Assistant conservator Sandeep Sharma, who is also involved in the breeding programme, said: 'We are keeping our fingers crossed about the fate of the remaining eggs. Some of them are hatching under normal conditions.'

State Forest Minister J.P. Nadda said: 'It is a joyous moment for us as breeding took place for the third consecutive year. The survival of this gorgeous bird depends on the success of the programme as Sarahan Pheasantry is the only place in the world which has nine pairs in captivity.'

According to Nadda, the aim of the programme is to breed enough stocks of the endangered species in captivity for their re-introduction in the wild.

He said biologist Corder, who visited Sarahan in November last year, suggested a number of steps to create a natural environment in aviaries and change in diet for successful breeding and rearing of the chicks.

'A project is under way at Sarahan to construct new aviaries to allow birds to breed more successfully,' the minister added.

Corder attributed the tragopan's downfall to habitat degradation, hunting and extensive grazing of the forest by livestock.

Himachal Pradesh is known as a storehouse of biodiversity. Its lush green valleys and snow-capped mountains nest 36 percent of India's bird species.

Of the 1,228 species of birds that have been reported in India, 447 have been recorded in the hill state alone by the Himachal State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in its biodiversity report.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)