![]() “The bird is not easily sighted in many places of the country,” he said. In IUCN red list, Himalayan monal is of least concern but Tshering Tobgay said that if poaching happens at the current rate, the species will be driven to extinction, even. He said, in future, the society has plans to conduct awareness programmes on the importance of the species and hence, reduce poaching. Tshering Tobgay said the species were threatened by different sections of the society and the trekking guides and their teams may not be fully responsible. “Besides Himalayan monal, Kalij pheasant and Jungle fowl are the most hunted species,” he said. The founder of Bhutan Birdlife Society, Tshering Tobgay said that in recent years, the society had observed increasing number of bird species being hunted in different parts of the country. Monal pheasant is one among the 23 animals listed under the ‘totally protected animals list’ in the Forest and Nature Conservation Act 1995. Meanwhile, the letter from forest department stated that the act is an offence and defaulters would be dealt according to the Forest and Nature Conservation Act 1995.Ĭhapter three (10) of the Act states: “The hunting, fishing, taking, removing, destroying, poisoning or injuring any wildlife, or setting traps or snares are prohibited in the government reserved forests.” “It is a future concern but if they are found defaulting, we will deal according to the tourism rules and regulations.” However, TCB Director General Dorji Dhradhul said that it was a cautionary note from the forest department and is not blaming the guides and their team. Wherever there are construction or renovation works, the labourers hunt down the animals,” he said. “Various birds are poached in that manner. In Thimphu, Himalayan monals are usually found feeding nearby monasteries such as Phajoding and Chari.Īnother guide said that while on tour to Phajoding, he saw construction workers in the monastery setting traps. ![]() The females are dull in color with the upper parts covered with dark brownish-black feathers. Adult male possess a long crest and are feathered with multicolored plumages throughout their body. ![]() Monal pheasants are brightly coloured birds. There is a misunderstanding,” Rinzin Wangchuk said. “Few groups or individuals might have done it but it is not right to blame the tourism industry. A trekking guide, Rinzin Wangchuk said that he had been trekking through different parts of the country for many years and he didn’t come across such incidents. However, some of the trekking guides said the claim was baseless. TCB then issued a circular to the Guides Association of Bhutan (GAB), stating the members of GAB should be informed about the unlawful activities. It raised the question of species survival if the trend continues, according to the officials. ![]() The exotic bird, found within a range of 3,180 to 4,775 metres above sea level was poached for its meat and was served to trekking tourists. Few days ago, the forest department wrote to the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) claiming that Himalayan monal, a sub-alpine pheasant species in the country have come under harm from poachers, mostly cooks and porters on trekking tours. ![]()
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