Dr. Biju P. HabeebSREEJITH M.2024-04-012024-04-012023-03-22https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810207927A study was carried out to document the threats of otters in Wayanad district by understanding the problems of its food source (crabs and fishes) and ecosystem. The study mainly focused on the responses of the public having a close relation to both these animals. A pre-planned questionnaire was prepared and interviewed 100 people from two different places namely Appapara and Ozhukkanmoola were interviewed. Majority of respondents agreed that the stream was polluted with different chemicals and pesticides and the population size of otters, fishes and crabs were found to be decreased. Along with questionnaire survey a field study was also conducted to understand the variation in number of crab burrows in different localities having different levels of pesticide exposure. Four different plots were selected on the basis of pesticide exposure. which included zero direct exposed areas, fully exposed, moderately exposed and slightly exposed areas. Regular visits and noting down of the number of burrows in the 4 plots were made separately in every week over a period of one month. A notable variation was seen in between the plots. Total number of burrows and the newly formed burrows in the highly exposed plots were relatively lesser than the plots having zero or less exposure. This indicated that continuous use of pesticides may alter the ecosystem of crabs and hence the otters.EnglishThesis