Data Zone
Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: A bird survey of this little known wilderness was carried out in April end, May and October 2000 as part of the IBA project (Choudhury 2001). Prior to that, these areas were also visited in 1997, 1998 and 1999. This is the first ever detailed survey of the area. Some information on the birds of this region is found in Choudhury (2000) and Singh (1995).
More than 300 species of birds have so far been recorded in the area. Many species could not be authentically identified due to poor visibility in dense forest. Furthermore, many commoner species likely to occur may have been missed.
Choudhury (2001) has noted six species of pheasants, including the globally threatened Blyth’s Tragopan Tragopan blythii, and the Near Threatened Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra. Blyth’s Tragopan was reported from Shergaon and hilltops near Moshing. Satyr Tragopan was uncommon but present all over the high elevation areas of Temperate Broadleaf and Coniferous Forests, especially above 2,000 m. It was the most abundant among the three tragopan species seen in this area.
The Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus, is not uncommon, and regularly snared by poachers above 3,000 m. Mandla-Phudung is perhaps a new locality for this species (Choudhury 2001). Temminck’s Tragopan Tragopan temminckii, was earlier recorded up to Subansiri area of this state (its westernmost limit, around 93º 10' E). Its presence in Mandla-Phudung area at an elevation of 3,000 m extends its western most location in India (27º 18' N, 92º 06' E).
Ward’s Trogon Harpactes wardi, is another Near Threatened species reported from this IBA. Choudhury (2001) had only two sightings, just outside this IBA, but he found that near Tenzinggang, Madhla-Phudung and between Shergaon and Morshing there were good potential habitats.
The Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis, a globally threatened species, occurs in this IBA but in low numbers. Above 1,500 m, this is the main hornbill species in Subtropical Broadleaf Forests with mature trees. But, it also occurs in Tropical Evergreen and Temperate Broadleaf forests. It was reported from Tenzinggang and Shergaon areas.
As Choudhury (2001) and others have conducted detailed surveys in this and surrounding areas, many interesting records are available. Choudhury (2001) observed a party of more than 4 individuals of Brown-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax henrici, earlier known as Prince Henri’s Laughingthrush, near Tenzinggang at an elevation of 2,200 m on October 8, 2000. This is the second record from India, the first being from northern Arunachal Pradesh (Grimmett et al. 1998). This species typically belongs to Tibet and Southeast China. Dickinson (2003) has recognized two subspecies. It is not known which subspecies was seen in Arunachal Pradesh.
Another interesting record is that of the Crow-billed Drongo Dicrurus annectans between Shergaon and Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, at about 2,200 m. This is a new elevation record as the bird was earlier reported to be found only up to 700 m and 1,450 m (Grimmett et al. 1998).
Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis and Austen’s or Streak-throated Barwing Actinodura waldeni are considered as Restricted Range species to the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA) (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Both species were seen by Choudhury (2001) in this IBA. Similarly, White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri, another Restricted Range species was also recorded. Beautiful Sibia Heterophasia pulchella, also a Restricted Range species of this EBA is a common resident with some seasonal altitudinal movement. It is found in Temperate Coniferous and Broadleaf Forest.
Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra, endemic to the Eastern Himalaya, with one record each from southern China and northern Myanmar (BirdLife International, 2001) was observed only once outside this IBA in October 2000 (Choudhury 2001).
This site qualifies as an IBA as it has 5 globally threatened species, some with significant populations, and 9 out of 21 Restricted Range species of the Eastern Himalaya.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: A small population of Asian Elephant Elephas maximus moves up to Shergaon in summer. During winter, they come down to the foothills and plains to avoid snowfall in Piri-la. The Tiger Panthera tigris has become extremely rare because of past poisoning for cattle depredation. Other felines reported in the area include the Leopard P. pardus, Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis (apparently common as many skins were seen at Shergaon). Other major carnivores recorded in the area are the Dhole or Wild Dog Cuon alpinus and Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus. The latter is persecuted for its bile and gall bladder. Once a bear is shot, traders from Bhutan take away the biles (gall baldder) and other parts. The meat is oftenconsumedlocally.TheRedPanda Ailurus fulgens occurs all over, above 2,000 m elevation (Choudhury 2001).
Among primates, the Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis, and Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus are common. The local tribes, mostly Monpas and Sherdukpens are Buddhist and do not kill primates for food. However, a few Assamese macaques are occasionally killed to reduce depredation in maize fields. Serow Nemorhaedus sumatraensis, Goral N. Goral, and Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak are also not uncommon. Both Goral and Barking Deer are frequently shot by local hunters. The Sambar Cervus unicolor is rare and the Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster is only occasionally met with (Choudhury 2001).
Illegal felling of trees on the slopes is still a problem despite the ban on tree felling by the Supreme Court.
Accidental and deliberate forest fires also occasionally damage habitat, especially in dry winter in the higher areas with temperate conifers. For instance, in early 1999, large tracts were burnt due to dry winter.
Road construction and extension has short-term as well as long-term impacts. The short-term impact is from the labourers brought in for the General Road Engineers’ Force (GREF), who camp at different locations during road construction/repair. They cut natural vegetation for cooking and heating. Many labourers who come from the plains do not have a benign attitude towards wildlife as the locals. As the road construction progresses, wildlife becomes scarce all along the way, indicating heavy poaching pressure.
The long-term impact is that these roads open up areas for vehicular traffic and settlements. Charachers take advantage of the increased accessibility, and sometimes induce local people to become part of a commercial poaching mafia.
The main targets of widespread poaching are pheasants and ungulates. Pheasants are regularly snared by GREF labourers. Some hunters have trained dogs to flushout pheasants and mammals.
It is proposed that this IBA should be declared as a Community Conservation Area (CCA) under the modified Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The entire mountain ridge near Mandla-Phudung along with the lakes above 3,000 m should be declared as a CCA.
Areas in the south and southwest of Shergaon, and up to Eaglenest Sanctuary, valley of Tenzinggang and the hill ranges between Shergaon and Morshing could be declared as Village Reserve Forests or CCA, as excellent primary forest is still found. These forests belong to village communities, like many other forests in Arunachal Pradesh.
GREF should ensure that their labourers do not indulge in poaching and large-scale removal of natural vegetation. Their dependency on wood could be minimized by supplying them with gas for cooking and coal for heating.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Shergaon, Mandla - Phudung and Kalaktang (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/shergaon-mandla--phudung-and-kalaktang-iba-india on 27/12/2024.