Takhe Bamin, Msc Wildlife Management "National Geographic Explorer"
Hunting and cultural practices by Apatani Tribe of Eastern Himalaya
Importance of this study
Conserving wildlife within the remaining forest fragments will depend upon our understanding of the impact of hunting in fragment habitats and developing appropriate management strategies. The current hunting situation has both a direct and indirect impact on the community structure, and if left unmanaged, could cause an irreversible impact on the ecosystem. To counter this, it is very important to initiate studies investigating the community and surrounding forests, in order to understand and quantify wildlife hunting pressure which will provide the proper data to introduce any further research and conservation actions which are vital for biodiversity and the local community.
Sleeping site preference in a group of Central Himalayan Langur
Virendra Mathur, Msc, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali

The objective of this study is to understand the sleeping site preference in a habituated population of Central Himalayan Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus) and understand the choice of sleeping tree species fashioned by the change in weather conditions, from wet to dry during the months of August to December, as well as other ecological constraints like parasite avoidance, predation avoidance, and social dynamics. Such a study shall provide the necessary insight into exploring the socio-ecology of the virtually unknown Central Himalayan Langur species. Virendra Mathur, a final year Masters student at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, will be undertaking the above said study as a part of his masters dissertation thesis work.