It's good to be back in the mountains and it's been really positive, not easy but positive.
The image is of Mila Gurung untying a camera earlier today. That particular camera picked up still images and video of Himalayan black bear, monkey species, deer species, numerous birds as well as small mammals. I was really happy with the results. Cameras were placed on mountain trails which locals visit reasonably often as well as other trails which see less frequent human use and some wildlife use. Where Mila is hanging out here was in the third zone where there is very little human travel. It was steep, we were encouraged to make each footstep a secure one. I was really thrilled with the bear videos.
There was plenty of prey for big cats but the elusive Himalayan forest leopard stayed hidden. So little is known about this cat. The rock star tiger is much much easier to photograph. That other main icon, the snow leopard, is much harder to find but the the most difficult by far are these forest leopards. I have huge respect for these animals. They operate in harsh terrain. They just don't get the big popularity votes the tiger and snow leopard get but believe me, when you spend time in their habitat here in the Himalaya you can't help but be in awe.
Yesterday I trekked into Chhomrong (yes it does have two "h") mid afternoon. I had had a brilliantly positive meeting with Paras Singh of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project the night before and we mapped out plans until monsoon. It's going to be a busy time, a lot of walking over varied terrain and some cold cold nights. But all very worthwhile. Paras is a visionary with an absolute passion for mountain biodiversity, a great guy to be working alongside.
So I was full of hope as I arrived at the Cottage in Chhomrong. I was a little sore, I had a decent load on my back for camera work higher up in the coming days. I got the usual lovely meeting from Suhila and Manmiya but they both were adamant that I should unload quickly and drop down the (in)famous Chhomrong stairs to a local meeting which was being headed another of the team in Project Mountain Tiger, Najar Man Gurung. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect, good news or bad. I raced down the steps hoping I wouldn't have to climb back up later with a problem to solve.
It turned out to be quite the opposite. I said my namastes to the group and was greeted with big smiles. The biggest was from Najar. Shortly before I got there, after a lot of discussion (some quite heated) a forest guard had been appointed to monitor and try and help discourage human/wildlife conflict situations.
I couldn't believe it. This was a major attitudinal shift for the collective. I said my piece, how proud I was of this decision. As I sit here now with layers of wool, fleece and down I'm warm inside thinking about it
I'll explain more tomorrow. I have one more day before I head from here at 2100m to over 4000m for a couple of weeks. As I wrote earlier, it's not easy but when there is progress like yesterdays, it makes all the effort worthwhile...
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