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Faunal Diversity Assesment in Chure Region of Nepal

by | 21-08-2016 13:15


The Chure range is a porous zone with loose formation of unconsolidated materials.It is the youngest part of the Himalayan system which is formed of the fluvial sedimentary rocks which is not fully adjusted and all the rivers and rivulates from Mahabharat range flow from this area to the Terai hence it is a sensitive area.It is also known as ?Siwalik? and covers 12.78% land of the country.
The Chure range consists of humid tropical climatic zone (Nayava, 1975) with the average temperature ranges in between 20 degree celcius to 24 degree celcius in the winter (Gurung and Khanal, 1986-88).The rate and amount of rainfall is more diversified. About 80% of the rainfall during in the months of June-September, and received an average between 1500-3200mm of rainfall annually. The belt has sub-tropical evergreen forest dominated by Saal (Shorea robusta), Khair (Acaciacatechu), Saaj (Terminalia alata) and Sisau (Dalbergia sissoo) which are common species whereas Khair and Simal (Bambax ceiba) are endangered and Vijaya Saal is rare species found in the region. Neem (Azadirachta indica), Kurilo (Asparegus recemosus), Harro (Terminaliachebula), Barro (Terminalia bellirica), Amala (Phyllanthus emblica) are herbal plants and Bharlo (Bauhinia vahlii), Khanyu (FiFicus hispida), Tanki (Bauhinia purpurea), Dabdabe (Garuga pinnata) and Badahar (Artocarpus lakoocha) are dominant fodder trees recorded in the region.

Chure range is important from ecological, social, economical and political perspective of Nepal.Around 60% of Chure is Covered by forest and is rich in biodiversity, however the region is considered vulnerable to natural disasters loke landslide, flood, erosions and climate change impacts.Also this fragile ecosystem, is further aggravated by other anthropogenic interventions such as encroachment, cultivation, illegal logging, grazing, extraction of sand and gravels etc. Considering it?s great social and ecological significance,Government of Nepal has given emphasis on its conservation since 1970 and started ? Rastrapati Chure Conservation Programme(RCCP)? with Nrs.250 million in 2010.This programme is lead by Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and is implemented in 27 districts of Nepal through Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management.

And currently the Rastrapati Chure Conservation development Board is planning to conduct a faunal diversity assessment in Chure range collaborating with national Trust for Nature Conservation.The assessment will help in identifying biodiversity pocket areas and to asses current disturbance regimes and threats to biodiversity, said Dr. Annapurna Nanda Dismember secretary of the RCCP.He further mentioned that comprehensive faunal data will be prepared after the assessment as faunal data are significant in formulating policy for their conservation.

The assessment will be done in four blocks where eastern block comprises areas from Mechi to Bagmati river,Central from Bagamati River to Tinau Khola,Western from Tinau to the Karnali River and far-western from Karnali to the Mahakali River covering 4,786 sq.Km.,5624 sq.km.,6401 sq.Km. and 2172 sq.Km. Respectively.The assement is expected to be complete by 2017 while it will be stared from last week of this August.
The assessment will include avifauna survey, herpeto-fauna survey, butterfly and insect survey and occupancy data analysis. The estimated cost is Nrs.29, 158,313.

Source:- The Himalayan times National Daily
References:-
Gurung, H. and Khanal, N. 1986-88.Landscape Processes in the Chure range central Nepal ,The Himalaya Review, Nepal Geographical Society, Vol. xvii-xix, Kathmandu

http://rccp.gov.np/

http://www.academia.edu/892453/Landscape_Profile_Chure_Range_A_Fragile_Topography