Final Report on - Oriental Bird Cluborientalbirdclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P851...Pakistan.pdf · Final Report on Status and Conservation of Western Tragopan ... Pakistan

Status and Conservation of Western Tragopan project

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Final Report

on

Status and Conservation of Western Tragopan Pheasant in and around Salkhala Game Reserve,

Neelum, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Muhammad Naeem Awan*

Project sponsor: Oriental Bird Club, UK

Conservation Grant (No. P851)


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Suggested Citation:

M.N.Awan. 2010. Status and Conservation of Western Tragopan Pheasant in

and around Salkhala Game Reserve, Distrcit Neelum, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

Final Progress Report Submitted to Oriental Bird Club. UK.

Cover Photos: Winter view of Salkhala Game Reserve .

Contact Information: Muhammad Naeem Awan

Challa Bandi, Muzaffrarabad Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Pakistan. 13100 [email protected]

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Salkhala Game Reserve is an important Bird Area, internationally recognized

as a site for Western Tragopan Pheasant. Salkhala Support a variety of

important Birds especially Galliformes (Western Tragopan, Himalayan Monal,

Kashmir Koklas, White crested Kalij, Himalayan Snow cock snow partridge and

Chukar Partridge) and Large Mammals (Black Bear, Musk Deer Common

Leopard and Grey Gorals) and important Plants of commercial and medicinal

values. Cross border firing between Pakistan and Indian Army for a period of

about 12 years has stopped any kind of Research or conservation activities in

the area. Population of Western Tragopan was estimated in 1982 for the last

time by K.Islam in Salkhala. In 2008, community Conservation awareness

program was launched for the community of Salkhala and during the

implementation it is strongly felt that Community is ignorant about the

importance of Galliformes especially Western Tragopan. Keeping in view the

current project was designed and implemented. During this project Population

of Western Tragopan has been estimated in and around Salkhala after a long

period of almost 3 decades and baseline has been established for future

surveys. Beside population estimation Wildlife staff has been trained in

Galliformes Surveys. Community living around Salkhala has also been

educated regarding importance of Galliformes especially Western Tragopan and

its conservation.


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am really thankful to Mr. James Goodhart and Oriental Birds Club for

granting me the donation of GBP1500 for this project which has enables me to

conduct survey of this important species in this far-flung area of the world after

a long period of almost three decades. I am really thankful to Mr. Francis

Burner for his continues guidance throughout the project period. Thanks are

also due to Mr. Javid Ayub, Director Wildlife, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, for his

encouragement and legal support. Last but not the least I am also thankful to

all wildlife field staff appointed in and around Salkhala Game Reserve for their

help during the Field surveys.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary

Acknowledgement

1. Introduction 6

1.1. Background 6

1.2. Aims and Objectives 6

1.3. Study area 6

1.4. Species 7

2. Methodology 7

2.1Literature Review 7

2.2. Planning 7

2.3. Techniques used 8

3. Results

3.1. Conservation Awareness 8

3.2. Status Survey 12

4. Out comes 13

5. Conservation Recommendations 15

6. References 20


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1. Introduction 1.1. Background This was a step forward to the last project funded by OBC under grant No.

P812, which was a conservation awareness project only. During the

implementation of the last project, it is learnt that population of Western

Tragopan pheasant and its habitat is under high pressure due to

anthropogenic activities. In AJK Salkhala is one of the major sites having

Tragopan Pheasant and its population was not estimated systematically for the

almost last three decades. So combining the both approaches this project was

designed with the following aims and objectives.

1.2. Aims and Objectives

• To conduct surveys on the current status of Western Tragopan Pheasant

in and around Salkhala Game Reserve.

• To create awareness among the community about the importance of

Salkhala Game Reserve, Tragopan Pheasant, its habitat and factors involve in

the decline of Pheasant’s population (especially of Tragopan pheasants).

• To educate the community regarding the sustainable use of natural

resources of Salkhala Game Reserve.

1.3. Study area Salkhala Game Reserve, Study area, lies

between the geographical coordinated

of 340 33/ N and 730 50/ E , having an

area of 2,000 acre and is 80 kilometer in

North West of Muzaffarabad city, in

Bandi Range of Keran forest division in

Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir. Salkhala

was notified as Game Reserve in 1982,

with an elevation ranges from 5000 feet to

10332 feet above main sea level. Major

Wildlife consists of western Tragopan


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pheasant, Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Kashmir Koklass Pheasant, White

crested Kalij Pheasant, Himalayan snow cock, Musk Deer, Black Bear, and

common leopard. The prevailing plant species of the Game Reserve include

Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow, picea smithiana, Taxus

wallichiana, Acer caecium, Butula utilis, Berberis Spp., Quercus spp., Juniperus

communis, Vibernum Spp., Indegofera gerardiana, Juglans regia, Aesculus

indica, etc.Heavy rain and snowfall is the characteristic of the area.

