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Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

01/08/23 06:07 AM IST

Western Tragopan

In News
  • Himachal Pradesh’s State bird – Western Tragopan (Tragopan-melanocephalus) – has been facing habitat loss in parts of the country.
Threats
  • The Western Tragopan is grappling with the issue of habitat loss.
  • Human activities, including deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion, have led to the degradation and fragmentation of its natural habitats.
  • As a result, the bird’s population has been severely impacted, posing a serious challenge for its survival.
  • Apart from habitat loss, the Western Tragopan faces threats from hunting and other anthropogenic factors.
  • The decline in its natural populations has raised concerns about its overall survival.
  • Birdlife International (2020) estimates the global population to be around 3,000 individuals, underscoring the need for urgent conservation efforts.
  • Due to the multiple threats and the declining population, the Western Tragopan has been listed as “Vulnerable” (VU) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Data list.
  • This designation emphasizes the importance of immediate actions to safeguard this magnificent bird from further decline.
Conservation Efforts
  • The conservation and reintroduction efforts for the Western Tragopan involve various stakeholders.
  • The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, the Himachal Pradesh Zoo and Conservation Breeding Society, and the Sarahan wildlife division have been actively working together to protect and reintroduce this rare and endangered species into its natural habitat.
  • The Sarahan pheasantry, situated in Shimla, has emerged as a significant breeding center for the Western Tragopan.
  • Despite facing habitat loss, this conservation breeding center has witnessed a gradual increase in the population of the species over the past two decades.
  • The efforts of the authorities have been fruitful, with the number of Western Tragopans growing from two in 2002 to an impressive 47 individuals in 2022.
Source- The Hindu

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