Status and conservation of pheasants in Kaghan valley
Status and conservation of pheasants in Kaghan valley
Mian Muhammad Shafiq and Muhammad Saqib
ABSTRACT
Pheasants are considered the most beautiful birds in the world. Out of 49 species of pheasant found in the world five species i.e. Monal, (Lophoporus impejanus) koklass (Pucrasia macrolopha), Kalij (Lophura leucomelana), western horned Tragopan (Gragopan melanocephalus) and Cheer (Catreus wallichi) are found in Pakistan while four (4) species i.e. Monal, Koklass, Kalij and Western horned Tragopan are found in the study areas of Kaghan valley.
This study was conducted in the Kaghan valley to know the status and conservation of pheasants. A questionnaire was designed and the villages were selected which were located near the reserve forest. A sample of 60 persons were interviewed in detail.
The study revealed that the climate and topography of target area provides good habitat to pheasants, but impediments such as illegal hunting, poaching and human interference are the main causes for the decline in population. However declaration of some areas of the Kaghan valley as protected area (National park and wildlife sanctuary) has considerably contributed in the increase of pheasant population. The major earthquake in 2005 in the area had considerably decreased the population of pheasants as well as it has damaged the habitat of pheasants.
It is recommended that there should be control on deforestation, habitat improvement and awareness raising campaign should also be carried out.
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