Protecting endangered cheer pheasant remains daunting task

By Hari Krishna Sharma,Muktinath (Mustang), Nov. 29: Conserving the endangered cheer pheasant, commonly known as cheer kalij, in Thasang Rural Municipality of Mustang has become increasingly difficult due to poaching, loss of food sources and wildfires. 

The population of cheer pheasants in the country is believed to be below 1,000. A recent study carried out in Bunga Kharka, Sekung Kharka, Tangje, Sarko Kharka, Pudar Kharka, Pangpu Kharka and Titi Kharka of Thasang Rural Municipality shows that habitat loss caused by poaching traps, the impacts of climate change, and a lack of awareness at the community level pose major challenges to conservation efforts.

Birat Rajak, Research Officer at the Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), said that although the population of cheer pheasants has shown some increase over the years, their habitat remains under serious threat from poaching and wildfires.

“The cheer pheasant population is scattered. Because they cannot fly long distances, they are more likely to fall prey to hunters. This species represents the beauty of our mountains, and it is essential to protect it,” he said.

As ground-dwelling birds, cheer pheasants are directly affected by human activities in forest areas, Rajak added.

According to the study, wildfires in Thasang -- an area under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) -- destroy nests built on the ground, killing eggs, chicks and even adult birds that are unable to escape due to their limited flight capability. Thasang shares borders with Myagdi and Kaski districts, making the area more vulnerable to the spread of wildfires compared to other municipalities in Mustang.

Survey records showed that cheer pheasant pairs found in Mustang numbered 17 in 2004, 11 in 2006, six in 2009 and 18 in 2025. Although hunting with guns has decreased due to the area’s conservation status, illegal trapping and wildfires have continued to hinder population recovery.

Rajak said that the peak breeding period -- March, April and May -- is also when protecting their habitat becomes most difficult. Community cooperation is essential to control poaching and wildfires, he added. 

It is found only in the western part of Mustang. As it has so far been recorded only in Thasang among Mustang’s five local units, Nepali researchers believed that the area could become an attractive destination for international-level studies on the cheer pheasant. The global population of the species is estimated to be around 10,000.

After learning more about the bird, local representatives have also pledged to support community-level conservation efforts, said Narendra Sherchan, Chairperson of Ward No. 4 in Thasang Rural Municipality. “The beauty of this area lies in its birds and wildlife. We are continuously running awareness campaigns to protect our forests from wildfires,” Sherchan said.

Sherchan added that fire lines and other protective structures are being constructed in the grazing areas to stop wildfires spreading from neighbouring Myagdi district.