Influence of Human Disturbance on the Abundance of Himalayan Pheasant (Aves, Galliformes) in the
Temperate Forest of Western Himalaya, India. Jolli V., Pandit M. K. – We conducted field studies in
the Jiwa valley (Indian Himalayas) to examine the influence of human disturbance on Himalayan pheasants.
We used the “call count” and “line transect” methods to estimate the abundance of pheasants in
Jiwa valley. A human disturbance gradient defined by human population, agriculture activity, forest wood
collection, grazing, vehicle, use of heavy machines, human settlements, dumping ground, and blasting
was prepared. We assessed the pheasant numbers under two conditions (1) a decline in the gradient of
human activity during two consecutive years (2009—2010) (2) in the presence of hydroelectric development
activities. The numbers of koklass pheasants, Himalayan monal, cheer pheasant and Western tragopan
declined significantly with anthropogenic activities. During spring 2010, hydroelectric construction activity
was temporarily suspended in Manjhan adit, and a positive response was noted in terms of an increase
in the pheasant numbers near the site. The response of pheasants to human disturbance has inferred that
large scale development can lead to decline of Himalayan pheasant in Himalayan region.