Survey of Bengal
Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis bengalensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Gruiformes:
Otididae) in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and adjoining areas, Nepal
Hem Sagar Baral 1,5,
Ashok Kumar Ram 2, Badri Chaudhary 3, Dheeraj Chaudhary4, Anish Timsina 4, Sanjib Acharya 5, Krishna
Bidari 4, Suman Acharya 4, Binod Acharya 4, Prem
Thulung 4, Arjun Karki 4 & Krishna Prasad Acharya6
1 School of Environmental
Sciences, Charles Sturt University, NSW Australia
2 Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve,
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, PO Box 860, Babarmahal,
Kathmandu, Nepal
3 Nepalese Ornithological
Union, PO Box 21016, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
4 Koshi Bird Society,
Prakashpur, Sunsari, Nepal
5 Kosi Bird Observatory,
Himalayan Nature, PO Box 10918, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
6 Department of National Parks
and Wildlife Conservation, PO Box 860, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: 1 hem.baral@gmail.com
(corresponding author), 2 rashok05@gmail.com, 3 info@birdsofnepal.org,4 koshibirdsociety@gmail.com, 5 info@himalayannature.org,6 kpacharya1@hotmail.com
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3240.4076-83 | ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:75116FBC-FE2C-46A7-90E9-9088504E53B0
Editor: K.S. Gopi Sundar,
International Crane Foundation, USA. Date of publication:26 April 2013 (online & print)
Manuscript details: Ms #
o3240 | Received 26 June 2012 | Final received 29 March 2013 | Finally accepted
01 April 2013
Citation: Baral, H.S., A.K. Ram, B.
Chaudhary, D. Chaudhary, A. Timsina, S. Acharya, K. Bidari, S. Acharya, B.
Acharya, P. Thulung, A. Karki & K.P. Acharya (2013). Survey
of Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis bengalensis (Gmelin,
1789) (Gruiformes: Otididae) in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and adjoining
areas, Nepal. Journal of Threatened Taxa 5(7): 4076–4083; http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3240.4076-83
Copyright: © Baral et al. 2013. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT
allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium, reproduction and
distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of
publication.
Funding: The
project was funded by Himalayan Nature, Charles Sturt University Australia,
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and The Wetland Trust UK.
Competing Interest: None.
Acknowledgements: We
acknowledge the firm support and guidance from the staff of the Department of
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) towards the conservation of
birds of Nepal through Himalayan Nature. We would especially like to thank Dr.
Maheshwor Dhakal, ecologist, DNPWC for his support in facilitating the research
permit for this study and for being so supportive to our research work all over
Nepal. We would also like to thank support of Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Bengal
Florican researcher and staff at the DNPWC for his support to ensure the best
results from this survey. We would like to thank and acknowledge the staff of
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve for the support to our conservation activities
inside and outside the reserve. We
thank Himalayan Nature/Kosi Bird Observatory supported by the Tiger Mountain
Pokhara Lodge, Charles Sturt University-Australia, Van der Hucht de Beuklaar
Foundation, Van Tienhoven Foundation, The Peregrine Fund USA,
Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung-Germany and Parahawking: Share the Sky. We would like
to thank Prof. Karan Bahadur Shah, Sharad Singh, Prativa Kaspal, Prava Pandey
and Saswot Sharma for extending support and back up. We also thank Koshi Camp
Pvt. Ltd. run by Nature Safari Tours Pvt. Ltd. and Naturetrek Ltd. for help in
logistics. We would like to thank Badri Nath Pudasaini and Bhesh Raj Ghimire,
Directors of Koshi Camp for their support; Buddhi Prasad Timsina, Dhan Bahadur
Karki and Tika Ram Sherpa of Kosi Bird Observatory, Dik Bahadur Magar, Som
Magar, Shumsher Magar, Umesh Chaudhary and Rajji Uranwa of Koshi Camp, Tika
Basnet, Yogananda Pathak, Shree Ram Giri, Jagat Giri, Dr. Vivekananda
Jha and Chandra Shekhar Chaudhari of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve; Tika Giri
and Hathan Chaudhary of Nepalese Ornithological Union for having extended their
support for this survey; Carol Inskipp, Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Suchit Basnet
(Chair of Nepal Rare Bird Council) and Dr. Nabin Baral for their advice and
comments for the survey and for this paper.
