Table Of ContentTropical Natural History 13(2): 107-129, October 2013
2013 by Chulalongkorn University
Evaluating the Impact of Human Activities during the Maha–
Kumbh 2010 Fair on Elephants in the Shivalik Elephant Reserve
RITESH JOSHI*
Conservation & Survey Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi, 110 003, INDIA
* Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Received: 17 May 2013; Accepted: 10 September 2013
Abstract.– Drastic ecological changes in the Shivalik Elephant Reserve and the rapid rate of developmental
and anthropogenic activities are expected to lead to a severe threat and unusual behavioural changes in
elephants. This notion was assessed during the Maha–Kumbh 2010 (the greatest fair on earth), which had a
wide impact on the elephant populations in the lesser Himalayan zone, north–west India. To evaluate the
effects of tourist pressure, developmental and anthropogenic activities on the elephant populations, 87
surveys were performed in different wildlife corridors spread across the Rajaji National Park and
Haridwar forest division and on the roads that dissect across this crucial elephant habitat, during January
2010 to April 2010. Ground surveys were used from September 2009 to January 2010 in different locations
where developmental work was ongoing in Haridwar city and its adjoining areas to identify the potential
impact of these developmental projects and human activities before the commencement of the event.
Developmental projects accounted for highest impact on the elephants as this included renovation of roads
and temporary constructions in between the protected habitats. Tourist influx into the shrines situated
within this area has also hindered the frequent movement of elephants to a great extent. The vehicle traffic
on the roads running between the elephant habitats has also restricted the frequent movement of the
elephants to and from the River Ganges. Some unusual behavioural responses of elephants were observed,
and these may cause extreme changes in their distribution and movements. In addition, encroachment into
the protected areas by humans (tourists and locals) has caused erratic patterns in the seasonal movements
of various animals, including elephants. Therefore, understanding how elephant populations react to such
vast events is essential for addressing future challenges in elephant management and conservation.
KEY WORDS: Maha–Kumbh 2010, Asian elephant, impact, motor roads, Shivalik Elephant Reserve, Rajaji
National Park
movement of elephants. The intense
INTRODUCTION
pressure imposed by the shear number of
people, vehicle traffic and developmental
Haridwar city is entirely surrounded with
activities in and around the city and between
forests that form part of the Shivalik
some crucial wildlife corridors placed a
Elephant Reserve (SER) in the lesser
significant stress on the elephant
Himalayan zone and upper Gangetic plains
populations. Behavioural studies of
(Fig. 1). On the east side of the City is the
individual animals in the appropriate social
Chilla forest of the Rajaji National Park
contexts are necessary for, and integral to,
(RNP) and the Shyampur forest of the
the development of effective management
Haridwar Forest Division (HFD), whereas
plans for any species (Singh and Kaumanns,
on the Southwest border of the City is the
2005). Previous studies have shown that
Haridwar and Motichur forests of the RNP
anthropogenic disturbance and
(Fig. 2). In 2010, the holy Maha-Kumbh
developmental activities can reduce the use
event was held in Haridwar City, which
of wildlife habitats by limiting the animal’s
adversely affected the traditional seasonal
movement (Johnsingh and Williams, 1999;
108 TROPICAL NATURAL HISTORY 13(2), OCTOBER 2013
FIGURE 1. (A) A portion of the Kumbh area (Har–ki–Padi), surrounded by the protected habitats of the Rajaji
National Park (RNP) and Haridwar forest division (HFD), and (B) an overview of the Haridwar-Kharkhari
by-pass running across the RNP.
