Title: Identification of Musk deer habitat, distribution pattern and conservation in Sikkim Himalaya
KeyWords: Black musk deer, Himalayan black bear , Dhandu, Himalayan Tahr, Panch Pokhri Musk Deer Conservation Zone
Published by: Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Managaement Project Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, Deorali, Gangtok- 737102
Author Name: Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Managaement Project Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, Deorali, Gangtok- 737102
Printed Year: 2021
Editor: Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
Language: English
Pages: 77
Details:
Executive Summary
Study of musk deer as flagship species was taken under JICA-assisted-Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project (SBFP). Five study sites were selected viz., Panch Pokhri Musk Deer Conservation Zone (PPMDCZ), North Sikkim, Areylungchok Musk Deer Conservation Zone (AMDCZ), KNP/KBR, West Sikkim, Churong Chu, , KNP/KBR, West Sikkim, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, East Sikkim and Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, North Sikkim.
Forest and Environment Department (F&ED) have identified a Musk Deer Conservation zone in Khangchendzongha National Park.
Two musk deer conservation zone has been notified so far viz:
1. Areylungchok Musk Deer Conservation Zone (AMDCZ), KNP/KBR, West Sikkim
2. Panch Pokhari Musk Deer Conservation Zone (PPMDCZ), KNP/KBR, North Sikkim
Aim & Objectives of the Study:
1. To study the distribution pattern of Musk deer in Sikkim Himalaya
2. To assess the present habitat structure
3. To identify current threats to the musk deer population and their habitat.
4. To develop Conservation Action Plan for Musk Deer in Sikkim Himalaya.
A total of 56 camera traps were installed during the study of musk deer as a flagship species. Total of five locations were selected for the study, 3 sites were within the KNP/KBR, and 2 sites were from two different wildlife sanctuaries. Musk deer was photo captured in all the selected sites. The highest capture was from the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary (KAS), East Sikkim. Similarly, capture of different species was also more in KAS compared to other selected sites. In >50% probability of musk deer habitat, 492 km2 of habitat falls inside the protected areas (PAs), while, 94 km2 falls outside the protected area. Similarly, in >25% probability of musk deer habitat, 1156 km2 is within the PAs, and 404 km2 is outside the PAs. So, those areas falling outside the PAs should be brought under the musk deer conseravtion habitat. From the MaxEnt software it is showing that 4 environmental factors, viz., Bio5=Max Temperature of Warmest Months, Bio9= Mean Temperature of Driest Quarter, Bio12= Annual Precipitation and Bio15= Precipitation Seasonality (Coefficient of Variation) as the governing factors in favoring the suitable habitats of musk deer in the Sikkim Himalayan. Climate change in near future can hamper the habitats of musk deer. So, the department should frame the proper management and conservation action plan of musk deer in Sikkim Himalaya.