The Cheer Pheasant, a globally threatened species inhabiting the Himalayan region, has been a focus of continuous monitoring by the Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU). Since 2022, the NOU has been tracking its population in and around the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) using dawn-call counts. Expanding on these efforts to encompass the Dhaulagiri range, a recent study was conducted in the lower Kaligandaki Valley of Mustang District between April 30 and May 9, 2025. This research aimed to assess the population status and trends of the globally as well as nationally threatened Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) and to document the overall avian diversity of the area. The methodology employed included the established dawn call count method at seven historically surveyed listening stations, supplemented by general bird surveys.
Key findings from the study provide important insights into both the Cheer Pheasant population and the broader avian diversity within the lower Kaligandaki Valley. A minimum of 18 Cheer Pheasant pairs were detected, indicating an estimated density of 7.95 pairs per square kilometer. This figure suggests a significant recovery in population trends compared to previous surveys. The 2025 count surpassed the 17 pairs recorded in 2004 and marked a notable increase from the low of 6 pairs observed in 2009. This positive trend was primarily attributed to increases in specific locations: Pangpu Kharka showed 5 pairs, Pudar Kharka recorded 4 pairs, and Titi Kharka and Sarko documented 3 pairs each. However, this recovery was not uniform across all sites, as Sekung Kharka registered zero detections, suggesting a potential local extirpation, while Bunga Kharka maintained 2 pairs and Tangje maintained a low count of just one pair.
Beyond the Cheer Pheasant, the study documented substantial avian diversity in the area. A total of 898 individual birds were recorded, encompassing 96 species of 10 orders and 35 families. Passeriformes, commonly known as perching birds, represented the most speciose order, accounting for 67 of the documented species.
The conservation status of the recorded species highlights the ecological significance of the area. Of the total species documented, 6.25% are classified as nationally threatened, and 1.04% are globally threatened. Furthermore, nine species are listed in the CITES Appendices, indicating international concern for their trade. Notably, two species, the Cheer Pheasant and the Himalayan Monal, are included in Nepal's National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (NPWC) Schedule I, underscoring their national importance for conservation.
The study suggests that localized conservation efforts, such as protection from forest fires and excessive grazing, may have played a role in the observed population recovery in certain areas. The varied site-specific trends emphasize the critical need for targeted conservation strategies that are adaptive to local conditions. The comprehensive bird list generated by this research significantly enhances the understanding of avian biodiversity in the lower Kaligandaki Valley, providing crucial data for future conservation planning.
To ensure effective conservation of the Cheer Pheasant and the overall avian biodiversity in the Kaligandaki Valley and the broader Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range, this study recommends enhanced, expanded, and localized monitoring of Cheer Pheasant populations; comprehensive long-term avian diversity monitoring; and the promotion of community-led conservation efforts coupled with increased awareness and strengthened law enforcement.
Poudyal, L. P., Rajak, B. R., Tamang, K., Chokhal, K., Chaudhary, H., Ghimire, M., Baral, H. S., Wood, J., & Baral, S. (2025). Population density of cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichii) in the Lower Kali Gandaki Valley of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Nepalese Journal of Zoology, 9(2), 13–20. READ