1.4. Species ( Western Tragopan Pheasant).

Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) is classified as Vulnerable

(Birdlife international 2003). Gaston et al. (1983) stated that two main blocks

of habitat are currently occupied: (1) the Neelum valley Pakistan (2) Kishtwar

National Park in the Chenab valley of Kashmir, India. Mirza et al. (1978) called

the species "still common" in some "pockets" of Pakistani-occupied Kashmir.

In Pakistan associated with mixed coniferous forest. takes particular use of

forest with dense undergrowth (Gaston et al. 1983a,b, Islam and Crawford

1987), from as low as 1350 m in winter, to 3600 m in summer.

2. Methodology 2.1Literature Review A review was made of all the research which has been conducted so far on

Western Tragopan in Azad Kashmir including Salkhala Game Reserve before

starting the surveys. Abstract has been published in G@llinformed # 3 as “A

review of the status, distribution and conservation of the Western

Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir”. Final

version of paper is under review and will be submitted for publication soon.

2.2. Planning Based on the pre-existing data and information collected after conducting

meetings with the wildlife staff, local community and hunters survey protocol

was designed. As no research has been conducted around Salkhala so far, it is

considered as a baseline for future research. For conservation Awareness


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program six villages were selected from around the Reserve area keeping in

view their dependence on the natural resources of the area. Similarly

workshops were arranged for schools children in conservation education from

the same villages. 2.3. Techniques used

Gaston’s (1980) call count technique was used to estimate the population on

the 6 selected calling sites in and around Salkhala game reserve (Map

Attached). Before starting surveys, training of wildlife staff appointed in and

around Salkhala was carried out to build their capacity in Galliformes surveys.

Conservation education material was prepared to be distributed among

community for awareness.

3. Results 3.1. Conservation Awareness

i- Preparation of Awareness Material

Awareness material was prepared before starting activities. One poster having

Western Tragopan Picture with habitat was designed and printed and one

pamphlet having full information on Tragopan, its distribution, Feeding,

Breeding, habitat and threats was prepared. During each activity awareness

material was distributed among the community and school children as a part

of awareness.


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ii- Community Organization.

a- Community meetings

Meetings were conducted with the community living around the Salkhala Game

Reserve to organize them into village level committees. 4 village level

committees were established while looking at their level of dependence on the

natural resources of the area.

Community of Salkhala during community Organization

b- Formation of conservation committee

Combining these village level committees an apex body called Salkhala

Conservation Committee (SCC) has been organized and representatives of SCC

have been selected by the members of Village Committees. This committee is

responsible for the conservation of natural resources of the Area.

iii- Education and Awareness

a- Awareness Workshop for community on the Tragopan , its Habitat and Threats in Salkhala

A one day awareness workshop was organized in Salkhala village to educate

community about Tragopan, its habitat and threats. This workshop has very

positive effect on community and they agreed to take positive position against


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the hunting of the Tragopan. After this workshop they organize their village

level committees and an apex body called SCC as mentioned above.

b- Workshop of School Children on Tragopan and its global importance

A one day workshop was organized for school children at Neelum Public

School, Salkhala. Students from 3 schools were invited for this workshop and

in severe weather condition students participated in the workshop. Awareness

material was distributed among the school children for awareness.

c- Awareness campaign for Hunters

Hunters of the area were invited for this

workshop. They were convinced to stop hunting of

threatened species including western Tragopan.

They were also invited to be a part of village level

committees.

d- Quiz competition for school children

A quiz competition was organized as a follow up of

the last awareness workshop of the school

children. It is observed that the students are more

conscious about the Tragopan than the past.


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iv- Training of wildlife staff

a- Workshop for Wildlife Staff on the Importance of SGR & Tragopan

A one day workshop was organized for the field staff of wildlife appointed in

and around Slakhala. Range officer Wildlife Malik Mumtaz also attended the

workshop along with the field staff.

b- Workshop for Wildlife Staff on monitoring of Tragopan population in and around the Salkhala.

Before starting the surveys wildlife staff was trained in conducted surveys of

Galliformes especially the Western Tragopan Pheasant. They were trained how


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they will monitor the population of Western tragopan in and around Salkhala

using the same survey plots identified during the current survey.

