HN Kumara - Session 02, 2023-05-24

HN Kumara speaks about his PhD research, collaborating with the forest department in Karnataka and conservation efforts, particularly lobbying to declare parts of forests as protected areas. He details how he chose to study mammals outside protected areas, and further notes his sustained efforts to involve the forest department in his research. He speaks about research methodology, speaking about surveys and interviews of local villagers to collect data on hunting practices of mammals. He reflects on his role in lobbying for forest restoration and conservation of forest areas and animals by declaring a region as a wildlife sanctuary or a national park, touching upon specific instances.

Time-stamped section headings

(00:00:01) Selecting PhD research topic of mammals outside protected areas, reflecting on conservation of mammals in India, particularly outside protected areas

(00:10:03) Forest department collaboration for wildlife research and conservation

(00:16:15) Lion-tailed macaque population in India, with focus on ecology of the species outside protected areas

(00:21:15) Hunting practices of mammals and primate by local population in Karnataka with a focus on religion and food practices and data collection in two locations

(00:28:20) Engaging with forest department officers during PhD research

(00:35:18) Conducting surveys on slender loris and lion-tailed macaques and challenges of conducting surveys

(00:40:49) Interaction with local communities and villages during research in India

(00:47:00) Wildlife population survey methods and findings in Karnataka, India, with specific mention of wolves, slender loris, and flying squirrels

(00:53:01) Reflections on ecology research, academia, and ownership of data, focussing on a survey supported by the forest department

(00:59:14) Conservation efforts in collaboration with forest department for a 300 sq km area in Karnataka which eventually led to the formation of Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque (LTM) Sanctuary

(01:04:22) Understanding local issues in the area revolving around Garcinia gummi-gutta; finding solutions involving village forest communities

(01:07:01) Forest department planting Acacia species in barren land earlier used to collect manure to support paper mills in North Karnataka; Restoration of the barren land to ensure connectivity of forest.

(01:08:11) Summarising 20 years of effort in the area - conservation reserve, power line insulation, shifting to oven system over use of firewood, sharing a list of plant species with Forest Department, conversion of nurseries for restoration work.

(01:11:01) People in sanctuary safeguarded against relocation and supported. Including locals in the work.

(01:12:32) Details of data from study to back up the case for the reserve - Lion-tailed Macaque being a schedule-I species and an endangered species.

(01:15:48) Conservation being a continuous process; details and impact of film on the work done.

(01:19:09) Wolf population in Karnataka, India, and lobbying that led to the formation of Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary

(01:27:58) Conservation efforts for tigers in India, focusing on lobbying and scientific research

(01:35:24) Conservation policy and continuing survey of loris in Tamil Nadu