Intro:
The Himalayan Jungle Project is working in Palas Valley in Pattan Tehsil, District Kohistan, Hazara Division, NWFP, Pakistan (see location map). Palas contains the most outstanding tract of pristine west Himalayan forest in Pakistan. These forests have been identified as a global priority for the conservation of biodiversity (ICBP, 1992). These outstanding forests, which are owned by the local communities, are threatened by logging, which provides an important source of local cash income. The Himalayan Jungle Project aims to conserve these forests and their wildlife by developing with the local communities alternative, sustainable sources of income.
The Himalayan Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster is listed as a threatened species in IUCN Red Data Book and is regarded as a priority or key species for conservation in Palas.