MYAGDI, Oct 5: The red panda, a rare and globally admired wild animal, has recently been spotted in the forested Himalayan region of West Myagdi. The discovery was captured in video by a young adventurer, Subas Thapa, while he was exploring the Jaljala forest in Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-2, Lulang, Myagdi.
In the captivating two-minute-nine-second video, the normally shy red panda can be observed curiously observing passersby on foot. This sighting comes after seven years of dedicated efforts by organizations such as the Red Panda Network, Himalayan Conservation Forum, World Wildlife Fund, and the Green Forest Program, aimed at locating these elusive creatures.
Although researchers like Bandri Pandey had identified potential habitats for pale red, white, and black red pandas in areas like Lulang's Mareni Community Forest, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve's watershed, Gurja, and Mudi forests, actual encounters remained elusive.
Following the identification of red panda habitats, an awareness program was conducted in collaboration with the District Forest Office and local communities, educating students and residents about the significance of red pandas. These remarkable animals, known for sheltering in tree trunks at night and resting on branches during the day, descend to the ground to feed on weeds when hungry.
Red Panda in school curriculum
While the exact population of red pandas in the Gurja and Lulang forests remains unquantified, they are believed to be abundant. While community-level campaigns proved effective during the Green Forest Program and Red Panda Network's study, the lack of regular programs posed a challenge.
The recent video of the red panda has prompted action at the municipal level. Prem Prasad Pun, chairman of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality, has pledged to conduct a comprehensive awareness campaign to protect these remarkable animals.
"We will mobilize the community to save the red panda. It's also an opportunity to establish our region as a destination for red panda research," Chairman Pun stated.
The Division Forest Office Myagdi emphasized the need for a conservation committee at the ward level, public awareness initiatives, and habitat monitoring to safeguard red pandas.
The bamboo-rich forests of Gurja and Lulang provide an abundant food source for red pandas. These animals inhabit altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 4,800 meters above sea level and have been classified as an endangered species by the government.
Red pandas are legally protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act, 2029, and the Nepal government has implemented a policy aimed at their conservation through tourism from 2019 to 2023.
According to the law, individuals involved in red panda poaching may face penalties, including imprisonment ranging from one to ten years and fines ranging from NPR 100,000 to NPR 500,000, or both.