Author Details:
Hem Sagar Baral has a PhD in eology of grassland birds from the University of
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He has been involved in bird conservation for last
25 years. He has held important positions for BirdLife Nepal, founded charities
like Himalayan Nature and Nepalese Ornithological Union and currently is an
adjunct professional for the School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University,
Australia based in Kathmandu.
Ashok Kumar Ram holds a BSc in Forestry and is the Conservation Officer of Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve. He has been actively involved in wildlife conservation
and management as a government officer of the Department of National Parks and
Wildlife Conservation.
Badri Chaudhary is Nepal’s one of the leading field ornithologists based at Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve. He is closely affiliated with Himalayan Nature and its
various activities including Kosi Bird Observatory.
Dhiraj Chaudhary is a young field birder currently based at Koshi Camp, a facility
that provides tours and accommodation for visitors to Koshi Tappu Wildlife
Reserve.
Anish Timsina is a young field birder currently based at Koshi Camp, a facility
that provides tours and accommodation for visitors to Koshi Tappu Wildlife
Reserve.
Suman Acharya is a young field birder member of Koshi Bird Society, a local
bird club at the edge of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Krishna Bidari is a field birder currently based at Koshi Camp, a facility that
provides tours and accommodation for visitors to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Sanjib Acharya is a research assistant working at the Kosi Bird Observatory,
Centre for Grassland and Wetland Studies, Koshi and is managed by Himalayan
Nature.
Binod Acharya is a young field birder member of Koshi Bird Society, a local
bird club at the edge of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Prem Thulung is a young field birder member of Koshi Bird Society, a local
bird club at the edge of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Arjun Karki is a forest guard in a community managed forests in the buffer
zone of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and is a member of Koshi Bird Society.
Krishna Prasad Acharya has an Msc in natural resources management. He
has written several research papers on biodiversity issues, was the Head of
Environment Division in the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation. He is
currently the Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation since two years.
Author Contribution: The study coordination and
paper writing was done by Hem Sagar Baral with contributions from the
co-authors in field observations and editing.
For figures, images, tables -- click here
Abstract: The Bengal Florican Houbaropsis
bengalensis is a Critically Endangered bird species. Populations have been monitored in Nepal
since 1982, and the most recent study showed a precipitous decline despite the
species being mainly confined to protected areas. A systematic survey was conducted in
parts of the Koshi area during April and May 2012 by walking transects in known
and accessible grasslands. The
total of 47 birds counted during this survey represents the largest known
population in Nepal, and perhaps the most densely populated area in the entire
Indian subcontinent. A crude
extrapolation of the count for the entire Koshi area gives an estimate of 60
birds. Several conservation
recommendations have been made to ensure florican populations continue to
thrive in the Koshi Tappu area.
Keywords: Bengal Florican, Koshi Tappu, Nepal, population survey.
Introduction
The Bengal Florican Houbaropsis
bengalensis is considered to be one of the rarestbustard species in the world (Hoyo et al. 1996), and was at one time described
the most threatened bird species in the Indian subcontinent (Inskipp &
Collar 1984). It is now listed as
Critically Endangered (BirdLife International 2012). This florican inhabits alluvial
grasslands located in India from the Kumaon Terai of Uttar Pradesh (now
Uttarakhand) through Bihar and West Bengal to the foothills and plains of
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, in the Nepal Terai and in Cambodia and
southern Vietnam (Ali & Ripley 1987; BirdLife International 2012). Two subspecies have been recognised: H.b.
bengalensis from the Indian subcontinent and H.b. blandini from
Cambodia and Vietnam (Hoyo et al. 1996). Populations have declined chiefly as a result of habitat loss and
hunting, and in the Indian subcontinent the taxon now mostly inhabits protected
areas (BirdLife International 2012).
A pioneering study on this
species in some of the protected areas in Nepal’s southern belt and northern
India was conducted in 1982, resulting in an estimate of 56–82 birds as
the total Bengal Florican population in Nepal (Inskipp & Inskipp
1983). The study concluded that in
Nepal all important populations of the species lie
within lowland protected areas. A
number of studies has been carried out since then,
notably in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Bardia National Park in 1990 by
Weaver (1991), Bardia in 1998 by Pokharel & Dhakal (1998) and Suklaphanta
Wildlife Reserve, Bardia and Chitwan National Parks in the years
2000–2001 by Baral et al. (2003). Repeated surveys have found population
declines in three protected areas of the central and western Nepal (Baral et al.2003; Poudyal et al. 2008). A
re-visit to Nepal’s lowland protected areas further confirmed the degradation
of grasslands (Inskipp & Inskipp 2001). These studies have concluded that
the biggest threat to the Bengal Florican in the protected areas is improper
management of the species’ grassland habitats. Grassland management has been haphazard
and without scientific basis, and there has been minimal record keeping of
changes brought about by management practices. In many cases areas were cleared and
ploughed to increase animal sighting for visiting tourists (Hem Sagar Baral
pers. obs. 1996). Poudyal et al.