3.2. Status Survey

A total of 6 plots were selected for this study colleting presence/absence data

on Western Tragopan in & around Salkhala Game Reserve. Population has

been counted using the Dawn call count from all the 6 plots. Data on

Himalayan Monal & Kashmir Koklass has also been collected along with

Western Tragopan. The six plots were named as WT1, WT2, WT3, WT4, WT5

and WT6.

Table. Recorded Number of Western Tragopan and other Galliformes in &

around Salkhala.

Site Code Date Time Western

Tragopan Himalayan Monal

Kashmir Koklass

WT1 21-06-10 4:25 1 3 6 WT2 22-06-10 04:10.27.50 3 4 3 WT3 23-06-10 04:13-05:03 2 2 5 WT4 24-06-10 04:38 1 5 7 WT5 25-06-10 04:17.47-05:02. 33 4 1 4 WT6 26-06-10 04:29. 53 2 3 5

Total 13 18 30


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4. Out comes 1. Establishment of preliminary baseline survey regime of Western Tragopan

Pheasant in and around Salkhala Game Reserve which can be used as

reference for future surveys.

2. Population estimation of Western Tragopan in and around Salkhala after

almost three decades.

3. Organization and involvement of locals in the conservation of Natural

Resources of Salkhala especially Western Tragopan.

4. Capacity building of wildlife staff in planning and conducting surveys of

Galliformes especially Western Tragopan.

5. Created Awareness among locals especially school children about the

importance of Salkhala, Western Tragopan and its Habitat.

6. Awareness Campaign has been stated for women of Salkhala for first time.

They were educated regarding the importance of Salkhala and western

Tragopan.


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7. Scientifically sound documentation of Western Tragopan population

distribution and trends in and around Salkhala Game Reserve

Figure . Map showing calling sites (WT1-WT6) of Western Tragopan in and around Salkhala Game Reserve. Azad Kashmir.


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5-Conservation Recommendations. Current surveys has revealed that a handsome population of Western

Tragopan and other Galliformes is still surviving in and around Salkhla

Game Reserve under a colossal pressure of different anthropogenic activities.

No doubt current study area is one of the major site for Galliformes including

Threatened Western Tragopan but the human population growth rate

demanding more and more natural resource utilization resulting into the

increasing pressure on the Galliformes habitat. To address these issues it is

the right time that to start some community based Galliformes

Conservation project to uplift there socio-economic condition through

enterprise development specially for women as a key target group. This

enterprise development could be used as alternate livelihood to minimize the

pressure on the Natural Resources of the area. Similarly strong Galliformes

conservation awareness program could be launched to educate the

community regarding the importance of the Galliformes would be defiantly

helpful in this regard.

While looking at the table it is very clear that a major population of western

Tragopan and Other Galliformes is recorded outside the reserve area i.e.

survey plots WT1, WT2, WT5 & WT 6, and commercial harvesting is carried

out in these area destroying the Pheasant’s habitat. It is recommended to

extend the boundaries of the salkhala Game reserve on left side to the rawta

Nallah touching the LOC and on right side to the Gail area would be better

conserved under protected area system resulting into bring to an end of the

commercial harvesting of the forest resources, lethal to Galliformes Habitat.

A regular monitoring of the Galliformes especially Western Tragopan

population is very important in and around Salkhala for the assessment of

the current conservation awareness activities carried out during the project

period. Similarly long term monitoring projects are required to be carried out

in different part of Azad Kashmir to monitor the population trend of

Galliformes especially the Threatened Western Tragopan.


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Fig. Survey plots WT1 –WT6 used for Western Tragopan Survey Salkhala.


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1- Others (Additional Progress)

A brief meeting was arranged with relevant wildlife officials to seek

their views on the project.

Meeting was conducted with the head of Zoology Department,

University of AJK to involve the MSc students in the monitoring of this

threatened species within AJK.

Collection of Feather samples and fecal pellets of Western Tragopan

and other Galliformes from AJK for Different studies .

Discovery of traditional trap used for capturing pheasant from

Salkhala and an article on the above said has been published in

G@llinformed 2.

Collection of data on human Carnivores conflict in and around

Salkhala Game reserve.

Wrap up meeting with the Director, Azad Kashmir Wildlife and

Fisheries Department and presentation on activities of the project,

outcomes and conservation Recommendation on Galliformes of

Salkhala Game Reserve.

Fig. Livestock in Salkhala Game Reserve


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Fig. A Goat killed by Black Bear inside Salkhala

Fig. Traditional Technique for damaging green trees in Neelum valley.


