Presentation Outline

Nepal - nature, biodiversity & conservation Presentation outline

• Nature: physiographic & climatic cond. & biodiversity

• Bird diversity (rep. 38 families outof 69) • Threat status • Conservation initiatives

Where is Nepal ...... Himalaya

Source: Hagen, T. 1998

Total area: 147181 SQ KM (0.1% land of earth) It contains the highest mountains in the world, The majestic Himalaya range Small, landlocked contains Eight of the world’s highest mountains, culminating in Mt. Everest. Population: 27,800,000 (approx) Agriculture dependent : 66% 3 4

1 Mt. Everest

A 3600 footage at Lobuche (>5000m asl), from Everest region 5 6

Climate & physiographic general pattern in Nepal Physiographic zones with corresponding bioclimatic zones and sub-zones Cold Paleoarctic Pan Zone Physiographic Corresponding Bioclimatic zones & zones (LRMP 1986) sub-zones (Dobremez, 1972)

High Himal zones sub-zones (altitudinal range) High Mountain Mid Hill High Himal Nival (above 5000m) Siwaliks Tarai Alpine Upper (from 4500 to 5000m) Lower (from 4000 to 4500m)

High Mountain Sub-alpine Upper (from 3500 to 4000m) Lower (from 3000 to 3500m)

Temperate Upper (from 2500 to 3000m Lower (from 2000 to 2500m)

Mid Hill Sub-tropical Upper (from 1500 to 2000m) Lower (from 1000 to 1500m)

Paleotropic Pan Zone Hot Altitude 60m – 8848m asl. Siwalik Tropical Upper (from 500 to 1000m) Terai Lower (below 500m)

7 8 Spectacular view from south to north Photo: R. Suwal

2 ”Walking through magnificent forests of Nepal’s contribution of Biodiversity in World‘s Total oak and rhododendrons beneath the towering white summits, one can Plant Species Animal Species understand why some claim this to be Group World Nepal Group World Nepal the most beautiful place on the planet”. (Life forms) number (Life forms) number Number# % Number % Unique Biological diversity Algae >40,000** 687 1.72 Spider 39,490* 175 0.44 is the identity of Nepal Fungi >70,000** 1,882 2.69 Moths 160,000# 785 0.49

Bryophytes >14,000** 668 4.77 Butterflies 17,500# 651 3.72

Lichens >17,000** 471 2.77 Fish 10,000® 187 1.87 Pteridophytes 10,369* 534 5.15 Herpeto 12,650+ 195 1.54

Fl. Plants 231,638* 6,391 2.76 Birds 9,799© 878 8.98

Total >403,000 10,633 2.80 Mammals 4,675+ 200 4.00 Thundering rivers, magical montane Sources: * UNEP-WCMC 2006 Sources: * Patnick, NI.2006. forests and dense lowland jungles. ** WCMC 1992 # Smithsonian Institute 2007. supporting a fabulous range of exciting # Modified after Malla & Shakya 1998 ® IUCN, 2003. © Bird life International 2006. bird and mammalian species. 9 + Uetz, P. 2000. 10

Superlative in Nepalese Flora & Fauna Bird Diversity

1000

863 900

800

• 21 Orders 700

600

500

• 69 Families 400 Highest liv ing Bacteria Highest f ly ing bird Naur – largest stag Highest f lowering plant Smalest woodpecker 300

200

69 100 • 878 species 21

Or der s F ami li es speci es

• 62% resident birds r m 5% sw 1% • 14% winter visitors sv 6% Smallest rododendron High alt. rec. butterf ly Largest honey bee Highest cultiv ated rice pm 12%

• 12% passage migrants wv 14% res ident, 62% • 6% summer visitors • 5% residents and migrants • 1% summer and winter visitors Largest moth Rock Py thon Talest f ly ing bird Largest v enomus snake Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) Gaur – largest in cow f am. Spiny Babbler Turdoides nipalensis 11 One Endemic: ( ) Source: Bhuju et al. 200712

