Danfe spotted in unusually lower altitude in Manang

By Yadu Prasad Bhatt,Manang, Jan.1: The Himalayan Monal, known as Danfe in Nepali, has been spotted in Dharapani of Naso Rural Municipality in the district. 

The bird, which is national bird of Nepal and typically found only in the high Himalayas, is now venturing into lower elevations. Faced with abundant snow in the mountains and a scarcity of food, birds like Danfe are descending in search of nutrition.

In all wards of Naso, it does not snow. The rural municipality is taken as heaven compared to other rural municipalities in the district. But only a few hoteliers and local representatives visit the village this wintertime. Others are escaping the cold in cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and surrounding areas.

During this peaceful time, the bird was spotted at the Eco Himalayan Hotel at Dharapani of Ward No. 2 of Naso Rural Municipality-2. 

Thuten Lama, Chairperson of Ward No. 5 of the rural municipality, said it might be chased away by eagle so it came to our homes. “It being a national bird, we need to take care of it and protect its habitat,” he said.

He said that the Danfe that came to the Eco Himalayan Hotel is now under the care of Kiran Gurung, the hotel manager. The bird has been handed over to Rabi Gurung, Chairperson of Ward No. 2 in the presence of Ward Member Nisha Gurung.

Gurung assumed that the Danfe settlement could be near the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) since it is nearby.