KALIKOT, June 17: The endangered tree-dwelling animal, the red panda, has been spotted in three local units of Kalikot district in Karnali Province.
Tilgupha Municipality, Mahawai Rural Municipality, and Shubha Kalika Rural Municipality have reported sightings of the red panda, according to representatives of government and non-government organizations.
Red Panda in school curriculum
The district coordinator of the Human Rights and Environment Development Centre (HuRENDEC), Dilip Kumar Shahi, informed that the endangered animal was discovered during biodiversity monitoring in the protected forest of Rudubanchu in Tilgupha Municipality–10. “In view of the discovery of the red panda, HuRENDEC Nepal has encouraged locals not to destroy bamboo forests,” he said, adding that conservation efforts are being carried out effectively there.
The mayor of Tilgupha Municipality, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, said locals of the Rurubancha area were working for the conservation of forests, especially the habitat of endangered animals. He added that public awareness plays an important role in the conservation of such wildlife.
The chair of Shubha Kalika Rural Municipality, Govinda Prasad Acharya, said the tree-dwelling animal was also found in the Haudi area of the local unit.
Red pandas mainly feed on bamboo leaves and shoots. Their habitat lies in areas between 2,200 metres and 4,000 metres above sea level. Conservationists, however, warn that red pandas could be threatened if forest fires, human encroachment, and stray dog attacks are not controlled.
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