Mohammad Naeem Awan

Monitoring & Conservation of Cheer Pheasant (Catreus Wallichii) in Jhelum Catchments, Pakistan

Study Area, Jhelum Catchments, Kashmir, Pakistan.

Cheer Pheasant Sitting on the eggs for hatching.

Cheer Pheasant eggs.

Cheer Pheasant is listed as an endangered species in Red Data Book (IUCN). It is found in some areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Jhelum valley and this is the only area with major population of Cheer Pheasant in AJ&K. Extant population of this endangered Species is declining due to illegal hunting and habitat degradation. There is an urgent need of the time to conserve this threatened species through conservation measures and regular monitoring.

This is an initiative for the conservation and monitoring of Cheer Pheasant through capacity building of the Wildlife staff and involving school children in the conservation process through education. Monitoring will run over a period of about 3-5 year to assess the impact of the conservation education on the population of Cheer Pheasant. It is anticipated that these measures will play a positive and long lasting impact on the conservation of Cheer pheasant along with other Galliformes of the area. As fire is another factor detrimental to Cheer Pheasant’s habitat in Jhelum valley, so the school children will be educated about the causes and result of fire.

For further information contact ajkwildlife@gmail.com