3 PAs & Bird watching How about outside PAs ?

Heterogeneous Landscapes on Steep Slopes at Low Altitudes as Hotspots of Bird Diversity in a Hilly Region of Nepal in the Central Himalayas

Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina

KNP BNP RNP SPNP CNP LNP ShNP SNP MBNP SWR PWR KWR DHR ACA MCA KCA Tej B. Basnet, Maan B. Rokaya, Bishnu P. Bhattarai, 287 426 241 208 631 347 311 208 421 373 503 486 137 476 193 280 Zuzana Münzbergová, 2016.PLoS ONE 11(3): e0150498 Source: http://www.birdlife.org/, NBRB13 2007 14

Basnet et al. 2016, PLoS ONE 11(3)

Basnet et al. 2016, PLoS ONE 11(3)15 16

4 Birds Diversity in World Heritage Sites (sacred grove) in Kathmandu Valley Avian Families Phasianidae 22 species 82 species - recorded from 10 orders, 23 families from WHS, Partridge, Quail, Pheasant& Snowcock Pashupati (62 spp.), Swayambhu (64 spp.) & Changunarayan (53 spp.). Over 75% of birds residential in the valley. Phaesants of Nepal

Con. Common Name Scientific name Status NRDB Chukar Alectoris chukar LC NT Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii P,VU, I EN Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus LC LC Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus LC,II LC Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus P,LC ,I NT Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos LC LC Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus LC NT Koklas Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha LC VU Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra P,NT,III, VU

Source: Grimmett et al. 2000 Inskipp et al. 2016 Tej Basnet, Bhushan R. Shrestha, and Vimal Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) Thapa Dec., 2006. [email protected] 18

Family – Anatidae Family – Charadriidae 17 species 33 species Family – Megalaimidae Family – Picidae Stilt, Plover & Lapwing 7 species 25 species Duck, Teal & Goose (Mostly winter visitor) Mostly migratory & winter visitor

Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Photo: K. Karki Painting by Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) H.D. Pratt Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii Himalay an Flameback (Dinopium shorii)

19 20

5 Dacelonidae Family – Bucerotidae Family - Upupidae Alcedinidae 4 spp. 4 species 3 spp.

White-breasted Kingfisher Cerylidae 2 spp.

Photo: R. Suwal Photo: R. Suwal Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops) Photo: K. Karki Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Crested Kingfisher21 22

Family - Coraciidae Family – Cuculidae 17 species Most summer visitor Family - Centropodidae

Family – Meropidae 4 species

Photo: R. Suwal

Photo: R. Suwal Chestnut-headed Bee eater(Merops leschenaulti) Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis) Photo: M. Cajuca

Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis) Photo: K. Karki 23 24

6 Psittacidae Strigidae Family – Columbidae Family – Pittidae 7 species 19 species 20 species 3 species Dove & pigeon

Source: en.wikipedia.org Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

Slaty-headed Parakeet Jungle Ow let 25 26

Gruidae Scolopacidae 28 Spp. Family – Accipitridae Family – Falconidae 4 species Sandpiper, Stint, Snipe etc migratory 49 species 13 species

Photo: R. Lather Photo: K. Karki Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis) Collared Falcon

SarusCrane (Grus antigone) Common Greenshank(Tringa nebularia)

27 28

7 Vultures & conservation status Family – Ardeidae Common Name Scientific name SS IUCN 15 species Family - Threskiornithidae Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus w NT Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus r NT White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis rm CR Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus rm LC Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis r NT Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris r CR Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus rm EN EN species Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus r CR Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) Source: NBRB 2007

Photo: R. Suwal

Black-crowned Nightheron (Nycticorax nycticorax) Black stork (Ciconia nigra)

CR species CR species CR species

Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) 29 30

Family – Muscicapidae : 96 spp Flycatcher, Forktail, Shortwing, Cochoa, Robin, Redstart, Grandala, Niltava, Wheatear, Redstart, Thrush, Blackbird Eurylaimidae Laniidae 2 species 6 species