(2008) provide the most up to date information on this species from Chitwan,
Bardia and Suklaphanta, then major Nepal strongholds of the species with an
estimate between 28–36 adult birds in Nepal, and more recently several
birds have been found in Koshi (Baral et al. 2012). Until recently the Koshi area was
largely neglected because of the belief that it held only a small population.
A thorough survey in Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve and its adjacent areas was recommended to determine an
accurate estimate of the population and status of Bengal Floricans (Poudyal et
al. 2008; Baral et al. 2012). This
survey aimed to cover the grasslands of Koshi area including Koshi Tappu
Wildlife Reserve and its surrounding areas to provide an estimate of their
population and present recommendations for Bengal Florican conservation.
Study
Area
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
(=Koshi Tappu hereonwards, centered at 26035’N & 87005’E)
occupies 175km2 of the Sapta Koshi River floodplain at the most
northeasterly extension of the Gangetic Plain (Fig. 1). It ranges in elevation from 75–81
m (Sah 1997). The reserve is
located between two flood control embankments and is subject to high annual
inundation during the months of July and August. An estimated 70% of
the reserve’s land area is covered by ‘phantas’ (patches of short grasslands),
water and riverine forests. Typha spp. and Saccharum spp.
are the dominant plant species here, although patches of Imperata spp.
and Phragmites spp. are also seen (Peet et al. 1999). Short height grasslands that occupy few
square meters to several hectors are found interspersed with young Dalbergia
sissoo and Acacia catechu trees on sandy islands. Riverine vegetation dominated by A.
catechu and D. sissoo trees dominates the islands and edges of the
reserve. The wetlands in the
reserve were declared as Nepal’s first Ramsar site for the large congregation
of waterbirds it holds during winter and its resident Asian Wild Buffalo Bubalus
arnee population (Sah 1997). Koshi Tappu has been a Ramsar Site since 1987 and together with wetlands
of Koshi Barrage which lies 6km south of the Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve, it is also one of the 27 Important Bird Areas of Nepal
(Baral & Inskipp 2005). A total
of 485 bird species has been recorded in this area (Baral 2005).
Grassy islands, small
settlements and agricultural farms dominate north of Koshi Tappu (26047’N
& 87007’E) extending over 70km2. Parts of this area are annually inundated
by the floodwaters of the Koshi River. Seasonally inundated areas have
grasslands, large flood plains and banks that are covered with sand and gravel.
To the south of Koshi Tappu,
lies the Koshi Barrage area (26036’N & 87003’E). This area is 7km long from north to
south and nearly 5km east to west, totaling nearly 35km2. More than 50% of the area is a wetland,
and the remaining area is intensively cultivated throughout the year. During the dry season
(October–March), several islands are vegetated with Saccharum spp.,Imperata cylindrica and Typha elephantine which are collected by locals for
household purposes.
To assist with stratifying
the survey into manageable blocks, four blocks were identified as detailed
below.
Block A
This block was the northernmost
of the surveyed area and included the two islands outside Koshi Tappu Wildlife
Reserve. Both islands were situated
within Sunsari District. This block
included the first island (centred at 26045’57”N & 87006’15”E;
area: 4km²) where grasslands were dominated by Saccharum spontaneumwith smaller patches of Imperata grasses. Sward height was estimated (using ocular
observations) at 50cm. This was the
most northerly of the area surveyed during the study. This block also included the second
island (centred at 26044’40”N & 87007’19”E; area:
14km²). The grasslands of this
island were dominated by S. spontaneum with fewer patches of Imperataspp. compared to the first island. The sward height was estimated at 50cm. There were approximately 10ha of
ploughed land, farmers temporarily living in thatch houses (10 houses counted),
and maize fields.
