PESHAWAR: A recent research survey has revealed presence of the stunning and elusive Western Tragopan in the Allai Valley of Battagram district, marking the first-ever recorded population of this rare pheasant species in the area.

Mohibullah Naveed, a wildlife conservationist and member of the survey team, said finding the Western Tragopan in Allai was a significant breakthrough for conservation as that magnificent bird was previously known only in isolated pockets of Kohistan and a few other regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the presence of the Western Tragopan in Allai Valley signalled hope for biodiversity conservation in the region.

“Known for its striking plumage and shy nature, this endangered species is highly sensitive to habitat loss, making its discovery in a new location a crucial development for wildlife experts. The Western Tragopan is a globally threatened bird species and this finding will expand the known range of the species, offering new opportunities for research and protection efforts,” he said.

Wildlife conservationist says presence of Western Tragopan signals hope for biodiversity conservation

The expert said the first ever preliminary survey for Western Horned Tragopan and other Himalayan Pheasants was conducted in 2024 under the supervision of Himalayan Wildlife Foundation with the collaboration of the wildlife department (Battagram Wildlife Division) and Wildlife Ecology Lab, University of Haripur.

He said the aim of the survey was to collect baseline population data of the Himalayan pheasants within the study area, primarily focusing on highly threatened Western Horned Tragopans for the effective management and conservation of this vulnerable species facing severe threats to its survival.

“The survey team conducted line transect surveys throughout the potential habitats and used local hunting dogs to flush the pheasants during line transect sampling. Furthermore 20 camera traps were installed at potential sites.”

He said a total of eight Western Horned Tragopan were directly sighted during the survey and feathers of male Western Horned Tragopan were also found. Mohibullah said Allai Valley was located in the Western Himalayas in District Battagram of KP province and spans over an area of approximately 56,081 hectares.

He said the valley was surrounded by the Kohistan Valley to the north, Chaur’s pasture meadows to the east, Nandiar Valley to the south, and the Indus River to the west. “During the survey, five teams were deployed in different sites for line transect surveys and each team surveyed a minimum of five kilometers transect in potential habitats selected based on the ecological preferences of the species.”

The expert said teams comprised two observers, a trained pointer dog, and a local guide with extensive knowledge of the terrain and wildlife. Indirect signs of pheasant presence, such as feathers and droppings, were also recorded along the transects to provide additional evidence of species occurrence.

He said the population densities of three Himalayan pheasant species Western Horned Tragopan, Himalayan Monal and Koklass Pheasant were estimated in a 37.25km surveyed area.

“The estimated population density of Tragopans was 0.27 individuals/km, indicating a sparse distribution. The low density suggests that Tragopans may be present in fragmented patches, possibly due to habitat specificity or human-induced pressures such as habitat degradation and hunting.”

The expert said the population density of Monals was recorded as 1.61 individuals/km, the highest among the three species, with the relatively higher density aligning with the species’ known adaptability to diverse elevations and habitat conditions.

He, however, said localised threats such as poaching and habitat encroachment may still impact their population.

“The density of Koklass Pheasants was estimated at 0.94 individuals/km, indicating a moderate presence in the area.”

The expert said the species preferred dense forest cover, and its population density could reflect habitat suitability and availability.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025