Western Tragopan

Facts for Prelims

Western Tragopan

News: Facing existential crisis, Western Tragopan sees a glimmer of hope in Himachal Pradesh for its survival.

About:
• It is also known as the western horned tragopan, is amongst the rarest of all living pheasants. Due to its beautiful plumage and large size, this bird is locally known as ‘jujurana’ or ‘king of birds’.
• It is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh.
• It is endemic to the northwest Himalaya, within a narrow range from Hazara in north Pakistan through Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, to the western part of Garhwal.
• The upper part of Great Himalayan National Park’s (GHNP) forest zone holds the world’s largest known population of western tragopan.
• It prefers a habitat of ringal (dwarf) bamboo beneath dense forest.
• IUCN Status – Vulnerable; CITES – Appendix I