Burson et al., 2000; Singh and Sharma, This study assessed the impact of
2001; Pelletier, 2006; Joshi and Singh, developmental and other anthropogenic
2007). In addition, the movement of animals activities on the elephants of the RNP and
is potentially restricted in places where HFD during the Maha-Kumbh 2010 festival,
roads and trails are present. However, as including the behavioral responses of
most of the roads dissect across potential elephants in respect of these drastic changes.
habitats of the elephants, then elephants use There is very little scientific data available
these roads and jungle trails on a routine on the effect of such dramatic impacts upon
basis. elephants even though such reports are of
paramount importance in evaluating and
JOSHI — EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON ELEPHANTS 109
successfully implementing elephant world record for the largest congregation of
conservation management and in reducing human beings at a single place and time.
detrimental elephant-human conflicts, or in There were three royal bathe viz. 12th
understanding the failure of such programs. February (Maha Shivratri), 15th March
An adaptive management approach will be (Somvati Aamavashya) and 14th April
crucial, including the provision of suitable (Baisakhi, the biggest bathe), while midway
connective corridors between habitats, during the fair, the 30th March religious
which is likely to be of paramount bathe (Chaitra Purnima) was also given the
importance. Since, we are only just royal bathe status by Akhada Parishad,
beginning to learn the response of elephants which is the national governing body of all
to such derisive impacts, the results of this thirteen Akhadas (representative outfits of a
study could be considered as important particular saint community). The magnitude
because currently no other published data of this event could also be seen from the fact
exists that explores the impact of such a that more than 60 million pilgrims/tourists
large event on the wild fauna, especially in were present in various ghats of Ganga in
north India. Haridwar. More than 22,000 security police
personnel (‘Mela-Police’) were specifically
The Maha-Kumbh 2010 stationed in this area for this mega fair,
Maha-Kumbh 2010 fair was held in the while a special ‘Mela–Administration’ was
Haridwar city of Uttarakhand State and was formed to oversee the fair works and
the first Kumbh fair of this century. preparations.
Spanning across 130 km2 and covering the
districts of Haridwar, Pauri, Tehri and
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Dehradun, the fair was the biggest Kumbh
organized to date. Maha-Kumbh has a
Study Area.– The RNP (Fig. 2), located in
religious significance in Hindu Mythology,
north–west India at 29º15'-30º31' N 77º52'-
with this event being held every twelfth
78º22' E, elevation 250-1100 m above mean
year, while the Ardh-Kumbh fair (shorter
sea level (amsl), is in the lesser Himalayan
version of Maha-Kumbh) gets held every
zone and the upper Gangetic plains. The
six years. In India, four cities organize the
total geographical area of RNP is 820 km2,
Maha-Kumbh fair alternately, of which the
and it is part of the SER that was established
Haridwar Kumbh is the longest, with that
in 1983 with the aim of maintaining a viable
for 2010 lasting for four months (January 1st
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
to April 28th, 2010). Allahabad (Uttar
population. Accordingly it is designated a
Pradesh), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) and
reserved area for ‘Project Elephant’ by the
Nasik (Maharashtra) are the other cities that
Ministry of Environment and Forests,
also host this fair.
Government of India. The dominant
The magnitude of Maha-Kumbh fair can
vegetation of the area is comprised of Sal
be gauged by the fact that on April 13th and
Shorea robusta, Rohini Mallotus
14th – the day of ‘Shahi Snan’ (royal bathe)–
phillipinensis, Khair Acacia catechu, Haldu
Baisakhi, approximately 16.3 million people
Adina cordifolia, Bahera Terminalia
were present in the Haridwar Kumbh fair
bellirica, Bar Ficus bengalensis and
area. This record was based on satellite
Shisham Dalbergia sissoo. Prime fauna of
images and administrative records, and is a
110 TROPICAL NATURAL HISTORY 13(2), OCTOBER 2013
FIGURE 2. Map of Rajaji National Park (RNP) showing the location of Haridwar city and Maha–Kumbh
2010 festival.