Long-tailedShrike (Lanius schach)

Photo: M. Cajuca

Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae 31 32

8 Corvidae Sturnidae Sittidae Paridae Aegithalidae 48 species 12 species 6 species 12 species 4 species

Photo: R. Suwal Velv et-f ronted Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis) Black-lored Tit (Parus xanthogenys) Black-throated Tit (Aegithalos concinnus) Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) Ashy Drongo Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus)

33 34

Family – Sylviidae : 135 spp. Hirundinidae Pycnonotidae Cisticolidae Warbler, Grassbird, Chiffchaff, Cutia, Tesia, Tailorbird, Babbler, Laughingthrush, Leiothrix, 11 species 9 species 13 species Barwing, Fulvetta, Minla, Yuhina, Sibia, Parrotbill etc.

Barn Sw allow (Hirundo rustica) Black Bulbul Grey-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii)

Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris)

35 36

9 Nectariniidae Passeridae Fringillidae Threat Status 16 species 37 species 51 species

• 6 Critically Endangered (Slender-Billed Vulture, White-Rumped Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Pink- headed Duck, White-bellied Heron and Bengal Florican) • 5 Endangered Extinct species Common name Scientific name • 23 Vulnerable Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris** • 23 Near Threatened Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis** Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx fugax** • 820 Least Concern Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) Yellow-breasted Greenf inch Carduelis spinoides Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides** Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea Finch, Bullfinch, Linnet, Red-faced Liocichla Liocichla phoenicea** Siskin, Chaffinch, Brambling Recently recoverfrom Chisapanitar,Dahakhani CNP Pipit, Wagtail, Accentor, Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis Snowfinch, Sparrow, Grosbeak, Crossbill, Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra Weaver, Munia etc Grosbeak, Serin, Siskin, Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus Bunting etc White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis 37 38 Source: Bhuju et al. 2007 ** sighting record

Globally Threatend Birds of Nepal

Cat Cate Species Species ego gory • 35 globally ry threatened species Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis VU Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata VU • 19 near threatened Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichi VU • 35 globally species Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa threatened CR Bengal Florican Houbaropsis caryophyllacea CR species bengalensis • 15 restricted-range Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri EN Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus EN sps. • 19 near Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus VU Sarus Crane Grus antigone VU threatened GreaterAdjutant Leptoptilos dubius EN Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola VU • 130 breeding & species White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis CR Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis VU wintering sps (15%) Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni VU Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros considered nationally • 15 restricted- VU nipalensis threatened. range sps. Saker Falcon Falco cherrug EN Pallas's Fish-eagle Haliaeetus Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla VU VU • Habitat loss is major leucoryphus Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striata VU threat to 86% of birds Egyptian Vulture Neophron Jerdon's Babbler Chrysomma altirostre VU percnopterus EN Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides • Hunting, illegal trade White-rumped Vulture Gyps VU CR longirostris and poisoning are other bengalensis White-throated Bushchat Saxicola VU threats Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris CR insignis Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus CR Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra VU Indian Spotted Eagle Aquila hastata VU Yellow Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus VU Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga VU Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza VU aureola 39 40 Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca VU Source: BCN 2007

10 Conservation Challenges

Illegal taking & poaching Trade • Trade Hornbill Owl • Political instability Falcon Pheasants • Education Parakeet Munia • Use of pesticides Bunting Hill Myna • Habitat degradation

41 42

Habitat degradation Conservation Protected Areas • National Parks Ten Conservation • Wildlife reserve • Forest Organizations three • GO • Conservation area • Wetland DNPWC six • NGOs • Hunting area • Old trees (Kapok, fig) NTNC (Central Zoo) one • Grassland BCN, • Ramsar Sites SWAN nine • Rapid urbanization FoB • World Heritage Sites • INGOs Four • Use of chemicals IUCN • Buffer zone WWF & pesticides 43 twelve 44

11 Conservation initiatives Education & Awarness Kali Gandaki river is the ante-precedent river, i.e., it is older than the Himalaya. This river made the deepest gorge (over 5000m) in the world between Mt. Annapurna (8091m) and Mt. Dhalualagiri (8167m). The river is wider in the upstream and down stream with large riverbed providing staging area for cranes during migration & very narrow in Mustang.