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Fig. A piece of Burnt Forest around

Fig. Traditional Traps used for capturing Pheasant in AJK


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6.References Ali, S. and S. Dillon Ripley 1987. Compact handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan.

Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

Anonymous (2003, 2005), Pheasant survey in Salkhala game reserve, department of wildlife,

AJ&K. an unpublished report.

Awan et al (2008). Current Distribution, Population Density and Conservation Status of Western Tragopan Pheasant (Tragopan melanocephalus) in Machiara National park,

Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir. (Paper under review).

Awan. M.N. (2008 b), Community Conservation Awareness Program, Salkhala Game

reserve, Neelum, Azad Kashmir. Final progress report .OBC.UK.

Awan M.N., Mir M.S., Awan M.S.& Khawaja B. 2006. Distribution, status and habitat utilization of Alectoris chukar in Machiara National Park Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir. J. Agri.

Soc. Sci. 1813-2235/2006/02-4-230-233.

AWAN, M. N, 2009. Traditional Trap Used For Capturing Pheasants in Pakistan.

G@llinformed 2, pp.40-41 Newsletter of the Galliformes Specialist Group.

AWAN, M. N, 2009. Status and Conservation of Western Tragopan Pheasant in and around Salkhala Game reserve, Neelum, Azad Kashmir. Preliminary report to OBC.

Birdlife International (2003) Saving Asia’s Threatened birds: a guide for government and civil

society. Cambridge, U.K.

Buner, F. and Lewis, R. 2006. Monitoring workshop and assessment of survey

and catching techniques for Western Himalayan Galliformes in Kohistan,

North West Frontier, Pakistan, May 2006.

Chaudry, Abdul Aleem 1992. Distribution and Status of Pheasants in Pakistan. In: Jenkins,

D. (Ed.) 1993. Pheasants in Asia 1992. World Pheasant Association, Reading, U.K.

Collar, N.J. and P. Andrew 1988. Birds to Watch. The ICBP World Checklist of Threatened Birds. ICBP Technical Publication No. 8, ICBP, Cambridge.

DAR, N. A., 2006. Wildlife of Azad Kashmir (in Urdu). Al-Sheikh Press, Muzaffarabad AJK, pp.

69.


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Duke, G. and Whittington, P. 2006. A Review of the Status, Distribution and Habitat of the Western Tragopan in Pakistan. unpubl. draft.

Gaston, A.J., Islam,K. and J.A. Crawford 1983. The Current Status of the Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus). WPA Journal 8: 40-49.

Grimmett, R.F. and C. Robson 1986. A Preliminary Survey of the Western Tragopan in Indus Kohistan and the Kaghan Valley in Pakistan. Draft. ICBP study report.

Hassan, S. A. 2004. Compilation of Baseline Data for Ornithological Studies in Machiara National Park, final Report. pp. 104.

Islam, K. 1982. Status and Distribution of the Western Tragopan in Northeastern Pakistan.

In WPA. 1982. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Pheasants in Asia 2: 44-51.

Islam, K. 1991. In Search of the Western Tragopan. WPA News No. 31: 11-15.

Islam, K. and J.A. Crawford 1987. Habitat Use by Western Tragopans Tragopan melanocephalus(Gray) in Northeastern Pakistan. 23 Biological Conservation 40: 101-115.

Johnsgard, P.A. 1986. The Pheasants of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

MNP 2005. Revised management plan, Machiara National Park. Protected Areas

Management Project (PAMP), AJK. Wildlife Department. Pp-138 (Draft).

Mirza, Z.B., Abdul Aleem and M. Asghar 1978. Pheasant Surveys in Pakistan. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 75: 292-296.

Ramesh, K. 2003. An ecological study on pheasants of the Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India.

Roberts, T.J. 1984. Report on a Visit to Machiara Game Sanctuary. Unpublished.

Roberts, T.J. 1991. The Birds of Pakistan. Vol. 1 Non-Passeriformes. Oxford University Press,

Karachi.

Roberts, T.J. 1992. The Birds of Pakistan. Vol. 2 Passeriformes. Oxford University Press,

Karachi

Tirmazi (2001), Forestry statistics of Azad Kashmir, Forest department Azad Jammu &

Kashmir, pp- 70.


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Whale, R. 1996. Survey Report of Western Tragopan in the Palas Valley – January 1996.

Himalayan Jungle Project, Abbottabad, Pakistan.

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Final Report on - Oriental Bird Cluborientalbirdclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P851...Pakistan.pdf · Final Report on Status and Conservation of Western Tragopan ... Pakistan