Seasonal Food Preference of Cheetal ( Axis axis ) And Sambar Deer ( Cervus unicolor ) In Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

This study is based on two years field study by direct observation and questionnaire method in Bijrani and Jhirna zones of Corbett National Park. Cheetal ( Axis axis) and Sambar deer ( Cervus unicolor ) are found with their sympatric species Barking deer in Corbett Park. The population of Cheetal and Sambar in different vegetative areas of Corbett varies according to the availability of their favourite food (seasonal). This study reveals that Cheetal preferred new sprouting of Cynadon dactylon , green Desmostachya bipinnata , Eulaliopsis binata , Setaria species, Heteropogon species, Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum bengalensis, and Saccharum narenga in grassland. In dense shrub area, Cheetal preferred green tender leaves of Murraya koenegi, Glycosmis arbores, and fruits of Ziziphus mauritiana, Emblica officinalis, and Solanum nigrum . In Sal-mixed forest Cheetal preferred green fallen leaves of Shorea robusta, Adena cordifolia, Mallotus philippensis and leaves & fruits of Syzigium cumini, Agle marmels, Ficus racemosa, Diospyras tomentosa, flowers of Bombax ceiba (calyx), Cassia fistula etc. In the water-side area Cheetal preferred Dalbergia sissoo, S. munja, Phragmites roxburghii and Acacia catechu etc. Sambar is mostly found in dense shrub area and preferred leaves of M. koenegi, G. arbores, E. officinalis, Justicia adhatoda, Z. mauritiana . In Sal-mixed forest, Sambar preferred leaves of S. robusta, A. cordifolia, A. marmeles, Dendrocalamus strictus, and flowers of B. ceiba etc. In grassland, Sambar preferred S. munja, I. cylindrica, D. bipinnata, E. binata . In water-side Sambar preferred A. arabica, P. roxburghii, and D. sissoo on a priority basis. Sambar generally preferred course food like rough leaves, bark, seeds, flowers, soft twigs, and large grasses.


INTRODUCTION
Jim Corbett National Park is a center of attraction for Indian and foreign tourists. The first thing we start to see is herds of Cheetal deers (Axis axis) as soon as we enter Corbett Park. Cheetal deer are mainly found in the grasslands area and they live in groups of 10-50 individuals or more. Its herd (group) consists of females with their young and 1-2 stags (males). The body coat of Cheetal deer is reddish brown (rufous colour) with white spots scattered on it. The underparts of the body like the abdomen, inner legs, and inner tail are white [8]. Cheetal prefers open grassland during winter and more • Email: editor@ijfmr.com

IJFMR23033407
Volume 5, Issue 3, May-June 2023 2 forested patches during summer when the grass is low in abundance [7]. In Corbett National Park the approximate weight of an adult Cheetal deer is 85 kg, its height is 50 cm from the shoulder, and its antler length is 80 cm [6]. The hairs of the coat are soft and shiny. The sebaceous and apocrine glands located at the base of the hair shaft exclude oily liquid and this gives the coat a glossy appearance [3]. About a dozen grass species and 29-36 browse species are reportedly consumed by Cheetal in different areas [7] [10].
The largest-sized deer species known as Sambar (Cervus unicolor) is also found in dense shrub area and Sal-mixed forest of the Corbett. Its size is larger than the rest of the deer species found in India [9]. Its weight is about 225-320 kg, height is 135-150 cm and antler length is 90-95 cm [6]. The populations of Sambar deer are vulnerable (VU) because of overexploitation for subsistence and markets in meat and antlers [2]. Corbett National Park has boundaries that are circumscribed by legislation. The natural habitat of the animals is preserved inside the Corbett and the animals are also protected from extraneous predators and diseases. Corbett is a dry deciduous type forest with mixed vegetation due to all these reasons, Sambar species have survived in Corbett till now.
In Mudumalai, the Sambar utilized the dry deciduous forest with tall grasses and moist deciduous forests more than any other habitat [11]. Karanth and Sunquist [5] found habitat-specific differences in Sambar densities with teak-dominated and moist deciduous forests having significantly higher densities 4.9-10.4 per sq. km. and 3.0-11.1 per sq. km. compared to dry deciduous forests (0.1-1.8 per sq. km). The highest density of Sambar deer (15-26 per sq. km) in its range has been recorded in Rajaji National Park in North-Western India [4].

