The Red Panda, known as Habre in Nepali, is one of the rare animal species inhabiting the temperate forests with an abundance of bamboo in Nepal, India, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, and southwestern China. The estimated number of Red Pandas is less than 10,000 in the world, with around 1,000 of them in Nepal.
The two local units in Rolpa district, Sunchhahari, and Thabang Rural Municipalities have initiated new policies and programs to conserve the endangered Red Panda. Red Panda is commonly seen in these areas, so the plans are formulated to save the endangered species.
The local units have also started campaigns at the local level to preserve biodiversity and wild animals in all of the wards along with Red Panda Conservation. The Chairman of Sunchhari Rural Municipality, Mr. Aash Bahadur Pun Magar said that they have allocated budget for the conservation programs of biodiversity in their area.
Bagabir Gharti, a local of Sunachhahari village recalled the time when two pandas were found in the village three years ago and the locals had rescued them and the then-District Forest Office had handed over the red pandas to the Central Zoo in Kathmandu. According to the villagers, red panda’s habitat, faeces, and playgrounds are found in the forest areas in these local units; however, authorities have not conducted a census survey to determine its population.
The Red Panda Network has also been running a community-based red panda conservation program in Sunchhahari and Thabang villages. Mr. Teman Gharti, Ward Chairman of Sunchhahari Ward No. 3, said that they have started campaigns at the local level to aware people and Locals are also motivated to conserve endangered species.
Source: TKP
