Jumla, February 15
Red panda conservation efforts have hit a brick wall in Jumla due to growing poaching, forest encroachment and lack of public awareness.
Locals say that endangered animal, which used to be seen around the area is rarely sighted these days. The Karnali Bikash Hatemalo Sewa Samaj Jumla in coordination with the Habre Network has launched the Habre conservation drive at Sinja and Patarashi rural municipalities. The society is supported by over 150 community forests.
However, Habre Network’s researcher Saroj Shrestha shares that a lack of policy to conserve this rare mammal has made the efforts challenging.
According to data, there are around 500 red pandas in Nepal out of which 43 per cent can be found in Gidikhola, Devalgaun, Tamti, Patarasi and Riya.
Researchers have said that the number has declined in the past few years due to severe poaching. Conservationists have called for a combined effort from security personnel, locals and journalists to check and control poaching.
Division Forest Office, Jumla forest officer Niroj Jha shares that a need for a proper scientific forest management programme to build a safer space for this animal is at an all-time high. The panda mainly survives on bamboo shoots.
He argues that people still unaware of the ecological importance of red panda.
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