western tragopan census

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3) Once the stations were finalized ,different teams were constituted

to collect the data ( List of stations and teams constituted for the

purpose is on Annexure 2)

4) All teams were given GPS and data Sheets to record the altitude,

GPS coordinates and the calls of the pheasant.( Data sheets are at

Annexure 1)

5) Each call count station had a listening radius of 300 m in all four

directions.At each station minimum two observers were placed. In

morning reading each observer placed themselves at the desired

station well 15 minutes before the first light to minimize

disturbance to the pheasants. The observers began sampling at the

first audible call and ended one hour after Sunrise. This method

was followed by Both Dr K.Ramesh and Jennifer R.D Miller.Each

call was recorded with respect to species, Time, Distance and

cardinal direction.

6) After sampling The Data sheets were collected and all multiple

accounts of the same birds at a station were eliminated


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7) In this method an assumption was taken that each call is equated toa breeding pair

8) Calls of all other pheasants say Monal, Koklash and Cheer

Pheasant were also recorded from the same station.

9) The list of call station is as follows

Sno Station Altitude(in m) Range GPS co ordinates Beat1 Kelam Nala 2730 Sainj N31

048021 E77 028559 Shakti2 Homkhani 2842 Sainj N31 046742 E77 029116 Homkhani3 Thanain 2528 Sainj N31 047404 E77 030,059 Shakti4 Shugad nala 2489 Sainj N31 047464 E77 027509 Shakti5 Kodu Thach 2565 Sainj N31

045834 E77 025746 Homkhani6 Sara thach 2905 Sainj N31 045399 E77 024577 Lapah7 Kailikanda 2873 Sainj N31 048366 E77 024095 Shakti8 Upgain1 2895 Jivanal N31

051025 E77 023047 Pashi9 Upgain2 2860 Jivanal N31 051027 E77 023043 Pashi

10 Enn Thach 2916 Jivanal N31 048278 E77 024313 Bah11 Shilt 3059 Thirthan N31 041143 E77 028957 Rohla12 chordwar 2924 Thirthan N31

041404 E77 029264 Rohla13 kholipoi 2981 Thirthan N31 040010 E77 030185 Bhandar14 Kholipoi/Basu 3004 Thirthan N31 039522 E77 030408 Bhandar15 Nadda 3225 Thirthan N31 041537 E77 031256 Rohla


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List of Stations and corresponding dominant vegetation Present

SnoStation Altitude(in m)

Vegetation

1 Kelam Nala 2730

Pinus Wallichina ( Kail), Abies pindrow (Fir) , Juglansregia ( Akhrot ), celtis Spp etc.

2 Homkhani 2842

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu ), Abies pindrow (Fir ) ,Pinus Wallichina (Kail ) , , Juglans regia ( Akhrot) ,Picea smithiana (Spruce) .

3 Thanain 2528 Aesculus indica (Horse chest nut), Acer spp, Juglansregia ( Akhrot) , Indigofera spp etc

4 Shugad nala 2489

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu), Abies pindrow (Fir) Juglans regia ( Akhrot ) , Picea smithiana (Spruce ).

5 Kodu Thach 2565

Cedrus deodara (Deodar ), Quercus semicarpifolia(Kharsu ), Abies pindrow (Fir)

Juglans regia ( Akhrot ) , Picea smithiana (Spruce) .

6 Sara thach 2905

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu), Abies pindrow (Fir)

Juglans regia ( Akhrot ) , Picea smithiana (Spruce)

7 Kailikanda 2873

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu) , Abies pindrow (Fir)

Juglans regia ( Akhrot ) , Picea smithiana (Spruce) ,Nirgal , Acer spp

8 Upgain1 2895

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu ), Abies pindrow (Fir)

Juglans regia ( Akhrot) , Picea smithiana (Spruce ),Taxus baccata (taxus,rakhaal), Rhododendron spp(Burans)

9 Upgain2 2860

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu), Abies pindrow

(Fir) Juglans regia ( Akhrot) , Picea smithiana (Spruce ),Taxus baccata (taxus,rakhaal), Rhododendron spp(Burans)

10 Enn Thach 2916

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu) , Abies pindrow (Fir) Juglans regia ( Akhrot) , Piceasmithiana (Spruce ), Taxus baccata (taxus,rakhaal),

Aesculus indica (Horse chest nut)


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11 Shilt 3059

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu), Abies pindrow (Fir) Juglans regia ( Akhrot) , Picea smithiana(Spruce ) , Taxus baccata (taxus,rakhaal),

Rhododendron spp ( Burans)

12 chordwar 2924

Quercus semicarpifolia (Kharsu ), Abies pindrow (Fir) Juglans regia ( Akhrot ) , Picea smithiana(Spruce ), Taxus baccata (taxus,rakhaal ),

Rhododendron spp (Burans),Nirgal ,Cedrusdeodara (Deodar ).

