Habitat study of Chukar partridge (Alectorus chukar) in district Malakand: A case study of town Thana, Pakistan
Paper Details
Habitat study of Chukar partridge (Alectorus chukar) in district Malakand: A case study of town Thana, Pakistan
Abstract
The present study described the status, habitat, ecology and causes of decreasing population of Chukar partridge (Alectoris Chukar) in town Thana of district Malakand. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire survey and visits to the study areas in the morning and late afternoon along with the three helpers to study its habitat and their different activities in the study areas. Secondary data was collected from the literature. The areas such as Dabber Tangy (Chrhat), Obukhwarh and Top dara were selected as a sampling points for data collection. Many flocks were observed during the study in which the average numbers in each flock were about 10-12. The majority of the respondents 22(55%) replied that Chukar is present in abundance at Top dara, especially in rocky and shrubby vegetation 24(60%). Similarly, 28(70%) respondent agreed its population decline due to habitat destruction and 20(60%) answered that Jackal is its main ecological predator. Majority of the respondents 23(57.5%) replied that there is illegal hunting of Chukar and 34(85%) were in favor of controlling illegal hunting and trapping of Chukar while 40(100%) replied that hunting can be legalized through legal license and permits. Chukar mostly feeds on wild seed and grain. There is an urgent need to conserve Chukar by improving their habitat in the study area, avoid illegal hunting and facilitate the wildlife department for monitoring of the area, give incentives to the community of the area and regulate hunting.
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Bilal Ahmad, Ghulam Nabi, Muhammad Hayat, Juma Muhammad, 2017. Habitat study of Chukar partridge (Alectorus chukar) in district Malakand: A case study of town Thana, Pakistan. J. Biodiv. Environ. Sci., 11(4), 11-17.
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