Habitat study of Chukar partridge (Alectorus chukar) in district Malakand - A case study of town Thana
Habitat study of Chukar partridge (Alectorus chukar) in district Malakand - A case study of town Thana
Bilal Ahmad1, Maqsood Anwar2 and Muhammad Sadiq Khan3
ABSTRACT
The present study described the status of Chukar partridge (Alectorus chukar) habitat, ecology and causes of decreasing its population in town Thana of district Malakand. Primary data was collected through visits to the study areas in the morning and late afternoon along with the three helpers to study its habitat and their different activities in the study areas and through questionnaire survey. Secondary data was collected from literature. Dabber Tangy (Chrhat), Obukhwarh, Topdara areas sampling points were selected for data collection. Many flocks were observed during the study in which the average numbers in each flock was 10-12. Majority of the respondents 22 (55%) replied that Chukar is present in abundance at Topdara, 28 (70%) replied that its population is decreasing due to habitat destruction and 20 (60%) replied that Jackal is its main ecological predator. Majority of the respondents i.e. 34 (85%) replied that to control illegal hunting and trapping of Chukar and 24 (60%) replied that Suitable Habitat for Chukar is rocky and shrubby vegetation. Majority of the respondents i.e. 23 (57.5%) replied that there is illegal hunting of Chukar, 40 (100%) replied that hunting can be legalized through legal license and permits, and 27 (67.5%) replied that Causes of habitat destruction of Chukar is due to human population increase. Chukar mostly feed on wild seed and grain. There is an urgent need to conserve Chukar by improving their habitat in the study area, avoiding illegal hunting and facilitate the wildlife department for monitoring of the area, giving incentives to the community of the area and regulating hunting in the study area.
Key words: Chukar partridge habitat; population trend, threats, breading and feed.
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March 2015
Vol. 65, Iss. 1
