Threats to Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus murghi) in Deva Vatala National Park, District Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Faraz Akrim *
Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Muhammad Siddique Awan
Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.
Tariq Mahmood
Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Muhammad Zubair Anjum
Department of Zoology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Siddiqa Qasim
Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Jehanzeb Khalid
Department of Food Technology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Durr-e-Shahwar .
Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Shaista Andleeb
Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to document threats to Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus murghi).
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Deva Vatala National Park, Bhimber Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan from May 2010 to June 2011.
Methodology: The data on threats to Red Junglefowl were collected by using a combination of methods which included semi-structured interviews, participatory observations and group discussions with local community.
Results: Major threats faced by Red Junglefowl in the study area were egg picking (88%) followed by hunting (16.40%), disturbance (12%), chick capturing (9.60%) and habitat degradation (9.20%). Majority of local people (44.80%) believed that they see Red Junglefowl less frequently as compared to past whereas, (32.40%) believe that its sighting has been increased during past few years while (22.80%) had no idea about increase or decrease of sightings. Shepherds were major group responsible for causing threats to Red Junglefowl (70.40%) followed by hunters (20.40%) and farmers (9.20%). According to our findings (89.20%) people liked Red Junglefowl whereas, (19.60%) people neither like or dislike it while a little proportion of people (1.60%) dislike Red Junglefowl. Majority of people (54.40%) thought that Red Junglefowl should be conserved whereas, (36%) believed that it should not be conserved while (9.60%) did not supported either conservation or exploitation.
Conclusion: Red Junglefowl is facing many threats in the study area among them egg picking followed by hunting are major threats.
Keywords: Red Junglefowl, Deva Vatala National Park, egg picking, hunting, threats