We aim to study the endangered species as described by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) like Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) in Odisha, India - Gahirmatha, Devi River mouth, and Rushikulya beaches, South Asiatic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) in India, Red Pandas(Ailurus fulgens) in the hilly Eastern region of India. The major threats posed to these species include habitat loss and destruction due to rapids urbanization and industrialization .But due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemics since all the tourism industries are shut down completely and human interference has become minimal therefore the change in behavioural pattern of these species is observed. The another major reason for this is the particulate matter present in air such as PM 2.5 and PM 10 have reduced by almost 50%. Thus, we tend to understand the impacts of change in environmental and ocean conditions on these species abundance, distribution, and demographics, gleaning life history and population health information from stranding and fisheries bycatch datasets.We also studied the foraging and reproductive behavior of these species which revealed that the mass nesting of the Olive Ridley turtle in empty sea beaches. We have also done the comparative analysis on Tourism data for the past few years which revealed high rate of tourist visit from March to May (2011-2017). But we found that in this year reduced human interference due to complete lockdown have no reported tourist visits which informed Red Pandas to mate naturally that has a much higher success rate over Artificial Mating. A comparative time-series analysis of Total Coliform (TC) in the water of the River Ganges at two different sites (2nd Hooghly Bridge, closed triangles; Babughat, closed circles) collected during pre-monsoon season is also done in order to study the species behavior of South Asiatic Dolphin during pre COVID and COVID pandemic time. The project aims to identify a link between the reduction of human movement with survival of endangered species. The links rely on reduction of side effects of plentitude of human activities. It is observed that the sea temperature nearcthe beach is reduced, air pollution is reduced and gangetic water pollution is also reduced. This work thus looks at the covid pandemic from a different and new perspective - perspective of the animals and a possible restirction of their habitat..Thus, we have made a clear correlation between the reduced human movement and survival conditions of these animals using the datasets available that aims to provide hopeful future direction.
Covid-19 has been having a great impact on human life. Numerous studies have been done on human behavior and their adaptability in this lockdown. Battling the pandemic in whatever way one can have been the priority all over the world. We wished to look at this scenario from a different point of view - the point of view of those who would not have a say – the point of view of wild animals who have been bearing the brunt of human habitat proliferation and heightened boom of the tourism industry. So much so that many of them have become a member of the endangered species are difficult to spot these days. We wanted to observe and find out if these restrictions in the human movement would mean something good for them if the reduced interaction with the humans means something good for the environment and consequently for these wild animals. This has been our motivation – to look for unsaid hints of their possible revival – because that would mean all hope for them is not lost yet. We have chosen the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, The famous Red Pandas, and the rare South Asiatic Dolphins for our observations.
Approach:
We have taken specific parameters for observations regarding the change in habitat and corresponding effects or projected effects on the survival of these endangered animals.
1. Parameters chosen for the red pandas have been floral vegetation and tourist footfall in the state of Sikkim in India pre and post COVID.
2. Parameters chosen for the Olive Riddle turtles have been sea surface temperature at the coastal area of Odissa pre and post COVID.
3. The parameter chosen for the Gangetic river dolphins has have been water pollution levels in the Ganges pre and post COVID.
Application of Space Data:
The space data helped us in the following ways:
We have taken help of the space data to make the following observations:
1. Air pollution level in the pre-COVID time and currently in India to indicate an improved habitation.
2. Sea surface temperature near the Odissa beach for the Olive Riddle.
3. Vegetation plot near the Himalayan region in India.
Tools and Software used:
Html and Html 5
CSS and CSS3
Javascript (Bootstrap Jquery plugins)
Framework: Bootstrap 4
Font Awesome
Popper.Js
NPM package manager is used and the bootstrap4 Font Awesome and Popper.js are being downloaded locally in the node modules file.
Problems: We have faced two major problems while developing this project. Primarily lack proper surveillance dataset for the endangered species. Neither the dense jungles of singalila, the Odissa beach nor the Gangetic basin has any proper protocol and ensuing database to methodically indicate the population and survival of these animals. Consequently, most of the data readily available have been old and projections have to be made.
Achievements:
We have made a clear correlation between the reduced human movement and survival conditions of these animals using the datasets available. This is a hopeful future direction.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=178F5ZCPQokpt6LGzqkXhxM7nXgWLyJeM
1) https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ptree/index.html
2) https://iasi-ft.eu/covid-19/india-air-pollution/
3) https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/
4) https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/11534/3292503
5) https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/714/110023718
5) https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41758/151913336
6) http://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/DepartmentStakeholders/TouristArrivalStats.aspx
7) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341151453
8) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341151453