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IN SEARCH OF WESTERN TRAGOPAN: STATE BIRD OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Virat Jolli:

Western Tragopan  Tragopan melanocephalus is a medium sized (71 cm) pheasant found within the altitudinal range of 2400-3600 m during Summer and >1350 m in Winter of Western Himalayas (Kazmierczak 2009). It inhabits understory vegetation of mixed coniferous forest and steep slopes of alpine shrub land. This pheasant make loud calls in early morning during spring season. It’s a secretive bird and therefore difficult to sight but can be identified its distinct call. It displayed sexual dimorphism which means male and female look different. As in case of others birds tragopan males are much brighter and colourful to attract female and display its fitness.
Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) Source: Wikipedia

It’s an endemic and rare bird of Western Himalayas. It’s a Schedule-I species of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act and currently classified as Vulnerable under IUCN Redlist category. Its population is reported from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand.  Its estimated population in the wild ranges from 2500-3500 individuals (Birdlife International 2016). During searches made in the year in 2010-2012 in Jiwa valley of GHNPCA their calls were only recorded but no sighting were made (Jolli and Pandit 2011). 
Jiwa Valley

Manjhan Adit (Part of Parvati HEP Stage-II in Ecozone)

Deforestation, collection of medicinal plants and edible musroom, hunting, poaching, forest fire and dam building activities in their habitats are the potential threat for survival of tragopan. Their population is scattered and isolated. Some of its population is confined in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba and Kullu protected areas. However in both these areas Hydro power project is under operation which  likely to affect its population. In a study Jolli and Pandit (2011) reported their population responded negatively to HEP development in Jiwa Valley (Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area). Considering its sensitive bird species such projects have  further deteriorated its habitats. To mitigate such effects Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in collaboration with World Pheasant Association carried out breeding program in Sarahan Pheasantry where captive breeding program is bring run. Though it has raised hope for survival of tragopan however we donot know if such bird will able to occupy their native niche and defend themselves from predators successfully in the wild. Moreover there are chances of dilution of genetic diversity if individuals of related individuals are bred. Therefore efforts need to be made for improving the forest cover and quality of forest and bring back in-situ conservation in main stream for saving tragopan.


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