Block B
Block B included three
different sites, virtually covering the islands and areas close to the eastern
dyke of Koshi River. First of all
these were a small area (0.1km²) north of Koshi Tappu (centred at 26041’11”N
& 87005’38”E). This
small island was covered with S. spontaneum grasses with a sward height
estimated at 50cm. This block also
included most parts of the Koshi Tappu lands on the east side of the main river
channel along the eastern dyke of Koshi River, Sunsari District (centred at 26039’43”N
& 87005’11”E; area: 6km²). Three larger islands were visited and
all had relatively taller grasses with sward height of about 150cm. Taller grasses and areas mixed with
young riverine trees that formed very small patches of woodlands (approximately
5% of the area) were not covered. This block also included an area south of Koshi Tappu east of the main
channel of the Koshi River, Sunsari District (centred at 26033’49”N & 87000’20”E;
area: 9km²). This area was the
only one that started from within the Reserve and extended south up to the
northern side of the Koshi Barrage (within the buffer zone of Koshi Tappu).
Older islands (those formed more than two years ago) had been vegetated with
grasses and Typha, whereas more recently formed islands within the last
two years had some grasses and Casuarina plants. Saccharum and Imperatagrasses had a sward height of about 50cm. On the newer islands, fresh shoots of the grasses had started growing,
whereas in the older islands, grasses had been cut by the
villagers. Some areas of the
southern part were plain grounds due to overgrazing, and such areas were not
included in the survey.
Block C
This was the largest of the
blocks surveyed, west of the main channel of the Koshi River, north of the
electric pylons. A small part of
this block was in Udaypur District whereas rest of the area was in Saptari
District. The Maria River flowing north-south was
taken as the dividing point for the eastern block (within Block C) of the land
that touched the western most channel of the Koshi River. The western block (within Block C)
formed the western border of Koshi Tappu touching Udayapur District in the
north and Saptari District on its south. The area was situated east of the Maria River (centred at 26039’34”N &
87002’34”E; area: 50km²) and was characterised by Saccharum andImperata grasslands with patches of young D. sissoo and A.
catechu. In places where the
ground was wetter, vegetation was dominated by 75% of Typha elephantine. Vegetation height here ranged from about
50–200 cm. Near the southern
border of the block large sand mounds deposited by the Koshi project could be
seen. This block also included an
area west of Maria River (centred at 26039’34”N & 87002’34”E;
area: 55km²). The habitat was
very similar to that described in the eastern side. Comparatively more flowering Imperatawere seen in this block and Cymbopogon sp. was growing in small areas in
distinct clumps. These formed
evenly spaced grass clumps growing to a height of about 50cm.
Block D
This block was situated on
the west of the main channel of the Koshi River, south of the electric pylons,
Saptari District (centred at 26037’51”N & 87001’19”E;
area: 25km²). Grasslands were
dominated by Saccharum and Imperata species. The grass height varied considerably,
and on average it was less than 50cm. This was the most disturbed of all the surveyed blocks. On the very southern side, south of
Koshi Tappu, small human settlements were observed.
Methods
Reconnaissance trips were
made both in the eastern and the western side of the Koshi River between 24
March to 16 April by the staff of the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Kosi
Bird Observatory. On 21 and 22 April
11 surveyors, on 23 April, nine surveyors, and from 24 till 26 April, 12
surveyors took part in the grasslands survey for floricans. Surveys were conducted on foot after
reaching the survey areas either by boats or by a four-wheel vehicle. All four blocks were covered for the
survey (Table 1). Not all blocks
were completely covered (see previous section). Surveys consisted of walking transects
once within each block. A small
island in Block B was covered twice, on 1 and 3 May 2012. This was done because
of possible disturbance by people already present in the area on the
first day of the visit (Image 1). Survey times were between 0500–1000 hr. This coincided with the
time period when displaying male floricans were most active, and also when
human use of the area was minimal. Major grass species and vegetation type were noted with ocular
observation of average sward height for grass.
All survey participants were
familiar with floricans. Additional briefing on bird’s nesting and tips on the
surveyor’s safety from Wild Water Buffalo, Elephant Elephas maximus,
Leopard Panthera pardus and Wild Pig Sus scrofa were
provided. Each of the participants
used a pair of binoculars and selected participants were supplied with Bengal
Florican survey forms. In addition,
two digital cameras, two telescopes and one GPS were used throughout the
survey. Two long
poles with black and white clothes mimicking Bengal Florican’s display were
carried by two participants throughout the survey period. This was done assuming that it would
stimulate male Bengal Floricans to display thus increasing detectability. We, however, did not measure its
effectiveness. Participants carried watches to note the timing of Bengal
Florican sightings and mobile phones to communicate about sightings of flying
floricans to minimize double counts.
