Management And Conservation Of Flagship Species Habitats
To manage and conserve flagship species studies, especially focusing on Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, will be carried out to estimate their population density and ranges and to understand their migratory, feeding, and reproduction patterns, their interaction with humans, and their forestry and agriculture activities. Understanding their population dynamics in relation to natural and human interventions is particularly important for the sustainable management of flagship species. In Sikkim, several flagship species can be identified with respect to their high hierarchical position within the food-chain, public popularity, and iconic status. For example, the Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Musk Deer, are the most significant & flagship species of Sikkim. These species inhabit the entire state, but their population density or persistence is not understood properly. Information on the distribution and relative density of the snow leopard, the relative abundance of prey species, the habitat quality throughout its range, and livestock depredation and resulting human conflicts should be collected. The red panda, blue sheep, and other middle- to large-size mountain animals are also important flagship species. Identifying and establishing observation points to sight them along trekking routes will add to the economic value of ecotourism operations. In addition, the Low Altitude Pheasant, and High Altitude Pheasant could be included in the study.