Diversity and Distribution of Squirrel Species in Different Forest Fragments of Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Jorhat, Assam, India

Squirrels are one of the most important group of small mammals found in Northeast India. Among all the 27 widely distributed squirrels species 17 are found in Northeast India. The most extensively studied squirrels are represented by Rock Squirrels, Columbian Ground Squirrels, Grizzled Giant Squuirrels, Giant Flying Squirrels, Persian Squirrels, Indian Giant Squirrels and have wide distribution. But the information regarding the study of squirrels in Assam and Northeast India is very limited. Thus, the emphasis has been made to investigate the diversity and distribution of squirrel species in Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam from 2000 to 2012. Line Transect Method (Burnham et al, 1980) and Scan Animal Sampling Method (Altmann, 1974) was used. A total of four squirrel species viz. , Ratufa bicolor, Dremomys lokriah, Callosciurus pygerythrus and Funambulus palmarum were encountered. Proper protection of natural habitat with fruiting trees and alleviate anthropogenic disturbances are the major conservation measures proposed for squirrel conservation.