MANSEHRA: The five of six indigenous species of pheasants face extinction owing to rapid deforestation and unchecked hunting in the forests of Hazara and Chitral.

“We have not only been breeding the indigenous species of pheasant, but also those found around the world, at Dodial pheasantry, but it is not enough to protect these beautiful birds from complete distinction until they are provided with natural habitats,” said Rehmatullah Marwat, the district forest officer of wildlife, while talking to Dawn on Tuesday.

He said that the world had been celebrating Wildlife Day on March 3 every year with a pledge to protect flora and fauna for generations to come, but sincere steps were still needed to preserve these species.

Mr Marwat said that the attractive and colourful species of indigenous pheasants, including Monal, Western Tregopan, Cheer, Koklas and Kialegee, found in high mountains of Hazara region were under severe threat of being distinct because of rapid deforestation, industrialisation, illegal hunting and use of pesticides in agriculture.

“We have been taking steps to curb illegal hunting but we cannot check deforestation, rapid industrialisation and use of pesticides, which are causing rapid extinction of this beautiful bird,” said Mr Marwat.

Khursheed Abbasi, the head of Dodial pheasantry established in 1984 to preserve the endangered indigenous species of pheasants, said that because of lack of effective measures pheasants were losing breeding places.

“Pheasants can only breed when they are in peace of mind, and when they sense any danger or loosing nesting space they are unable to hatch. Deforestation is a major threat to existence of pheasant,” he said.

Mr Abbasi said that Monal pheasants lived 800 feet above sea level in the mountains of Hazara and Chitral, but they had also fallen victim to illegal hunting.

“Though wildlife department is struggling to protect Monal, but its charming beauty and colour are its big enemies as hunters want it to be captured alive,” he added.

Mr Abbasi said that Eastern Tragopan was found only in Berpalis forests of Kohistan, but it was also under threat.

He said that Cheer was largely found in forests in Hazara, adding that Dodial peasantry had been hatching the specie through broody hens in large numbers.

He said that Koklas was also an indigenous species as it was found in forests of Nathia Gali in Abbottabad. “Would you believe that Nathia Gali forests house the biggest population of Koklas in Asia,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2015

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