Exploration of the Assamese macaques in Gandaki River Basin, central Nepal
This project, under the support of the One Earth Institute USA, explored the distribution of the Assamese macaques in the Gandaki River Basin of the central Nepal. Field surveys and population census of the species were done across the Trishuli, Marshyangdi and Kali Gandaki River basins.
Exploration and Conservation of Newly Reported Endangered Assam Macaque Population in Far-Western Nepal
This project, under the support of the Rufford Foundation to Laxman Khanal (PI), explored the distribution of the Assamese macaques in the far-western Nepal. It employed a systematic survey across Karnali, West-Seti and Chamelia River basins. Additionally, it conducted questionnaire surveys among local residents regarding the conservation threats of the species. Awareness campaigns were also conducted at four different villages from where Assam macaques were recorded.
Sustainable Conservation of Assamese Macaque (Macaca assamensis) in the Catchment Area of Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project, Nepal
This study under the support of Rufford Foundation to Laxman Khanal surveyed the population of Assamese macaques in Budhigandaki River Basin which is the construction site of the dam-based mega hydroelectricity project of the Government of Nepal. A total of 79 individuals of Assamese macaques under four troops were recorded; one troop in Dhading side (east of Budhigandaki River) and three troops in Gorkha side (west of Budhigandaki River). Two of the troops (Fujel troop-1.233 km2 and Kyamuntar troop- 2.12 km2) were predicted to lose their current habitat completely when the dam comes into operation. Mastar and Baseri troops were projected for 54.1% (0.783 km2 of 1.45 km2) and 88.9% (1.839 km2 of 2.07 km2) habitat loss, respectively. The crop-raiding pattern of Assamese macaques was found to be localised in the crop fields close to the forest and river; and unlike the rhesus macaques, they were not reported to raid the crops from the storage. The Participatory Risk Mapping method shed light on higher perceived risk (17.3%) by the farmers than the actual loss (9.5%) quantified.