CHITWAN, May 5, 2026 – The Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU), supported by the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, organized a specialized research and conservation workshop at the Meghauli Tharu Home Stay to address the urgent needs of the Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii).
A total of 60 participants, including National Park personnel, university students and academics, community leaders, bird enthusiasts, and ornithologists, took part in the workshop. The program was chaired by NOU President Hathan Ram Mahato. The session commenced with welcome remarks by ornithologist Manashanta Ghimire, followed by Laxman Prasad Poudyal, who outlined the workshop's objectives and provided a comprehensive technical presentation. Following the presentation, participants engaged in a productive discussion, offering valuable feedback and insights. Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Suraj Baral, Birat Raj Rajak, Hathan Ram Mahato, and Manashanta Ghimire (all were engaged in the Cheer Pheasant Survey during 2022-2025) addressed the participants' queries and noted the feedback received from the audience. Dr. Hem Sagar Baral then delivered a keynote speech highlighting the global and national importance of the species. The workshop focused on the following five key pillars of pheasant conservation:
1. The State of Nepal’s Pheasants
2. Recent Research Findings (2022–2026) on Cheer Pheasant
3. Challenges on Conservation
4. Community and school children's involvement in Conservation
5. Future Priorities on Cheer Pheasant Conservation in Nepal
1. The State of Nepal’s Pheasants
Pheasants are among the most striking birds in the world, characterized by their large size and vibrant, sexually dimorphic plumage. Globally, there are 51 pheasant species, and Nepal serves as a vital stronghold for 8 of them. Six of these species reside in high-altitude Himalayan regions, including the iconic Himalayan Monal (Danphe), which is Nepal’s national bird.
The Cheer Pheasant is threatened and currently listed as Vulnerable globally and Endangered in Nepal. Its survival depends entirely on the rugged grasslands west of the Kali Gandaki Valley.
2. Recent Research Findings (2022–2026)
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Population Count: The survey recorded 118 pairs (totalling 236 mature individuals) across nine key sites in Baglung District (Dhorpatan, Bobang/Morang, and Bunga Dovan of Taman Khola); Myagdi Districts (Mudi, Dara, and Daduwa); Rukum East District (Lugum); Parbat District (Deupur); and Mustang District (Kali Gandaki).
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Density Variations: The highest population density was found in Kali Gandaki and Morang (Baglung) at 7.95 pairs/km², while the lowest was in Deupur (Parbat) at 2.36 pairs/km².
3. Challenges on Conservation
The Cheer Pheasant is a habitat specialist, inhabiting a narrow elevational range typically between 1,445 m and 3,050 m. In Nepal, records show an even broader distribution, with a lower limit of 1,378m in the Bajura district and an upper limit of 3,450m in Dhorpatan. Major challenges include:
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Habitat Loss: Encroachment and degradation of the rocky grasslands upon which the birds rely.
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Anthropogenic Pressures: Ongoing threats from poaching and illegal hunting.
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Biological Threats: The impact of invasive species, the rising threat of climate change on breeding grounds, and predation by stray dogs.
4. Communities and School Children in Conservation
Emphasizing that long-term conservation is impossible without grassroots support, the NOU began working with schools and communities in and around the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.
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School Eco-Clubs: Established in six schools across Baglung and Myagdi to foster environmental stewardship and awareness among youth.
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Citizen Science: Local community members have been trained to monitor research plots and protect pheasant habitats from immediate threats.
5. Future Priorities
To ensure the conservation of the Cheer Pheasant, the workshop identified the following future priorities:
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Technological Integration: Increasing the use of camera traps and acoustic monitoring to track these elusive birds more accurately.
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Predator Control: Working with local authorities to manage stray dog populations, which are significant predators of ground-nesting birds.
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Habitat Restoration: Prioritizing sustainable grazing management and the active restoration of degraded grasslands.
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Genetic Research: Conducting studies on the genetic structure and connectivity of isolated populations.