13 kholipoi 1 2981

Abies pindrow (Fir), Picea smithiana (Spruce ),.Prunus spp, Acer spp, Nirga l, Quercus semicarpifolia(Kharsu)

14 kholipoi /Basu 3004

Abies pindrow (Fir ),Picea smithiana (Spruce ),.Prunus spp, Acer spp, Nirgal, Quercus semicarpifolia(Kharsu).

15 Nadda 3225Pure Quercus semicarpifolia forest with Nirgal

.


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Chapter 6

Results6.1 Population Abundance Estimates

6.1.1 Over All Population Abundance of GHNP:

The data is analyzed and the encounter rate per call station has been

calculated. The encounter rate of Western Tragopan in GHNP is 1.87

birds/call station . Further calculation reveals that the density of Western

Tragopan per square kilometer in its suitable habitat in GHNP is 6.6 birds

per square kilometer.

6.1.2 Range Wise Population Abundance of Western Tragopan :

Encounter Rate in Thirthan range was found to be highest (2.8

birds/call station) followed by Jiwanal Range (2.66 birds per call station).

Minimum Encounter rate was found in Sainj range (0.85 birds per call

station).

S No. Pheasant Encounter rate by source (Numbers of Birds per station)Sainj Range Jivanal Range Thirthan Range

1 WesternTragopan

0.85 2.66 2.8


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Density in Thirthan range in its suitable habitat was found to be

highest (9.90 birds/sq km) followed by Jiwanal Range (9.43 birds / sq km).

Minimum density was found in Sainj range (3.03 birds /sq km).

S No. Pheasant Density by source (Numbers of Birds per sq km)Sainj Range Jivanal Range Thirthan Range

1 Western Tragopan 3.03 9.43 9.90


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6.1.3: Comparison with past studies :

Past studies were confined to Thirthan range .All the sample points

were from the same valley. Present estimation was carried out by takingsample call station from through out the park. However following sample

call stations were same in all three studies. The comparative statement

showing encounter rate of Western Tragopan ( Tragopan melanocephalus ) in

the similar area is presented in Tabular format.

S No. Area Encounter rate by source (Numbers of Birds per station)

Rameshet.al 1999

Jennifer R.BMiller(2008)

Current Result 2010(over all GHNP)

1 Basu,-Kholipoi 0.4 1.5 3.0

2 Shilt -chordwar 1.2 4.5 3


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6.2 Number of birds encountered in different altitudes:

Maximum percentage (46 per cent ) of the total Western Tragopan

(Tragopan melanocephalus ) were encountered in the altitudinal zone of

2700-2900 meter above mean sea level followed by (36 per cent) altitudinal

zone of 2900 to 3100 meter above mean sea level.

S.NO Altitude (in m) Per cent number of Pheasants

encountered

1 2500-2700 9

2 2701-2900 46

3 2901-3100 36

4 3101-3300 9


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6.3 Percentage number of calls /time intervals ( in morning) :

Data was also collected in respect of time of call in the morning hours.

From the analysis it is revealed that most of the calls (30 per cent calls) were

recorded between 5:31-5:45 hrs in the morning followed by other interval

between 5:01 to 5:15 hrs (23 per cent) .From the data it is clear that most of

the calls were recorded between 4:45 to5:45 hrs span(87 per cent).


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Chapter 7

Discussion:

From the present census the encounter rate of Western Tragopan in

GHNP is 1.87 birds/call station . In this population abundance estimation

the call stations were distributed randomly through out the National Park.

From the perusal of the result it is clear that the highest encounter rate (2.8

birds per call station) is recorded in Thirthan range.In the past two studiesviz. K. Ramesh (1999) and Jennifer R.B.Miller (2008), related to population

abundance estimation, had been carried out only in Thirthan range . Four

call stations taken in present exercise are similar to past studies. On the basis

of simple mathematical comparison of figures of past studies with the

present it is understood that Western Tragopan ( Tragopan melanocephalus )

population is doing well in Basu Kholipoi Area. The encounter rate

documented in Jennifer Miller study of this area is 1.5 birds per call station

where as present results comes to 3.0 birds per call station. This is healthy

signs for the managers of the park. Similarly on comparison of figures of

Shilt-Chordwar area it has been observed that the present encounter rate is

3.0 birds per call station which is less than the Jennifer R.B.Millers results

(4.5 birds per call station). This variation on the lower side can be attributed

to the reason that the present population abundance estimation was carried

out in late May and in early June. This time period is the fag end of the

breeding season. Besides it is advisable to go for minimum three replications

for more reliability. Due to time constraint only one replication was

performed. Further it can also be attributed to the fact that there may be

more tourist influx in shilt chordwar area than any other part of the park.


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