The status and conservation of forest wildlife in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas

We report on wildlife and habitat surveys carried out by the Himachal Wildlife Project over two years in the upper Ravi, Beas and Sutlej catchments of Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas. Efforts were concentrated in the upper Beas area where natural forest ecosystems are most extensive. The wildlife of temperate forest ecosystems in the Western Himalayas is threatened by destruction of habitat and hunting. Two species of pheasants occurring in the survey area are listed in the IUCN Red Data Book (1979). We located small populations of both species and obtained information on their habitat requirements. The status of most large mammal species appears to be precarious, with the populations we encountered being small and fragmented. Species formerly common but now rare include Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan ibex, and musk deer. The snow leopard has disappeared completely from the area. The main causes of habitat destruction are domestic grazing, timber extraction, road construction, and extension of temperate agriculture. Adequate protection from illegal hunting is urgently required. We identified an area of relatively undisturbed natural forest in Inner Seraj, Kulu District, as the most promising place for the establishment of a National Park or Biosphere Reserve.