Himalayan Musk deer ‘Moschus chrysogaster’ is vulnerable species of Nepal. The project entitled “Conservation of Musk Deer ‘Moschus chrysogaster’ in Annapurna Conservation area of Mustang district of Nepal ” was carried out in Marpha Village Development Committee (VDC) of Mustang district, Nepal.

Research part:
The survey was carried out by direct field inventory, population/pellet count and questionnaire survey. Pellets groups were counted in transect line with the help of local people. Vegetation analysis was carried out in musk deer habitat by using sample plots of 10m X 10m for tree layer, 4m X 4m for all woody undergrowth up to 3m in height, and 1m X 1m for the herb layer.

In Mustang district Musk deer is found in Tukuchhe, Marpha, Muktinath, Kobang, and Kagbeni VDCs and is suspected in Jomsom, Ghasa, Kunjo and Lete VDC.

15 musk deer (5 male, 9 Female, 1 unclassified) were counted in Lumbubiyo forest area through silent drive count. Pellet group density in Chichugan forest was 7.26/ha. Therefore using regression model developed by Aryal, 2005, it was estimated that there was 2.4 musk deer/sq. km. Local people strongly believe that population of musk deer is being declined from the forest of Marpha VDC. Majority of the schools students were unknown about its legal status and only 2% of knew about that.

Forest land is most preferred habitat types by musk deer. The preferable altitude of the Musk deer in study area was 3300-3700m. There was increasing encounter rate of pellet 10○ to 45○ of angle of slope in study area then gradually decreasing. Moderate crown cover (50-70%) was highest in study area and pellet group were found in moderate crown cover. Total 5 species of tree, 4 species of shrub and 7 species of herb were recorded. Abies sp. (IVI=108.35) was most prominent followed by Betula utilis (IVI=91.95), Juniperus sp. (IVI=36.1), Cupressus torulosa (IVI=31.49), Pinus wallichiana (IVI=32.11). Snare/trap was preferred method of poaching. In the past, poachers used guns, poison and dogs for killing Musk deer. There were high threats to Musk deer habitat due to overgrazing by domestic livestock, forest fire, timber and other forest product collection, etc.

Conservation Action Plan part:
Participatory Musk deer conservation action plan was prepared by participation of local people specially Conservation Area Management Committee (CAMC), Marpha. Local people demand for alternative source instead of not disturbing musk deer habitat. They demanded for different programme specially focusing on income generating activities. Total cost for implementation of proposed action plan was nearly $ 82,500.00

Conservation Education parts:
Conservation education activities like art and essay competition, were carried out in school of the study area. Students from Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 participated in the activities. Total 21 and 23 students participated in art and essay competition respectively. Two days conservation education classes on introduction of musk deer, distribution range, status of Musk deer in Nepal, and ACA, threats on it habitat, our role and responsibility in Musk deer conservation etc, were conducted for students of class 6 to 10. The class was expected to change attitude of local people towards the conservation of musk deer in study area.

Poster and Brochure Publication:
The Project had published poster entitled as Save the Himalayan Musk deer and distributed it to schools students and local people so that it could convey the message of saving the musk deer for our future. Similarly, musk deer information brochures were published to provide information regarding musk deer and its status in Nepal, which had been published in Nepali language.