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