Exploring unprotected mid-hills forest to generate knowledge about biodiversity.
Funded by:
Project Overview
The mid-hills of Nepal hold immense biodiversity potential, yet they have received little exploration and protection. Within this context, the forest surrounding Dudhpokhari, which is a critical corridor connecting the Annapurna and Manaslu Conservation Areas, remains largely unexplored. The forest remains unprotected and neglected, mainly due to limited knowledge about its biodiversity. This presents a critical gap in understanding and conserving the biodiversity of this highly diverse landscape.
Our team aims to conduct a rapid assessment of the area’s mammals, birds, herpetofauna, and butterflies using various survey methods such as transect surveys, interviews, camera trapping, and audio recordings.
The specific objectives of our project include:
- conducting a rapid assessment of mammals, birds, herpetofauna, and butterflies, and
- disseminating the assessment findings to local government and national conservationists.
Despite the limited literature on the biodiversity of the Dudhpokhari forest periphery, our recent work in the nearby Annapurna Conservation Area indicates a rich biodiversity. With intact forests and a more remote location, we anticipate remarkable findings from our rapid assessment.
Our Approach
Using a cost-effective and reliable approach, we will select multiple study sites within the forest and spend at least seven days at each site for intensive field surveys.
Following the assessment, we will engage in local dissemination through workshops in wards/municipalities and schools, where we will present our findings and emphasize the conservation importance of the recorded species.
At the national level, we will publish popular articles highlighting our project, results, and the significance of our findings for conservation.
Project Update 1: Exciting Discoveries in Phase 1!
We’re thrilled to share a progress update on the Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the Dona Lake and Dudh Pokhari Complex! Our first phase, conducted from April 17th to May 17th, yielded some fascinating results.
Amphibian and Reptile Diversity:
- We documented 15 amphibian and reptile species representing six different families.
- This includes unidentified frog eggs and tadpoles, suggesting even higher potential diversity.
- While classified as “Least Concern” by IUCN, these species still face threats and require monitoring.
- Two species remain unidentified, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Butterfly Abundance:
- An impressive 82 butterfly species were identified across six families, representing a significant 11.8% of Nepal’s total!
- The Nymphalidae family led the pack with 33 species, followed by Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Papilionidae, Hesperiidae, and Riodinidae.
- This diverse distribution across habitats and altitudes showcases the ecological richness of the area.
Mammal Sightings:
- Our team directly observed 11 mammal species during the survey. (Details to be shared upon camera trap retrieval)
Bird Diversity Update:
- We’re currently processing bird data and have identified a remarkable 99 species so far!
- This number is expected to increase further once camera trap data is analyzed.
Next Steps:
- Camera trap retrieval and data analysis to reveal mammal diversity.
- Completion of bird data processing and analysis.
- Continued monitoring and data collection to gain a more comprehensive picture of the area’s biodiversity.
Stay Tuned!
We’ll keep you updated as our exciting research unfolds.
Project Update 2: Result Dissemination Workshop with Stakeholders!
On March 12th, we reached a key milestone by hosting a result dissemination workshop in Besisahar, Lamjung. This important event, organized by the Division Forest Office, brought together local government officials and national conservationists to share our initial findings.
The workshop provided an overview of Rapid Biodiversity Assessments and the specific ecological significance of the Lamjung region, highlighting why this area was prioritized for our study. We then presented the documented diversity of the region, showcasing the mammals, herpetofauna, butterflies, and bird species identified during our recent surveys. These findings offer crucial baseline data for this biodiverse landscape, previously lacking comprehensive documentation.
Looking ahead, a significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to discussing the way forward for conservation efforts in northern forest of Lamjung. We explored potential community-led initiatives, emphasizing the importance of local participation in safeguarding this valuable natural heritage. The insights shared and the discussions held in Besisahar mark a crucial step towards informed and collaborative conservation action in the region.