Although Koshi Tappu is a
protected area, nearly 93,323 people living around the Reserve use the area
(Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal 2009). In an attempt to measure the level of
anthropogenic disturbance, we crudely estimated number of livestock and people
seen using the area during the surveys. The total area surveyed was 163.10km² of which nearly half of the
habitat was considered suitable for Bengal Florican. As much as 145km² of Koshi Tappu
was thoroughly scanned; this constituted approximately
80% of the Reserve’s core area. The
remainder was outside the Reserve.
Enumerating Bengal Floricans
Double
counting was minimized by matching sex and timing of bird sightings recorded in data
sheets as well as via mobile phone when flying birds were seen. The nesting season of this species is
from May to August (Oates 1898). We
therefore assumed that the floricans had already established territories during
the survey and were faithful to their sites, especially in the morning when
disturbance was lower compared to the later part of the day. The total number of birds for each block
was added to come up with the total number of birds counted in six days. Information on habitats at Koshi Tappu
and adjoining areas were collected by field visits and also referring to the
latest images available on the Google Earth. We covered 80% of the suitable habitat
for Bengal Floricans in Koshi Tappu during the survey. We extended this
estimate to the remaining 20% sites that could not be covered assuming that the unsurveyed habitat was also inhabited by Bengal Floricansto the same extent as the area that was covered. Estimates based on the assumption of
equal sex ratio was not followed to estimate the population of Bengal Florican
as such assumption may not be true with threatened taxon (Donald 2007).
Several aspects were
recognized to be potential biases to counting the total florican population
during this survey. Since only
males displayed, counts were likely to be biased towards males. Grass height varied considerably across the
survey areas, and we did not correct for detection bias due to variations in
visibility. Bias due to different observers, timing of count, and varying
levels of human disturbance were also recognized, but have not been corrected
for. Potential variability
introduced by the use of florican dummies was not estimated. The number of floricans that had not yet
established territories during the survey was unknown. The possibility of birds moving between
blocks over the entire survey period was recognized. The numbers obtained during the survey
are therefore a crude estimate of floricans sighted during this survey in Koshi
Tappu.
Results
Bengal Floricans were
recorded from all the blocks. The number of birds counted in the different
blocks is given in a table (Table 1). A total of 47 Bengal Floricans was sighted, of which 14 were from outside
the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and its buffer zone boundary, two birds in the
buffer zone, and 31 from the core area of the Reserve.
Although 23 floricans were
recorded from the Block C, Block A had a higher density of floricans (Table
1). Block D with the least number
of floricans indicated disturbance and heavy grazing. In Block B, all but one sighting, were
from core area of the Reserve. If
only the north island of the Block A was considered, about three birds/km²
were recorded from here, a very high density figure
for this small island.
Assuming that the unsurveyed
area had a density of floricans similar to the areas covered, we estimated the
total population of floricans to be 60. All the sites from where floricans were observed Imperata cylindricawas the dominant grass species and Saccharum spontaneum was a co-dominant species. Floricans were only recorded from
grasslands that had >50cm sward height.
A total of 148 people and
3278 cattle/buffaloes was observed during the
survey. Most people were seen
collecting firewood and edible ferns. Cattle were recorded grazing in the grasslands during the morning when
temperature was pleasant and then retiring to the woodland patches during the
hotter part of the day. Presence of people and cattle at the time of the survey
might have resulted in sighting fewer birds but we were unable to obtain
conclusive evidence for this during our survey.
Discussion
We enumerated 47 Bengal
Floricans in the Koshi Tappu area. This is the highest known population in Nepal, and likely represents the
highest known density of this species in South Asia.
Inskipp & Inskipp (1983)
have used several observation methods to record the bird’s presence including
early morning or evening visits lasting several days using hides, jeeps, elephant back or on foot. These methods have been repeated in
subsequent studies and results are assumed to be comparable (e.g. Weaver 1991;
Poudyal et al. 2008; Baral et al. 2003). The method used in the current survey is different from what has been
practiced before. We also recognize
many biases that have not been corrected for. Therefore a direct comparison of the
counts in this paper with other work is not possible. Trends in population are therefore not
estimable. Given the endangered
status of the floricans and observed declines of grassland habitat, using more
robust field and analytical methods to estimate florican population is
necessary.