the park consists of tiger Panthera tigris, and the Corbett National Park (CNP), and so
leopard Panthera pardus, sloth bear maintains a good population size of
Melursus ursinus, Hyaena Hyaena hyaena, elephants in the country without complete
barking deer Muntiacus muntjak, goral fragmentation. This study was conducted in
Nemorhaedus goral, spotted deer Axis axis, the Chilla, Gohri, Haridwar and Motichur
sambar Cervous unicolor, wild boar Sus forests of the RNP and Shyampur and
scrofa and among reptilian fauna the Chiriapur forests of the HFD. However,
mugger crocodile Crocodylus palustris and only the outer/buffer zones were used for
king cobra Ophiophagus hannah represents field-work as most of the roads dissect
Rajaji’s faunal diverseness. across these sites. As most of the
° construction activities were ongoing in or
HFD is located at 29 54.602’ North
adjoining to the protected areas,
°
Latitude, 78 11.982’ East Longitude, at
observations were made on the temporary
271.2 m amsl and is well connected with the
construction work, which was carried out
RNP and Lansdowne forest division (LFD)
before the commencement of the event. All
and holds a healthy population of wild
of these protected habitats are tropical moist
animals, which the Rajaji carries. All these
deciduous forests and consist of unique
protected areas together make a long chain
topographical features, which also include
of natural habitats, allowing movement of
part of the Shivalik foothills/landscape.
the elephant populations between the RNP
JOSHI — EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON ELEPHANTS 111
Methods.– To evaluate the effects of the RESULTS
developmental and anthropogenic activities,
87 surveys along the roads/national
Human alteration of the global
highways (No. 72 & 74) and in the
environment has triggered the sixth known
adjoining forests were conducted between
mass extinction event in the history of life and
1st January 2010 and 30th April 2010,
caused widespread changes in the global
inclusive. The transect distance was
distribution of organisms (Chapin III et al.,
finalized based on the field conditions and
2000). Understanding the effects of humans
preferences were given to the sites where
on wildlife and its populations, as well as
the movement of elephants was frequent.
devising strategies to ameliorate these effects,
Since elephants are known to predominantly
is an increasingly difficult but equally
emerge from the forest during the evening
important challenge for resource managers
hours, most observations were made
(Steidl and Powell, 2006). With the increase in
between 15:00 hours and 19:00 hours, but
human populations across elephant ranges, the
observations were also made during the
demand for land and consequential changes in
early morning hours (06:00 hours to 10:00
the land use pattern (biotic pressure) has
hours) since elephants move between forests
increased drastically, which has then in turn
during these hours by crossing the roads.
affected the surviving/viable populations of
The data collected formed part of the animal
the flora and fauna including elephants.
monitoring activities where the daily record
Moreover, human encroachment into the
was based on direct sightings and indirect
forest areas has put this elephants at further
evidence, such as fresh signs of recent
risk and promoted the human – elephant
feeding, footprint impressions and fresh
conflict in this area. Currently, in some ranges,
dung piles. In addition, discussions were
the situation is of serious concern with the
made with local villagers, Gujjars (where
elephants seemingly struggling for existence.
available), staff of the forest department and
To try to mitigate this conflict the Government
the workers of various non-government
has taken several initiatives, which have
organizations to gather further information
included the rehabilitation of communities
and views on the aspect.
from protected habitats and restoration of
To assess the vehicular traffic pressure,
ecological corridors, and ensuring community
the number of vehicles during three one-
participation, amongst others.
hour periods (early morning, mid-day and
Human activities are widely considered as
evening hours) was counted during specific
a threat to the natural activities of all animals
occasions and royal bathe days (special
and their extinction, including elephants.
bathe days). Special emphasis was also
Changes in the animals’ activity budget,
given to weekends (Saturday and Sunday),
displacement from their preferred habitat,
as the tourist rush was higher on these two
interrupted and irregular traditional seasonal
days. Field binocular (Nikon Action series,
movement, and energetic stresses are some of
10X50 CF) and Nikon Coolpix 8700
the more common effects associated with
Camera was used for field observations and
human and developmental activities. The
to document photographic evidences.
impact of development and biotic pressure on
Garmin GPS was used to denote
elephant’s natural activities has been
geographical coordinates.
summarized in Table 1.
112 TROPICAL NATURAL HISTORY 13(2), OCTOBER 2013
JOSHI — EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON ELEPHANTS 113
114 TROPICAL NATURAL HISTORY 13(2), OCTOBER 2013
JOSHI — EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON ELEPHANTS 115
Impact on Wildlife Corridors prefer to feed upon some riparian grass
Elephants’ Movement in the Motichur– species available across the Ganges.