Vulture Demoiselle crane45 (Source: Meine and Archibald 1996) 46

• Importace of birds • Illegal collection & trade

• Habitat conservation Migrating route of Demoiselle crane 47 • Use of Pesticide & Chemicals 48

12 References: • Tej B. Basnet, Maan B. Rokaya, Bishnu P. Bhattarai, Zuzana Münzbergová, 2016. HeterogeneousLandscapes on SteepSlopes at Low Altitudesas Hotspots of Bird Thank you! Diversityin a HillyRegion of Nepalin the Central Himalayas: PLoS ONE 11(3): e0150498 • BCN 2007. Globally Threatened Birds of Nepal. Bird ConservationNepal: Availableat: http://www.birdlifenepal.org/poster.php • Bhuju, U.R., P.R. Shakya, T. B. Basnet and S. Shrestha, 2007. “Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book” (Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites and World Heritage Sites). GoN, MoEST, ICIMOD, UNEP and NNC Kathmandu. • BirdLife International (2006) ‘Conserving the world’s birds: keyfacts and figures’ in Species Facts and Figures Available at http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/index.html • Dobremez, J.F. 1970. Biogeographie du Centre Nepal. Bull. Ass. Geographes France 379- 380:79-90. In: Nepal Biodiversity Resourece Book, 2007; Kathmandu. • Grimmet R., Inskipp C.and InskippT. 2000. Helm Field Guides Birds of Nepal, New Delhi: Prakash Book Depot, India. • Hagen, T. 1998. Nepal – the Kingdom in the Himalaya (4th edition). Lalitpur (Nepal): Himal Books. • LRMP. 1986. Land Resources Mapping Project. Survey Department, HMGN and Kenting Earth Sciences. Kathmandu, Nepal. • Malla, SB and Shakya, PR. (1998) Biodiversity Conservation and Management Plan.A report submittedto Land Resources Management Project (Forestry sector), Forest Research and Survey Centre,HMG of Nepal

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• Meine, Curt D. and Archibald, George W. (Eds). 1996. The Cranes: - Status Survey and Consevation Action Plan. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland,and Cambridge, U.K. 294pp. • Platnick, Norman I. (2006) The World Spider Catalog, Version 7.0. American Museum of Natural History Available at http://research.amnh.org /entomology/spiders/catalog/COUNTS.html • SI. (2007) Buginfo: Butterflies (Information Sheet Number 168) and Moths: Information Sheet Number 169. Washington DC:Smithsonian Institution http://www.si.edu/resource/Faq/nmnh/buginfo/start.htm January 18, 2007. • Suwal, R. N. and T. B. Basnet 2006. “Demoiselle Crane Conservation Educational Booklet”, NTNC Annapurna Conservation Area Project, Pokhara and NNC, Kathmandu. • Uetz, P. (2000) How Many Reptile Species? Available at http://www.reptile-database.org • UNEP-WCMC (2006) Globally threatened taxa of vascular plants: IUCN categories by families and major taxa.Cambridge (UK): UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center. Available at http://www.unepwcmc.org/species/plants/taxonomic_table.htm. • WCMC (1992) World Conservation Monitoring Centre: Global Biodiversity – Status of the Earth’s Living Resources. London: Chapman and Hall. • Inskipp C., Baral H. S., Phuyal S., Bhatt T. R., Khatiwada M., Inskipp, T, Khatiwada A., Gurung, S., Singh P. B., Murray L., Poudyal L. and Amin R. (2016) The status of Nepal's Birds: The national red listseries.Zoological Society of London, UK.