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY Site Description:
This study is done in Bijrani and Jhirna zone of Corbett National Park. The latitude and longitude of Bijrani zone are 29.4613°N and 79.1478°E respectively and its area is about 117.77 sq. km [1]. There are some different sites inside the Bijrani zone, Semalchour chowki, Bijrani-sot, Bijrani forest rest house, Pakki-Puliya, Ringoda-chaur, Jad-Pahad, Cheetal-road, Kichaar-road, Machan-chaur, and Malani. The latitude and longitude of Jhirna zone are 29.26°N and 78.56°E respectively and its area is about 56.99 sq. km. Different sites inside Jhirna zone are Khara-gate, Bhagwan-guru chowki, Laldhang-chaur, Kothiro-river side, Watch tower, Jhirna forest rest house, Dhara grassland, and Dharachowki.

Shrub area:
The shrub area is very important because shrubs, grasses, and some tree species are also found. In the Bijrani zone, there are mainly Lantana camera bushes. Whereas Jhirna zone has the maximum number of Zizyphus mauritiana bushes. Along with these other species of shrubs like Murraya koenegi, Glycosmis arbores, Helictocers isora, Clerodenderon infortunatum, Justicia adhatoda and Solanum nigrum. In grasses Cynadon dactylon, Desmostachya bipinnata, Imperata cylindrica, Chrysopogon montanus, Apluda mutica, and Dendrocalamus strictus are present with shrubs. Harad Terminaria chabula Field study and Data collection method: There are two methods for collecting primary data in research methodology, the direct observation method and the Questionnaire method. The secondary data regarding the study area, vegetation, population, behaviour and activities of Cheetal and Sambar were collected from the official websites of Corbett Park and offline newspapers and literature study.

Direct observation by field visits:
Field visits were conducted from November 2017 to June 2019. In this two years study the field is visited for 8 months each year, including the winter and summer seasons. Corbett National Park remains closed for visitors in monsoon season, from mid-June to mid-October (four months).
The study sites were visited two times in every month of the study period. The direct observation method was used (by random transect sampling) to calculate the population density of Cheetal and Sambar deer. During the field visit the following items were used to observe Cheetal and Sambar, camera, binocular (Nikon-action 16x50), mobile, lance, polythene, airtight bags, inch tape, diary, and pen. The fields were visited by gypsies and in the buffer area by foot walking. The study period is divided into four seasons based on the vegetation and temperature present here. It has pre-winter from 15 th October to 15 th December, winter from 16 th December to 15 February and spring from 16 February to 15 April, and summer from 16 April to 15 June. In every field visit a transect area of 1 sq. km. (measured by meter-reading of the vehicle) were randomly taken out from different vegetative habitats such as large grassland area (chaur), grassland with mixed tree species, water-side area, Sal-mixed forest and dense shrub area.
For food habits, the vegetation available in the study area was note down. The study animals were observed during grazing and browsing. On-site inspections and identification of that particular vegetation were made with the help of forest guide. In some places where study animals were not found, their footprints and fecal pallets were found under the trees.

