DISTRIBUTION AND THREATS TO TWO THREATENED PHEASANTS IN THE BREIN NISHAT CONSERVATION RESERVE, KASHMIR, INDIA

Two pheasant species; Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus) and Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) were surveyed in the Brein Nishat Conservation Reserve (BNCR), Jammu and Kashmir, India with an average altitude of 2300-3400m (7545-11155ft). The Koklass pheasant was observed mostly by dawn call count method whereas the Himalayan monal by transect walk. Most of the sightings were recorded in bushy area with coniferous vegetation and grassy litter fewerin mixed vegetation. The threat to pheasants was associated with anthropogenic pressure around the peripheries of BNCR followed by predator threat.