Burrow Density and Crop Damage Caused by Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) in Talagang, Punjab

Abstract

The Indian crested porcupine is widely distributed worldwide and largest rodent species in Pakistan. It belongs to old world porcupine group and is notorious for causing significant losses to agricultural crops and forestry sector throughout the world. The objective of the present study was to investigate the burrow density and damage caused by this species to crops in Talagang tehsil of district Chakwal. Its burrow density was recorded in two types of habitats from the study area. It includes cropland areas with agricultural activities and the non-cropland areas for study. From these two areas 28 and 27 burrows were found in respective habitats within 5 quadrates of 1km2 in each. The ratio of active burrows was more in noncropland area that specifies its preferred place of living. For estimation of damage caused by the foraging activities of Indian crested porcupine in the study area the data was recorded at three stages i.e., early, premature and mature stage of two major crops, groundnut and wheat. Average 4% and 18.5% damage was observed on premature and mature stages of groundnut while 0.15% and 0.57% damage was found on premature and mature stages of wheat crop respectively. The results might prove to be helpful for the farmers of the region to protect their crop from rodent damage as they are made aware of the patterns of damage of these rodents.