Key areas for the conservation of Galliformes in NW India

Pheasants, partridges and quails are among the most significant bird groups in Himalayan conservation. Habitat loss and poaching are believed to be the major factors responsible for the threatened status of several species. To aid these species and the areas they inhabit, realistic management proposals which make the best use of limited resources are required. However, the development of these proposals is continually hampered by a lack of sound raw data.

To help conserve species in northwest India, WPA has been conducting surveys in this area for more than 25 years. This has contributed to the establishment of protected areas but also recognised that significant important populations of pheasants are not protected within wildlife sanctuaries or national parks.

In the Indian state of Uttarkhand, WPA and the Wildlife Institute of India are reviewing the status of the resident 22 species of Galliformes. These birds include the most sought after galliform, the Critically Endangered Himalayan quail, and the Vulnerable western tragopan and cheer pheasant. Using this up-to-date information, WPA is evaluating the role of the existing protected areas network and identifying further key areas of conservation significance in northwest India.  By understanding the current status of species and their habitats and the existing protection measures in place, it will be possible to develop conservation plans for key areas and species, describing the necessary management and conservation inputs.