Introduction

The red panda Ailurus fulgens is listed as ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and an Appendix I species in the CITES. The global red panda population has declined by 50% over the last 20 years; estimates have them at less than 10,000 and as few as 2,500 remaining in the wild.
Habitat loss is the primary threat to red pandas. Anthropogenic pressures from rapid human population growth and unsustainable living practices are causing the degradation and fragmentation of red panda habitat. As a tree- dwelling species, red pandas struggle to survive when forests are fragmented and populations become susceptible to genetic bottleneck. The common threats to the endangered species in the red panda habitat include free-grazing livestock, construction of rural roads through the core habitat, habitat fragmentation, habitat encroachment, human-wildlife conflict (mostly retaliatory killing), poaching and illegal wildlife trade, attack by free-roaming dogs, drying up of water sources, human disturbances during mating and breeding seasons of wildlife, lack of wildlife corridors, insufficient environmental awareness among local communities.
To combat this crisis, RPN has adopted a comprehensive strategy to re-establish and link vital habitats.

The "Plant a Red Panda Home" Campaign:

In 2015, the Red Panda Network initiated habitat restoration initiatives with small-scale reforestation as a part of its community-based red panda conservation program. This initiative developed into a flagship campaign known as “Plant a Red Panda Home” in 2020, which reforests core habitat and connects fragmented forest through land purchase and tree planting to create a wildlife corridor to sustain a viable red panda population. This will help in building a bio-bridge that connects the fragmented patches of red panda habitat not only in the habitat inside Nepal but also towards the protected areas of India. This project will support the global movement for the protection and revival of ecosystems with UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.

Working district

We are working in 13 districts of Nepal and in each district, we have one local partner organization to support our conservation efforts. Currently, eastern Nepal's Ilam district is a priority location for the campaign. In this district, along the Nepal–India border, there are 1,500 ha of barren land that hinder the movement of red pandas and other wildlife. Because of this, we are restoring 630 hectares of forest corridor in Jaubari, located along the Nepal-India border in Sandakpur Rural Municipality, Ilam district. This corridor connects protected areas in Nepal with Singalila National Park in India.

The Restoration Process:

We support local councils and community forest user groups to establish and run forest conservation nurseries located near restoration sites to reduce costs and enhance sapling survival rates. We also support local partner NGO to purchase seedlings for planting. The income from their local nurseries will help them to continue their nurseries in the long-run. Plantation of native trees (red panda food and shelter species, and NTFPs) and other native species is done by mobilizing users of local community forest. Bio-fencing and mesh wire fencing safeguard newly planted saplings from livestock and promote natural regeneration.

Long-term monitoring of the area:

RPN’s red panda monitor known as Forest Guardians conduct long-term monitoring of red panda populations and habitat. We use camera traps to record mammalian species (including red panda) in the restoration sites and forest corridors. Data from pre- restoration (wildlife in the area, images of landscape, data on spring sheds, landslides, income of local people, participation of marginalized groups, etc.) will be compared to post-restoration (survival rate, species diversity) which will allow us to measure the impact of the project.

Community Involvement and Livelihood Enhancement:

The local community is involved in every phase, from construction and establishing the Forest Conservation Nursery, to selection of nursery plants, to management and operation. Local people are also recruited to monitor the plantation sites and seasonally employed to manure, irrigate, and to create plastic ponds to conserve water for irrigation during dry seasons creating an opportunity for green jobs. Throughout the entire process, the livelihoods of community members are improved through capacity- and skill-building training as well as alternative revenue opportunities for nursery caretakers or “nursery guardians”.

Impacts on Biodiversity:

The reforestation efforts extend beyond red pandas, benefiting large number of other species as well. From the Critically Endangered Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla and White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis to the Endangered musk deer Moschus chrysogastor and Dhole Cuon alpinus, RPN's work reverberates throughout the ecosystem. Species such as the Common leopard Panthera pardus, snow leopard Panthera uncia, Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa, Himalayan black bear Ursus thibetanus, Himalayan serow Capricornis thar, Asiatic golden cat Catopuma temminckii, and many more experience habitat protection and restoration. With forest loss at such alarming rates in Nepal, restoration and reforestation activities are critical to the survival of these species.