INTRODUCTION

A total of 4,629 species of mammals under 1135 genera, 136 families and 26 orders are known from the globe (Wilson and Reeder, 1993). Order Rodentia accounts for more than 40% of the mammalian species in the world with 21 living families, 443 genera and more than 2,000 species. According to Takele et al. (2011) small mammals form the highest proportion of mammals all over the world. Indian mammals are represented by 390 species belonging to 180 genera, 42 families and 13 orders. Another 13 orders do not occur in India (Agrawal, 1998). Out of 180 genera, 61 are monotypic and 105 represented in India by a single species. Of the 390 species of mammals, 175 are threatened with extinction to various levelsand on that basis 75 have been listed in Schedule I, 73 in Schedule II, 8 in Schedule III and 19 in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Himachal Pradesh covering only 1.7% of total geographical area of India, harbours 27% of mammalian species of India. Chakraborty et al. (2005) reported 107 mammalian species belonging to 77 genera, 25 families and 9 orders from Himachal Pradesh. Out of 107 species of mammals found in the state, 21 have been included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Present study area of Prashar situated at 31°45'15"N latitude and 77°6'5"E longitude, lies 49 km north of Mandi town (Himachal Pradesh, India). A three storeyed pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar is alongside the lake and with deep blue waters, the lake held sacred to the sage Prashar.

Fig. 1:	Prashar area in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh

The lake is located at a height of 2,730 m above sea level, approximately in the centre of a large high altitude alpine meadow (Fig. 1). The lake has a floating island in it. The lake is holomictic with uniform temperature and density from top to bottom at some time of the year, allowing the lake water to completely mix. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and looking down on the fast flowing river Beas, the lake can be approached after crossing thick forests of oaks, rhododendrons, pines and deodar. Weather in Prashar area is unpredictable experiencing untimely rains and snow mostly due to the dense belt of forest all around the area. Temperature ranges from -9-23°C in a year. The area is one the most favoured alpine meadow for animal graziers and receives flood of animals during summer and monsoon months.

Although, many investigators have studied the diversity of mammals in different parts of Himachal Pradesh (Sharma and Saikia, 2009; Singh and Banyal, 2012) but the present study area of Prashar lake has not attracted the attention of field biologists though it constitutes a part of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem under severe pressure due to heavy tourist influx and animal grazing, needs urgent attention.

METHODOLOGY

Various habitats like lake, forest, pasture, human habitations and agriculture fields in Prashar area were selected for the present study. The stratification was based on certain logistics like time frame, resources and size of the area etc., so as to get the maximum data regarding mammalian fauna of the study area.

The mammalian populations have been sampled by using a combination of direct and indirect methods. The direct methods included sightings of animals whereas indirect methods relied on quantification of indirect evidences such as pellet groups, scats, pug marks and hoof marks in different habitat types.

The direct evidences of large and medium sized mammals were collected by visual sighting method in different vegetation/ habitat types. The indirect evidences such as scats and pellet were also used for assessing presence and status of mammals in the study area. The information on small mammals was collected by general trapping method. Sherman traps were deployed in different habitat types for capturing the rodent species. After taking morphological measurements, captured specimens were released.