AINP on Rodent Control (VPM) , AAU, Jorhat

Rodents are a dominant group of mammals contributing almost 42% of all the mammal species on Earth. There are more than 2700 species of rodents worldwide. Rodents cause immense economic losses directly by consuming, damaging and contaminating food in the field, store throughout the food chain and in the homes. They also damage structures, buildings, bridges, sewers and cables etc. by gnawing and burrowing. To carry out various target specific research and extension activities in the field of vertebrate pest management, a new centre of AINP on Vertebrate Pest Management was created by ICAR at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam in 2001 with the following objectives:

1. To conduct research on rodent bio-diversity, bio-ecology as well as crop loss assessment under different agro ecosystems in respect of diversification of agriculture, farming system approaches as well as climate change.

2. Development of integrated management modules against higher vertebrates including rodent for different cropping systems /crops

3. Impact assessment and refinement of vertebrates (monkeys, birds and rodents) management technologies at farmers field under social engineering activities.

Under the aegis of this project, seven rodents species viz. Bandicota bengalensis, B.indica, Mus musculus, M.booduga, Rattus rattus, R.sikkimensis and Dremomys lokriah macmillani from crop ecosystem, Assam and nine species viz. B.bengalensis, Rattus nitidus, R.sikkimensis, Niviventer niviventer, N.fulvescens, Rattus rattus, Mus musculus, B.indica and Dremomys lokriah macmillani from bamboo flowering areas of North-eastern region have been identified. The project team also took the initiative and contributed substantially in establishing the association of gregarious bamboo flowering and massive bamboo seed fall with increasing litter size of rodents leading to famine in the North-eastern region of the country. Moreover a new species, the Orange Bellied Himalayan squirrel, Dremomys lokriah macmillani belonging to order Rodentia, has been identified and reported for the first time from Assam. This is an arboreal pest causing enormous economic damage to the plantation crops like coconut, areca nut and other fruit crops. Rodent infestation in different crops especially in rice (6-12%) and vegetables (10-30%) has been estimated.

In the field of rodent management, three numbers of proven technologies viz. an Integrated Rodent Pest Management (IRPM) approach in rice; management of field rodents in deep water rice and mechanical control method(trunk banding with aluminium sheet) against D. lokriah lokriah macmillani were recommended and widely accepted by the farmers and other stakeholders. Under eco smart management of rodents, an indigenous local bamboo trap has been designed, tested and popularized in the name of “Maat Chitap” for managing burrowing rodents in rice fields which is eco-friendly, cost effective and easy to operate. Another mechanical device has been developed to manage rodents in the traditional storage structures like “Guti Bhoral” and “Guchi Bhoral” and popularized as “Rat Guard”.

In extension front, more than 50 numbers of trainings and 30 numbers of method demonstrations have been carried at various agroecological zones of Assam. Inputs related to rodent pest management have been distributed through “Tribal Sub Plan” programme of the project for the benefit of the farming community. The project also splendidly contributed in human resource development by producing 6 Ph. D. and 10 M.Sc. students as well as published more than 80 research papers in peer reviewed journals.