Questionnaire from the local community
A total of 30 houses were visited in Aamdanda khatta and Ringoda villages adjoining to Bijrani zone (1 st study site). Similarly in the Jhirna zone (2 nd study site), a total of 30 houses were visited in Dhela and Patrani villages. Firstly a list of dominant food species of trees, shrubs, and grasses was prepared with the help of nature guides and drivers of Corbett for the questionnaire. The questionnaires were done to the local women and villagers as they go inside the forest every day to cut the grass and collect dry wood also. In the questionnaire, questions related to Cheetal and Sambar population, herd size, and feeding preferences were asked. The questionnaires were also done to the gypsy drivers and nature guides of Corbett National Park. A total of 40 questionnaires were done with gypsy drivers and nature guides. Thus a total of 100 questionnaires were found by visiting 60 houses in the villages near the Bijrani and Jhirna zone and 40 questionnaires from gypsy drivers and nature guides.
In this way, a total of 100 questionnaires were found. In the above public, 15 people went 1 to 2 times inside Corbett Park in one month, 62 people went 3 to 5 times, and 23 people went more than 5 times inside the park in one month.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In a particular vegetative habitat, the presence of large herds of Cheetal deer indicates the availability of their favourite food species in that place. Similarly, the presence of more pairs of Sambar deer in dense shrub area and Sal-mixed forest indicates the availability of the most preferred food species in those habitats. In Corbett National Park, the availability of green grasses, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds depends on its particular season. So the seasonal variation in the population of Cheetal and Sambar is found during the study period.    and Monsoon season in Corbett National Park According to questionnaire findings, the Cheetal deer is mostly found in grassland, and sprouting grass is its main food. According to public opinion (90%), Cheetal prefers almost all the grasses found in the grassland in Corbett. In the winter season, Cheetal eats most of the Dub grass and Kush grass in the grassland. Along with this, Cheetal also preferred to eat Sabai, Sirav, Narkul and Ganeria grasses in the grassland (55-68% public opinion). In the shrub area, Cheetal preferred to eat Jujube fruits (92% public opinion) with Peelu and Kari leaves (84-70% public opinion). Along with these shrubs, Cheetal preferred to eat green leaves of Vasaka and Khair from dense shrub area. In Sal-mixed forest, Cheetal preferred to eat green leaves of Kachnar, fruits of Bael, and flowers of Semal tree. Along with this, Cheetal preferred to eat fallen leaves of Haldu, Sal, Shisham, Rohini, and Jamun in Sal-mixed forest.
In the winter season, Sambar deer preferred to eat Peelu, Kari, fruits of Ber and Vasaka leaves in dense shrub area. In Sal-mixed forest, Sambar preferred to eat green leaves from Rohini, Shisham, Haldu, Kachnar and fruits of Bael. Sambar deer eats most of the Bamboo and Ganeria grass in grassland area.
In the summer season, Cheetal preferred to eat most of the Narkul grass and new sprouting Dub grass, and remaining green grasses of all species in the grassland. Cheetal preferred to eat Peelu, Ber and Kari leaves in the shrub area. In Sal-mixed forest, Cheetal preferred to eat fruits of Jamun and Bael and green leaves of Shisham, Haldu, and Rohini. In the summer season, Sambar preferred to eat leaves of Peelu and Kari in shrub area. In Sal-mixed forest, Sambar eats most of green leaves of Sal, Shisham, and fruits of Jamun. In grassland area, Sambar preferred to eat Narkul and Bamboo grasses.

CONCLUSION
In the Pre-winter season, Cheetal is found eating Cynadon dactylon grass on priority, also eat Desmostachya bipinnata, Eulaliopsis binata, Imperata cylindrica, Heteropogon species, Setaria, Saccharum munja, S. bengalensis, S.narenga, and Phragmites roxburghii. Due to the easy availability of green grass in this season, the highest population of Cheetal is found in the grasslands. In the Jhirna, In the winter season, the Cynadon dactylon and other grasses get dried up even then Cheetal eats the remaining green grasses at grassland. Cheetal also eat green leaves and fruits from Agle marmels, Syzigium cumini, Emblica officinalis, Agle marmels, Solanum nigrum, Phragmites roxburghii grass, and Saccharum munja near the waterside area. Cheetal were found eating Glycosmis arbores and Murraya koenegi leaves from the shrub area and also flowers of Ageratum conyzoides. Sambar eats leaves of Mallotus philippensis, Acacia catechu, Glycosmis arbores, Murraya koenegi, Syzigium cumini, Terminaria arjuna, Bauhinia variegate, fruits of Ziziphus mauritiana, Emblica officinalis and Ficus racemosa and certain grasses.
In the summer season, all the grass dries up in the grassland and Cheetal is found grazing on new sprouted grass also. Cheetal eats fruits of Syzigium cumini, leaves of Dalbergia sissoo, Shorea robusta, Ficus racemosa, and Adena cordifolia in Sal-mixed forest, to avoid extreme temperatures. Sambar deer eat leaves of Shorea robusta, Dalbergia sissoo, Adena cordifolia, Bauhinia varigiata, Terminaria chabula, T.bellerica, Bombax ceiba, fruits of Syzigium cumini, Glycosmis arbores and flowers of Cassia fistula etc.
Along with the changes of season, the population of Cheetal deer is found spreading from grassland to dense shrub area and Sal-mixed forest. According to the change of season, the population of Sambar deer is found in the Sal forest and grassland along with the dense shrub area.