An earlier casual survey
estimated 12 pairs of Bengal Florican in the Koshi area (Baral et al.
2012). It was thought that the
estimate was very high given the disturbance at Koshi Tappu. However, the current survey has resulted
in a count of 47 Bengal Floricans, which is nearly two times more than the
previously estimated population for Koshi (Baral et al. 2012). Clearly, survey methods have serious
implications on florican counts and require to be standardized.
Prior to this study, a total
of 60 floricans was seen in Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in two consecutive years
1988 and 1989 (Rahmani et al. 1990). Similarly, in Dudhwa National Park 26 individuals were seen in the year
2001 (Rahmani 2001). There is no
current population estimate from India as a whole, though on a global scale the
country is certain to hold the largest Bengal Florican population in the world
(BirdLife International 2012). Past
florican estimates include assumptions such as equal sex ratio, and require to
be updated using more robust methodology.
The total birds counted at
Koshi area is the largest population of Bengal Florican recorded in Nepal. This number from such a small area may
mean that Koshi has the densest population of Bengal Floricans in South
Asia. The Manas National Park with
391km² and the Dudhwa National Park with 614km² are significantly
larger protected areas compared to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
(175km²). In Koshi, the
northern island with the smallest area has the largest number of the Bengal
Floricans for its size (Table 1). Together with the much larger southern island, the total number of
Bengal Florican comes to 14 birds (nine males and five females). This is undoubtedly the largest
population of Bengal Florican outside any protected area and buffer zone in
Nepal.
Recent estimates of the
species’ global population range from 250–999 individuals (BirdLife
International 2012). The methods
used to reach these estimates are unknown, which underscores the uncertainty inherent
in global estimates. It is
therefore difficult to know what proportion of the global population is
represented by the count in the Koshi Tappu area alone.
Such a large number of
florican in the Koshi Tappu area has been attributed to the improvement in
their habitat since last year, reduced grazing, and
increased coverage of the suitable habitats during the survey (Baral et al.
2012). Reduced grazing may have
favoured increase of grass height allowing more floricans to use the area. However, the impacts of grazing are
poorly known. Heavy grazing can
reduce grass height removing cover for birds while removal of grazing may
increase grass heights for Bengal Florican which is known to favour mostly
short grasses (Baral 2001; Poudyal et al. 2008). This study has supported earlier studies
regarding species’ habitat utilisation during breeding, viz., Imperata-Saccharum assemblage (Inskipp & Inskpp
1983; Baral 2001; Poudyal et al. 2008). Detailed grassland ecology studies combined with studies on the ecology
of the floricans are necessary to understand mechanisms that help improve local
populations.
There are also several
threats operating simultaneously for the Bengal Florican. These include disturbance caused by
human and their livestock especially during breeding, inappropriate grassland
management, increased predation, loss and degradation of its suitable habitat
(Baral et al. 2012). Although
evidence is absent, poaching may be occurring. The following recommendations
aim to reduce threats to Bengal Floricans and are essential for its
conservation in Koshi Tappu and its adjoining area.
1. Understanding
habitat needs of the Bengal Florican. Conducting grassland management studies is vital before specific
recommendations for habitat management can be provided. Grass species, height, grazing levels, impacts
of flooding and impacts of burning are all suspected to affect grassland
habitats and therefore floricans. All of these aspects require to be studied in greater detail, and
results incorporated in regional and national plans to help improve florican
habitat.
2. Grasslands are
declining outside of protected areas. Preserving them via purchase and private management is an option that
requires exploration.
3. Use of grasslands
for grazing, agriculture and other purposes was seen during this survey, and in
other locations in Nepal and India. Integrating the needs of the local people with the conservation
requirements of floricans is vital. Initiating integrated multi-disciplinary projects to improve protected
area management alongside human use of grassland areas is necessary. Creating site-specific awareness and
education programmes directed at specific threats is necessary.
4. Direct disturbance by the
use of heavy machinery was observed in Koshi Tappu. Regulating the use of machinery and
avoiding their use during the breeding season will assist florican management
greatly.
5. Documenting threats to
floricans and improving our understanding of their population biology is
necessary. Surveys have helped
identify areas with floricans, and future efforts using improved methodology
can assist to better understand the threats faced by floricans and their
ecological requirements.
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