Nine new animal species have been found in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in the past 15 years.
The new species found in ACAP include Tibetan Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus ), Tibetan Argali, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, a rare species of Pallas’ cat and two new species of butterfly.
A joint team of Priya Joshi and ACAP Conservation Officer Parash Bikram Singh spotted a new animal species called ‘Kulu Farm’ in Manang and Mustang area some years ago.
The nearly threatened small wild cat species, Otocolobus manul, a native to the grassland and steep regions of Central Asia was also spotted inside the ACAP for the first time in Nepal just one and half month ago. Likewise, the Pallas’ cat species and a new species of musk deer were spotted inside the area two years ago.
“There could be many more animal and plant species in the area and for that, we need to carry out an extensive study,” said ACAP Chief Lal Prasad Gurung.
The hill districts of Manang and Mustang are said to be habitat of many rare animal species, among them are snow leopard and musk deer that are listed in the conservation list.
Spreading in 57 VDCs of Myagdi, Mustang, Manang, Lamjung and Kaski, the ACAP occupies 7,629 sq km area. Twelve hundred and thirty three plant species are found in the area.
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