Population and Distribution of Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) in Lamtang National Park of the Nepal Himalaya

The Himalayan ecosystems, which are among the least studied mountain face threats and habitat degradation due to unplanned development, natural calamities, overgrazing. Ungulates like tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus), play a crucial role in ecology as it forms major prey base of top predators ecosystems. Objective: To explore population status, distribution, uses Lamtang National Park (LNP), Central Nepal by line transect method during May 2022. Methods: Total 20 transects each about 500 m length were established randomly along River at different elevations from 3100m 4300m observed. Results: A total 154 recorded 9 herds that accounted for an average herd size 17.1 ± 5.77 individuals. elevational distribution ranged between 3107 4200 asl. Their preferred was rocky cliffs, with grasslands, shrublands, rhododendron-fir-mixed forests being utilized lesser extent. predominantly inhabited rugged terrain on south-facing slopes, prioritizing over other available habitats. Conclusions: demographic indices LNP show remarkable decline when compared previous studies same area 1976 2006. Therefore, conservation management initiatives urgently needed