As the forests of the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates fight to recover from illegal non - forest activities, wildlife sightings have also been increasing in these forests. While the most easily observed fauna are flocks of Slaty - Headed Parakeets my continued work in surveying these forests which is supported by The Gadoli and Manda Khal Wildlife Conservation Trust, has shown an increase in the bird diversity in these forests.
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| A Slaty - Headed Parakeet in the forests of the Gadoli Fee Simple Estate |
Of the larger raptors that I have been recording here, one that fascinates me the most is the magnificent Himalayan Griffon.
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| The magnificent Himalayan Griffon in the Gadoli Fee Simple Estate |
It's wingspan as it glided overhead was unbelievable while I got some few photographs of this beautiful creature to add to my list of birds in these forests.
While the Himalayan Griffon inspires awe I was equally humbled on recording the Cheer Pheasant in these forests. The Cheer Pheasant is an Endemic Bird of the Western Himalayan Endemic Bird Area. Facing increasing threats of destruction to it's habitat throughout this EBA, this endemic bird is also liked by local hunters through out the EBA adding to it's woes.
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| The Endemic and Endangered Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) in the forests of the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates |
Protecting the forests of the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates is of prime importance as not only do they provide refugee to endangered fauna but also for their ecological and ecosystem services that they provided to the local communities.
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| Scant forest cover on the periphery of the forests of the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates |
With fast diminishing forest cover due to ever expanding human habitation and activities, these forests have a significant role to play in maintaining the quality of life.
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| The conifers of Manda Khal |
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| The Oak forests of Gadoli |
While unscrupulous elements continue to eye these forests for commercial development protecting this wild habitat for the home it provides to numerous forms of wildlife is of paramount importance.
I am sure that this magnificent Verditer Flycatcher will agree!
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| A Verditer Flycatcher in the forests of the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates |
