Mapping of the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Corridors of Rajaji National Park using GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques.

Abstract

Habitat fragmentation is a major factor in biodiversity loss and forest degradation around the globe. In this case, wildlife corridors are the most crucial landscape elements since they play a pivotal role in maintaining the ecosystem's balance in various habitats that the impacted species prefer. Linear infrastructure development, urban sprawl, and fragmentation of the current habitats present in the study area are some of the major causes of the destruction of Asian Elephant habitats. The landscape fragmentation analysis shows that the major portion of the large core (>600 acres) has been converted into small and medium cores, patches were increased (due to the enhancement of either built-up or agricultural land) and a vast amount of the vegetated land is perforated. This formulates that there is a considerable decrease in the forest cover of the study area. The corridors present there are delineated using least cost path mapping namely Kansrau- Barkote, Tinpani, Motichoor- Gohri, Chilla- Motichoor, and Rawasan-Sonanadi which provided insight into the most suitable path for the movement of the Asian Elephants. These corridors are likewise subject to numerous concerns. The greatest way to find the best pathways for any species at risk is through the mapping of corridors, which also aids in keeping track of the status of the corridors.