Poaching causing problems in red panda conservation

Conservation of the Red Panda (Habre), which is a rare wild animal and is found in various places in West Myagdi is becoming difficult due to poaching.

 The light red, white and black red panda found in the forests of Gurja, Mudi and Lulang of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality is a hunter's favourite. Locals also hunt red pandas using homemade weapons. Five years ago, the Red Panda Network and the Himalayan Conservation Forum conducted a search operation with the help of the World Wildlife Fund and the financial support of the Green Forest Program.

However, according to Jasveer Wik, a local, poaching has increased as the conservation campaign has stopped for two years. After the researchers of Red Panda Network educated the locals about red panda conservation and showed them its habitat, they started to protect it.

 According to Jhak Prasad Chantyal, Ward President of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-1, hunters are hunting the endangered Red Panda along with deer and boars in the places bordering the hunting reserve in Dhorpatan. "The Red Panda Protection Committee has been conducting regular patrols, public awareness programs, and restricting movement in the areas around the habitat", he said.

Although five red pandas were found in the forest of West Myagdi in the preliminary research, it is estimated that there are about 20 red pandas in the community and national forests under the rural municipality. The red panda, which lives at an altitude of 2,000 to 4,800 meters above sea level, has been listed as an endangered species by the government.

Under the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the red panda has been placed in the protected list.

Chairman of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality, Prem Pun, said that they have been helping the locals to control the smuggling of red pandas and other wild animals. Saroj Shrestha, a researcher, said that in addition to Myagdi, there are red panda habitats in Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dhading, Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, Baglung and other districts.