Research

PhD Research- Social system and reproductive strategies of Central Himalayan langurs(Semnopithecus schistaceus) in high altitude forests of Western Himalayas India (ongoing)

Key questions

What is the reproductive strategy of Hanuman langur males in multi-male multi-female populations where infanticide does not occur?
How do females influence male reproductive success?
Quantify the role of adult male in multimale social structure

Key outcomes

We found that 67% of the herbs consumed by the langurs were damaged by livestock which had an impact of plant growth and their availability to langurs.
We also found three major groups (nematode, protozoa and trematodes) of gastrointestinal parasites in the livestock and langur populations. It is most likely that the source of this infection is the meadows, and the high number of infected livestock foraging and defecating in the meadows could be responsible for the spill over of infections into langurs

Key outcome

This project reported first information about diet of langurs in the alpine meadows.
High percent of the herb in diet shows importance of these herbs in langurs diet which they might be consuming for the medicinal value.
We found few medicinal plants species in langur diet which was reported by local people for potential medicinal use. These all findings gives basic data about the potential use of medicinal plants by langurs in the higher Himalayas and more detail study need to pursue for further confirmation of medicinal plant use by langurs.

Key outcome

Central Himalayan langur troops at different altitudes exhibited significant differences in the time spent on major behavioural activities
Conserving Carpinus viminea trees, the most important winter food resource for Central Himalayan langur.
Planting of more fodder crops in the forests near villages may thus reduce the pressure on agricultural fields and reduce the problem of langur-human conflict in these areas.

Report of this project can be downloaded from here : Report Link