (Taylor & Francis)
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Z.S.I. Kolkata-06; 236 pp.
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5. Das,P.K, Lal,J.P., & : 1993 : Mammalia. In-Fauna of Agarwal,V.C. Orissa, Part IV, Calcutta
(Z.S.I.Kolkata);143-180 pp.
6. Dilip Kumar and : 2010 : Climate change and its K.Venkateshvaran effect on Fisheries;
Biodiversity and Human Welfare; 45-61 pp

7. Honacki,J.H., Kinman,K.E., : 1982 : Mammal species of the   & Koeppl,J.W.(Eds.) world; Kansas (Allen
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India, including Cylon and Burma. Mammalia, Vol.I. Primates and Carnivora (in Part), London (Taylor & Francis)
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India, including Cylon and Burma. Mammalia, Vol.II. Carnivora; London (Taylor & Francis)

12. Sharma,P.D. : 2007 : Ecology and environment
(10threvised ed.); Rastogi publ. Meerut-2; 370-394 pp.