Seasonal Variation in Habitat Preference of the Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) in Langtang National Park, Nepal: Implications for Conservation

The Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus), Nepal's national bird, is a protected species facing significant conservation challenges. Understanding the population status and habitat preferences of the Himalayan monal (HM) is crucial for its conservation. This study was conducted in the Langtang National Park, Nepal using route census method during both the winter (November/December 2022) and summer (June 2023) seasons to examine the seasonal variation in HM habitat preference. During the winter period, the HMs preferred grassland habitats, while in the summer, their preference shifted to shrubland and barren area. HM abundance was negatively associated with the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the shortest distance from the survey trails. The HMs actively avoided areas with high anthropogenic pressure. In the summer, they showed a wider elevational range up to 4400 m, with a higher sighting frequency between 3600 m and 3900 m asl. A semi-structured questionnaire survey involving locals revealed that anthropogenic pressure such as poaching and free-ranging livestock grazing are the major threats to the species in the study area. This study provides valuable insight into the complex habitat preferences and critical threats faced by the HMs in Langtang National Park underscoring the urgent need for targeted conservation action.