Project Update: August 2006

I have completed some part of field research on Musk deer of the project. I have visited all Musk deer distribution potential VDCs of district and identify distribution area with in the district and intensive survey was done in the Marpha VDC of the district. The conservation education awareness classes were taken in the Marpha VDC’s Janwal higher secondary School. Art and Essay competition will be conduct in district level schools student of Mustang district in 15 September. Poster and Brochure is under construction will be published within the September. I will move next trip of the field in 7 September.

On the base of field survey, Musk deer is found in Tukuchhe, Marpha, Muktinath, Kobang, and Kagbeni VDCs and suspected in Jomsom, Ghasa, Kunjo and Lete VDC. Intensive musk deer survey was done in Marpha VDC which is distributed in different forest of VDC namely: Phong, Thalche, Chicheghang, Lumbuniyo, Napang Danda, Miprakiu, Kuplithang. 15 musk deer were counted in two forest of Marph VDC through silent drive count. Pellet group density was also observed in the other site of forest of Marpha VDC. Thanche and Phong forest have less human-livestock pressure area and frequency of pellet observation was high in this area. Different plant species were found in the study area such as Abies sp., Betula utilis, Juniperus sp., Cupressus torulosa, Pinus wallichiana etc. during the field survey I observed many snare in musk deer habitat. Poaching is also present in the area. Forest fire, forest deforestation, livestock grazing in musk deer habitat is major problem for the musk deer population survival.