Kansrao–Barkot Wildlife Corridor:- From Notably, elephants were observed diverting
observations made over the last decade and their movements towards the Shyampur
those documented prior to that, the frequent (HFD) and Gohri forests (RNP), where
movement of elephants in the Motichur – other sources of water were present. The
Barkot wildlife corridor was only recently movement of elephants was found to
observed for the first time and has continued increase about two-fold in these forests at
since. Between March 2009 and November this period. However, biotic pressure is
2009 inclusive groups of elephants and higher in these forests as compared to other
solitary bulls were found moving from the ranges because of the presence of Gujjars.
Motichur forest to Barkot forest by crossing In addition, the elephants’ movement was
the River Song and Haridwar–Dehradun found to increase near to Laxman Jhula
national highway near to Chidderwala south forest (Kumbhi chaur) and near to the
village. During the same period the riparian corridor of the Ganges, which is
movement of elephants was enhanced near situated opposite the Triveni Ghat in
to the Gumaniwala and Dhalwala areas and Rishikesh.
several cases of the movement of elephants Restricted Movements at Soni Shroath
outside this area were observed. However, bridge.- From mid-February 2010 to April
after January 2010 during the Maha Kumbh 2010, no movement of elephants was
festival the movement of elephants in this observed at Soni shroath bridge, basically
area was restricted, mainly because of the due to the large amount of vehicular traffic,
level of traffic on the roads, especially whereas during January 2010 elephants used
during the evening hours. this bridge five to six times to move
Elephants’ Movement in the Gohri between the forests as this belt is rich in
Forest.- Congested and uncontrolled vehicle Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham) – one of the
traffic along the Haridwar–Chilla–Rishikesh favourite food items of elephants (Fig. 3).
road formed a barrier against the movement On the other hand, the movement of
of elephants towards the River Ganges. elephants near to the River Binj was only
During the Maha Kumbh festival, between observed once during November 2009 to
January 2010 and April 2010, elephants May 2010 inclusive. From the Chilla power-
were observed in this track only eight times house to the Gohri forest check post (22 km
(groups of elephants on six occasions and long track) there is no way for the elephants
solitary bulls only on two other occasions). to cross the canal except at two points (Soni
Elephants were found crossing the road after shroath and River Binj). Two other small
dusk (20:00 hour onwards) and returning bridges are also situated over the canal near
back before dawn, as they could not cross to Kaudia village and Kunao forest.
the road during day hours due to the level of However, the elephants’ access to these two
traffic using the road. Elephants are known tracks was restricted. Sometimes elephants
to widely use the Chilla forest from utilize the Kunao bridge to move between
December to June, and most probably from the forests or to visit the River Ganges,
February onwards, since with the onset of whereas movement over the Kaudia bridge
summer the natural water sources present was essentially stopped some 10 years ago
inside the forest diminish and elephants due primarily to large amount of
116 TROPICAL NATURAL HISTORY 13(2), OCTOBER 2013
FIGURE 3. (A) A bull elephant crossing a narrow bridge situated over the Ganga canal in the Haridwar Forest
division (HFD), and (B) elephants drinking water from the east Ganga canal in the Shyampur Forest.
anthropogenic activities and the presence of the Anjani forest and towards the River
the Kaudia and Ganga Bhogpur (talla & Ganges. A tremendous amount of traffic
malla) villages at the very edge of the was found to use this highway even during
bridge. the night period and accordingly the
Barriers in the Khara – Anjani forests elephants’ movement towards the River
stretch/connectivity.- Kumbh authority has Ganges was curtailed. In addition, the forest
established a temporary police check-post at staff were also been assigned to deter the
Singhal-ka-pul heading East over the Ganga elephants away when they were observed
canal in Shyampur forest (HDF; Haridwar– near to the highway. Although elephants are
Bijnor national highway) and this is situated known to enter agriculture fields by crossing
on one of the important corridors for the this highway, since the implementation of
elephant movement from the Khara forest to this deterrence policy by the forest staff the
