Browsing by Subject "Conservation threats"
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Item Distribution and Conservation Status of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2008) Kandel, Ram NathA survey of Red Panda was carried out in three blocks namely Barse, Fagune andSurtibang of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) to establish baseline information ofthis species from March-May, 2007. The distribution of Red Panda was assessedthrough informal discussions with local people, herders and reserve staff followed bythe dropping survey. Vegetation analysis was done by using square quadrats of 10×10m 2 for trees and 4×4 m 2 for shrubs to determine Important Value Index. The study revealed the clumped type distribution pattern of Red Panda which wasaffected by different factors like presence of Arundinaria spp., north facing slope,water source availability, habitat condition, human activities, and livestock grazing.Altogether four Red Pandas were noticed and were identical in morphologicalcharacters. A correlation analysis of combined data on the distribution of Panda faecalpellets with elevation up to certain limit showed positive correlation. In the range of3,200 to 3,500 m, the droppings of the Red Panda were more common than above orbelow the range whereAbies, Rhododendron, BetulaandArundinariawere dominant.Red Panda most prefer northwest facing slope in the range 30 0 –40 0 during the studyperiod. A chi-square test performed showed that slope aspect differs with thedistribution pattern of Red Panda. Because of the violence and insurgency, themanagement offices and check posts were transferred to the urban area. Illegal felling,looping, hunting, poaching and over exploitation were common during the studyperiod. About 160 traps were collected and hand over to the Reserve officials.Occasional death of Red Panda was also recorded in Dharkharka of Barse block.Summer huts for livestock was one of the main threats for the conservation of RedPanda in DHR. Key Words:-Red Panda, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Distribution, Conservationthreats,Livestock grazing, Poaching.Item Population Status, Habitat Preferences and Conservation Threats of Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelana leucomelana) in Narmadeswor VDC, Okhaldhunga, East Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2014) Dhungel, SrijanaThis study aimed to estimate population status, habitat preferences and conservation threats of Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelana leucomelana) in Narmadeswor VDC, Okhaldhunga district. Roost survey method was used to collect data on population status of bird, habitat preferences index (HPI) method was used to assess the habitat preferences and conservation threats was evaluated by questionnaire survey. A total of an average of 14 individuals of Kalij pheasant were recorded from the study area in altogether four visits in April – June, August – September, October - December and January – March, 2011-2012 The result showed highest monthly density (5.55 individuals per sq. km.) in August - September and lowest (1.11 individuals per sq. km.) in March. Among four types of habitats, the closed forest with high understorey was most preferred by the Kalij (HPI = 1.30) followed by closed forest with low understorey (0.92), open forest (0.75) and terraced field (0.74). In Narmadeswor, 22 species of trees, 8 species of shrubs and 29 species of herbs, 8 species of climbers and 16 species of grass were recorded. Altogether 30 roosts were found, among the roosting trees Pinus roxburghii (50%) was mainly used by Kalij pheasant in the study area followed by Shorea robusta (33.33%), Mangifera indica (10%), Phyllanthus emblica (6.67%). Mean height, mean girth at breast height and mean height of lowest branch of roost tree was 9.69m, 0.92m and 5.27m respectively. Most of the respondents showed negative attitude towards Kalij in Narmadeswor areas. Evaluation of Conservation threats from the information given by respondents suggests feeding of Kalij pheasant on crops were the most important threat whereas other threats were fire wood collection, disturbance by people in the roost, timber collection, poaching, egg collection and grazing.