In western Sichuan there is increasing awareness that the forests which are connected to monasteries are very important for wildlife and habitat conservation. We need demonstration sites where the link between cultural conservation and biodiversity value is clearly shown and where this combination can be seen to benefit a local community. So we select Pamuling Monastery as the location of my project.

Forests (and the species they contain) nearby the monastery are important to the monks and protected well. We wish to assess the conservation value of this forest and in particular determine its importance for buff-throated partridge(Tetraophasis szechenyii). The forest was burnt several decades ago and is now recovering well. Buff-throated Partridge has the potential to act as an ambassador for this forest because it has a high profile locally and so we wish to determine the species’ status at Pamuling, which other bird species occur there and the status the habitat. We will also assess direct threats, such as intensive collection of mushrooms in the summer months.

Our project is a three-part programme(gathering information, developing a strategy and then implementing the strategy). In this phase, we will:

1) survey buff-throated partridge in sacred and non-sacred forests;

2) compile a list of other birds species present in each season in the sacred and non-sacred forests;

3) assess threats to buff-throated partridge, other birds and the habitat;

4) assessing the overall conservation value of this area.

All activities will run for one year from July 2008 - June 2009 including all seasons. Our aim is through assessing the conservation value of this forest and in particular determine its importance for buff-throated partridge to provide the basic information on the status of key species and their habitat and the pressures that they face.

Once we can assess the importance of this area, we will work with the Pamuling Monastery Wildlife Conservation Association and Yajiang Forestry Bureau to develop a strategy for its long-term conservation. Pamuling has great potential to become a demonstration project because some visitors are already attracted to the area. The South-west China Photography Association and the Chengdu Birdwatching Society are also keen to protect this area and will be involved in future conservation work.