DISTRIBUTION OF CHUKAR PARTRIDGE ALECTORIS CHUKAR IN DISTRICT CHAMOLI, GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA

Received: 13 August 2017 Final Accepted: 15 September 2017 Published: October 2017 A study was conducted on the Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar in district Chamoli, Uttrakhand form July 2016 to April 2017 and information on distribution, density and habitat characteristics were collected. Chukar partridge were sighted between 1100 to 1870m altitudes with overall 6.36±2.07 individual/sighting in 33.10 km area. Average density of partridge was recorded 9.96±1.89 individuals per square kilometer area. Chukar showed a clear preference to open scrub habitats (dominant vegetation were Euphorbia, Rhus parviflora, Rubus ellepticus, Rosea sp. Berberis sp. etc.), interspersed with rocks near human habitations.

A study was conducted on the Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar in district Chamoli, Uttrakhand form July 2016 to April 2017 and information on distribution, density and habitat characteristics were collected. Chukar partridge were sighted between 1100 to 1870m altitudes with overall 6.36±2.07 individual/sighting in 33. 10 Madge and McGown, 2002). In Garhwal Himalaya, Chukar partridge commonly known as "Chakor" in vernacular language is a common sport bird and considered also as a pest species. No attempts have been made so far for its management because lacking the baseline data on ecology and behaviour of this species. In this paper we report new information on distribution, status and ecology.

Material And Methods:-
From July 2016 to April 2017, a survey was carried out in Chamoli, Dasoli and Pokhri blocks of district Chamoli, Uttarakhand. After collection of the secondary information on occurrence of Chukar partridge from local people viz. ladies (who regularly visit in the forest for fuel and fodder collection), hunters and forest personnel, potential sites were visited for 2 to 8 days. The trail walk and point count methods (Javed and Kaul, 2002) were used to collect data on sightings of Chukar and habitat characteristics (altitude, slope aspect, distance from habitations and crop fields, dominant vegetation etc.) Densities are given as the maximum number of individuals of different group per site divided by area of the site was also calculated. The overall sighting of Chukar was 6.36±2.07 individuals per sighting. Maximum number of bird (11 Chukar in single sightings) was observed at Gair whereas minimum number (3 birds per sighting) was recorded at Develdhar. In total 33.10km surveyed area, average density was recorded 9.96±1.89/km 2 . Chukars in pair were frequently sighted during February to April at Majheti and Maithana.
The birds were sighted between 1100 to 1870m altitude ranges but more than 75% individuals were recorded in the altitude range of 1200 to 1760m. Chukars appear to prefer south-east facing steep slopes covered with dense to open scrubs (Euphorbia, Rhus, Rubus, Berberis), open forest (Pinus sp.), rocks and crop fields ( Table 2). Of the total 330 Chukars sighted during study, forest habits were the least used (11.34±1.0%), while scrub area were the most used 33.30±3.67%). In rock and crop field total 28.65±3.46% and 16.87±2.84% Chukars were sighted respectively.

A solitary Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar
A group of Chukar partridge in their feeding habitat 993

Discussion:-
A wide spread distribution of Chukar partridge in the Western Himalaya was reported by Hume and Marshall (1879), Ali and Ripley (1983) and Kukreti (2007). Findings of present study reveal that this species is well distributed between 1100 to 1870m altitudes in suitable habitats in Chamoli district in Garhwal Himalaya. Chukar partridge appear to prefer scrubby, rocky areas and crop fields over forested areas. The perennial shrubs like Euphorbia, Rhus, Rubus, Berberis appeared as an important elements of habitats. Sightings of Chukar in small group (3 to 11) birds seems a threat to conservation of this game species in study area because local old hunters have reported sighting of coveys consisting more then 160 birds in the past. Despite the ban on hunting and poaching under Wildlife Protection Act 1972, hunting is still common practices around the study areas. Egg picking for food during breeding period in March-April is anther cause of decline of Chukar population. Garhwal Himalaya is hilly region and 45% area (of total geographical area) is covered under forests. Actual dense forests exist in 34.65% area and rest 3,132 Km 2 is covered with sparsely distributed trees, scrubs and barren rocks/stones (Chauhan et al. 2001). This large wasteland area in the form of scrub habitat can be used for conservation and management of the biodiversity including sports birds to generate income for upliftment of the status of the local people.