Browsing by Subject "Snow leopard"
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Item Assessment of Conservation Threats of Snow Leopard in The Manaslu Conservation Area, Nepal(central Department of Rural Development Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, 2017) Bhattarai, Nowal KishoreSnow leopard (Panthera uncia) is the topmost predator of the remote Himalayan regions of the Central Asia. The species is categorized as threatened by IUCN due to its declining population. This study aims to assess the human-snow leopard conflict and determine the threats to snow leopard population in Manslu Conservation Area (MCA) and suggest suitable conservation strategies. The study was carried out in Samdo village, Samagaun VDC, Manaslu Conservation Area. Census survey was carried out using well designed sets of questionnaire in each household along with key informant interview (KII) method to collect the primary data required to meet the set objectives. Predation from snow leopards and accidents (39.39% each) were the major cause for mortality of the domestic livestock. The average loss of livestock from snow leopard predation was calculated to be 0.36 individuals per household and yak was only the livestock which was attacked and killed by the snow leopards. There were no compensation schemes for the livestock lost from predation by snow leopards at the time of study. Almost one-third of the local people showed negative attitude towards snow leopard due to predation on their livestock. Majority of local people were unaware of the legal wildlife protection of wildlife. The villagers do not involve in any hunting activities as they are all Buddhists and their religious and cultural beliefs does not allow them to participate in killing activities. The presence of stray dogs, declination in population of blue sheep which is the principal prey species of snow leopards in the study area and lack of conservation knowledge of the local people of Samdo village were identified as the major threats to snow leopard population. Based on the findings, the study recommends for establishment of Snow Leopard Conservation Committee to initiate compensation schemes for the local herders as soon as possible to minimize the human-snow leopard conflict. Furthermore, effective conservation strategies can be established based on the threats assessed to the snow leopard population in the study area.Item Field Verification of Kimathanka Corridor for Snow Leopard (Panthara Uncia,Schreber,1775) Identified in Makalu Barun National Park , Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2019) Pun, DeepaThe landscape analysis and mapping of Snow Leopard has identified 14 habitat corridors and 11 critical sites in Eastern Himalaya landscape. Among 14 identified habitat corridors Kimathanka is one of them which lie in core area and buffer zones of Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP). Through spatial analysis and habitat mapping the MBNP is believed to have total 852 km 2 favourable habitats for Snow Leopard. The study was carried out for the field verification of the identified Kimathanka corridor in Eastern Himalaya Landscape (EHL). Indirect sign survey method for assessing habitat occupancy, line transects method for prey survey and HHs questionnaire survey & FGD for Socioeconomic survey were applied during survey period. Total 13 survey grids of each 16 km 2 were overlaid on most potential habitat of Snow Leopard in Kimathanka corridor out of which only 10 survey grids were accessible. Ten lines transects of total 21.6km length was followed during the survey period. Total 46 carnivore signs were collected in survey period out of which seven signs (Scat) were identified as signs of Snow Leopard with encounter rate 0.324 per km. Twenty two scats and 11 pugmarks of carnivores remained unidentified as most of the signs were destroyed by the rainfall as the survey was conducted in monsoon season (23 rd June - 2 nd August 2018). Fourteen types of prey species were encountered. The domestic animals were most abundant in the study area. The signs of Wild Boar were encountered the most with encounter rate 0.509 per km. The economic loss per household in Hatiya (NRs. 21,937 per year) was high, followed by Chumsur with NRs. 6,253 per year and Kimathanka with NRs. 2,725 per year. Economic loss per household per year for livestock was high in Chumsur (NRS. 38,333) than Kimathanka (NRs. 16,500) and Hatiya (NRs. 7,600).