Management and Conservation of Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve: in Special Reference to Its Flagship Species Swamp Deer (Cervus Duvaceli Duvaceli) in Uttarakhand State India

Jhilmil Jheel is a saucer shaped wetland situated on the left bank of River Ganges in Chiriyapur forest range of Haridwar district in Uttarakhand State, India. The sighting of swamp deer in this area was reported by the authours on 1st February, 2005. Later, on 14 August 2005, the area was declared among one of the first Conservation Reserve in India by the Hon President of India Prof Abdul Kalam. The area is rich in faunal and floral diversity including four species of deer (Chital, Sambar, Barking deer and Swamp deer), Wild Elephant, Nilgai and Common leopard occasionally tiger and a large number of resident and winter migratory birds. Tantpur village is the only village adjacent to Jhilmil Jheel. The village came into existence only after 1950's. These villagers strongly support conservation of Swamp deer in Jhilmil Jheel. Efforts are made here to highlight the management needs for the betterment in conserving Swamp deer, its habitat and as a whole flora and fauna of the Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve with the cooperation of people of adjacent Tantwala village.