Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

SLENDER LOTAI /ABTHIT ANAYSIS IN SRI VENKATESWARA NATIONAL PARK AREAS ANDHRA PRADESH BY REMOTE SENSING

N.V. Nanda Kumar, M. Fiajasekhar S. Ameer Basha

Abstract

Satellite imagery of Sri Venkateswara National park comprising Chamala valley was obtained for the year 1998 for analysis of Slender loris (Loris tardigradus lydekkerianus) habitat. Slender lorises were spotted by flasihing light on tree branches for eye reflection in Chamala valley. The ground truthing revealed that there are ecologically and vertically stratified forested areas in isolated pockets comprising herbaceous, shrub and tree communities, as 3-tier stratal layers. Studies were extended to other locations in SVNP area for comparing habitat.The vegetation cover up for Loris habitat is described after ground truthing. Continuous arboreal corridors are more ideal habitant for lorises than broken arboreal corridors.