Conservation of the Vulnerable Malabar Grey Hornbill in Southern Western Ghats, India

Ahirbudhnyan M

The Malabar grey hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) is a keystone species, endemic to the Western Ghats in India, and categorised as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List owing to habitat loss, fragmentation, logging and lack of nesting trees. A considerable population of this key seed disperser is found inhabiting unprotected forest areas, plantations and near to human habitations. As these secondary cavity nesters show high nest fidelity, protecting the nesting trees and habitats is crucial for their sustenance. This project, through on-the-ground conservation efforts, aims to: 1) identify and map nesting trees and nesting habitats of the species outside protected areas of Wayanad; 2) study the species' habitat quality and threats; 3) provide conservation education about the species through workshops and capacity building programs to stakeholders; 4) assess stakeholders' knowledge on the species through pre- and post-questionnaire surveys; 5) collaborate with stakeholder representatives and the Kerala Forest Department to tag the nesting trees and habitats as nesting sites of the focal species. Further, the project intends to submit a proposal to the Forest Department, with the help of consenting land and plantation owners, to designate a set area around the nesting trees as no-logging zones. This will ensure long-term conservation of the nesting sites and offer recognition to consenting owners to honour their goodwill and reinforce enthusiasm in conservation.

Watch the team's project video: