Habitat Preferences of Wild Mammalian Species around River Chenab in Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala Districts, Punjab, Pakistan

Present research was conducted to assess the anthropogenic impacts on wild mammalian diversity around river Chenab in Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts, Punjab, Pakistan. The mammalian diversity was recorded from May, 2013 through April, 2014 along forested landscapes, cultivated plantations, semi-urban and urban areas. The data on diversity and distribution of various mammalian species of the study area were collected through linear count method viz., direct observation (personal count and record voices) and indirect observation (presences of carcasses, fecal pellets, pug marks and meeting with local communities). The habitat preferences of large, medium and small mammals varied significantly. A decrease in mammalian diversity was observed from forest habitat to urban landscapes. Indian wild boar, Asiatic jackal, Indian fox, jungle cat, Indian pangolin and long-eared desert hedgehog preferred forested areas as well as slightly modified habitats while northern palm squirrel, house mouse, house shrew and rat species preferred human habitations. Similarly, a few species like small Indian mongoose, soft-furred field rat, short tailed mole rat, Asiatic jackal and Indian gerbil preferred cultivated areas. It can be concluded from present study that many of the mammalian species area habitat specific and corridors and connections among different landscapes are important for the conservation of mammalian diversity.