Population Status, Habitat use and Conservation Threats of Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelana leucomelana) in Hemja Area, Kaski

Abstract

This study aimed to determine population status, habitat use and conservation threats of Kalij pheasant (Lopura leucomelana leucomelana) in Hemja area, Kaski. Roost Survey method was used to collect data on population status of animal, habitat preferences index (HPI) was used to assess the habitat preferences and habitat use and conservation threats was evaluated by questionnaire survey. A total of 103 individuals of Kalij pheasant were recorded from the study area in altogether 8 visits. The result showed highest monthly density (8.95 per sq Km) in October and least (1.94 per sq Km) in March. Among four types of habitats, the Closed forest with high understorey was most preferred by the Kalij (HPI=1.23) followed by Closed forest with low understorey (0.95), Open forest (0.83) and Terraced field (0.78). In Hemja, 27 species of trees, 8 species of shrubs and 29 species of herbs were recorded. Altogether 34 roosts were found Among the roosting tree Castanopsis indica (79.41%) was mainly used by Kalij pheasant in the study area followed by Schima wallichi (14.70%), Angelhadia Spicata (2.94%) and Myria esculenta (2.94%).Mean height ,mean girth at breast height and mean height of lowest branch of roost tree was 7.29m ,0.47m and 4.79m respectively. Most of the respondents showed negative attitude towards Kalij in Hemja area. Evaluation of Conservation threats from the information given by respondents suggests feeding of Kalij pheasant on crop was the most important threats whereas other threats were fire wood collection, disturbance by people in the roost, timber collection, poaching egg collection and grazing.