The Impact of Tourists on Selected Wildlife Species at Nahargarh Biological Park, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur, Rajasthan, offers favorable conditions for the conservation and study of wildlife. At present since the interest and number of tourists in zoos and biological parks are increasing it has become very important to study the possible effects of tourist presence on the behaviour of wildlife. In this paper the presence of tourists and the behaviour of wildlife have been studied. For this study, three carnivores—Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, and Hyaena—and three herbivores—Chinkara, Chital, and Black Buck—were selected, and the Direct Observation Method using the Scan Sampling technique was employed. In the Direct Observation Method the number of tourists (Low-1to10), (Medium-10 to15), (High- >15) and the behaviour of wildlife (Active, Resting, Aggressive) were recorded at three different times of the day: morning, afternoon and evening. The findings showed that, regardless of whether tourist numbers were low, moderate, or high, Asiatic lions mainly displayed resting Behaviour. In contrast, Royal Bengal Tigers showed active Behaviour at low and medium tourist levels, but they moved towards resting Behaviour at high levels. Hyaenas showed resting Behaviour irrespective of the amount of tourist activity around them. Furthermore, Chinkara, Chital, and Blackbuck were observed to be active when tourist levels were low, but engaged in resting Behaviour at medium and high tourist levels. Data were gathered by observing over a period of six days during the winter season. Since maintaining the natural Behaviour of wildlife depends on a quiet environment, appropriate habitat, improved environmental enrichment, and proper management of tourists, these factors are important. Therefore this research paper may be useful for improving wildlife management and their welfare at Nahargarh Biological Park.