Distribution, habitat utilization and threates of Himalayan Goral (Naemorhedus goral) in Nawalpur district, Nepal
| dc.contributor.author | Paudyal, Anish | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-09-17T06:26:54Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-09-17T06:26:54Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Himalayan gorals (Naemorhedus goral) are small sized shy natured cliff dwelling herbivorous mammals. They are widely distributed but less studied ungulates from Nepal. This study was conducted for determining the distribution, habitat utilization and conservation threats of Himalayan gorals from a part of the Mahabharata Goral Conservation Area in Nawalpur District, Nepal during December 2022 and March 2023. Observation of animals, fecal pellets, hoof marks in different habitat types along with topographic variables were recorded to find out the distribution and habitat utilization of Himalayan gorals. The study area was divided into three blocks each of 3km xiii 2 (6km×0.5km) and a total of 34 line transects each of 0.5 km were surveyed. Additionally, questionnaire survey (n=21) and interviews with local people (n= 42) were done to assess the level of conservation threats. A total of 89 pellet deposits, two individuals of Himalayan gorals, and three hoof marks were recorded in the study area. The pellets of Himalayan gorals were distributed from the elevation of 925m to 1580m asl. Analysis of variance to mean ratio for transects revealed a clumped distribution pattern of pellets of Himalayan gorals. Four habitat types were used by the goral, where the highest number of fecal pellets deposits was recorded in rocky cliff area followed by Shorea robusta forest. Himalayan gorals preferred south facing steep slopes of 51°–75°. The major conservation threat of goral was found poaching. Regular monitoring of the Himalayan goral population and awareness programs should be conducted at local level for the conservation of Himalayan gorals in the Mahabharata Goral Conservation Area. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14540/19823 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Department of Zoology | en_US |
| dc.subject | Habitat utilization | en_US |
| dc.subject | Topographic variables | en_US |
| dc.title | Distribution, habitat utilization and threates of Himalayan Goral (Naemorhedus goral) in Nawalpur district, Nepal | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
| local.academic.level | Masters | en_US |
| local.institute.title | Central Department of Zoology | en_US |