Western Tragopan : Increase In The Population
There has been a gradual increase in the population of Western Tragopan at Himachal Pradesh’s Sarahan pheasantry, the conservation breeding centre, bringing a glimmer of hope for its survival and growth.
- Western Tragopan is also known as the western horned tragopan, is amongst the rarest of all living pheasants.
- Due to its beautiful plumage and large size, this bird is locally known as ‘jujurana’ or ‘king of birds’.
- It is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh.
- It is endemic to the northwest Himalaya, within a narrow range from Hazara in north Pakistan through Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, to the western part of Garhwal.
- The upper part of Great Himalayan National Park’s (GHNP) forest zone holds the world’s largest known population of western tragopan.
- It prefers a habitat of ringal (dwarf) bamboo beneath dense forest.
- It feeds mostly on leaves, shoots and seeds, but also consumes insects and other invertebrates.
- Conservation status
- IUCN: Vulnerable
