New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- The Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR), the last stronghold of Gaur (Bos gaurus) in Jharkhand, has registered an alarming decline in the bovid's population. It is something that has wildlife conservationists and managers extremely concerned.

Gaur play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in forests besides serving as important prey species for tigers. Being herbivores, they also help shape vegetation dynamics and contribute to seed dispersal.

Gaur numbered 150 in the 1970s. A recent study showed its population in PTR to be 68.

These bovines once flourished in Saranda, Dalma, Hazaribagh, Gumla and some other forests of Jharkhand. But now, they are mainly confined to the northern region (North Range) of PTR as a ...