Empowered women like Pema Pradhan and the Jaubari Restoration Committee are leading the way for red panda habitat reforestation efforts in Nepal.
Habitat restoration is key to red panda survival in Nepal, where habitat loss and fragmentation threaten wildlife in this global biodiversity hotspot. In Jaubari, large areas of barren land isolate red panda habitats, preventing the species' movement and genetic flow. The women-led Jaubari Restoration Committee is at the forefront of ecosystem restoration in the Kangchenjunga Landscape and firmly aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030).
Jaubari is on the Nepal-India border in Sandakpur Rural Municipality, Ilam district, Nepal. Red Panda Network (RPN) and the Jubari Restoration Committee are restoring this area to create a forest corridor that connects protected areas in Nepal with Singalila National Park in India.
This initiative in Jaubari is part of our landscape-level restoration campaign, 'Plant a Red Panda Home.’ This campaign is alleviating the adverse effects of deforestation in Nepal to create a continuous, community-protected forest corridor where red pandas and other threatened wildlife can thrive.
Restoration in Action
We plant trees, install fences to protect newly planted seedlings, purchase private lands in critical habitat areas, and enhance the local economy through green jobs.
The Jaubari Restoration Committee is doing all this and more, restoring red panda habitats in Nepal through active tree planting and assisted natural regeneration. Since 2015, 209,047 native seedlings have been planted in Jaubari. After planting the seedlings, the Committee remains committed to the successful regeneration of the landscape, taking on post-planting activities like weeding, mulching, and manuring.
Sustainable planning and development of restoration activities is a priority for the Jaubari Restoration Committee. They organize quarterly meetings to coordinate essential tasks like fencing the restoration site, constructing water conservation ponds, and scheduling post-planting care. The Committee also oversees the hiring and performance of Nursery Caretakers within the restoration site.
Honoring Habitat Restoration on International Mountain Day
We are proud to share that the Plant A Red Panda Home campaign has been awarded an Honorable Mention by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) on International Mountain Day 2024.
On December 11th, 2024, Mrs. Pema Pradhan, Chair of the Jaubari Restoration Committee, on behalf of the Restoration Committee, received the Honorary Mention Prize at an event organized by ICIMOD on the International Mountain Day event titled “Mountain Solutions: United Pathways for Biodiversity and a Climate-Resilient Future."
Pema shared:
"I am deeply honored to receive this honorable mention as one of the restoration heroes. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our women-led Jaubari Restoration Committee to restoring red panda habitats and protecting ecosystems. Thank you for valuing the grassroots efforts that bring life back to our forests. This honorable mention motivates our community to continue restoring red panda habitats with passion and determination. It's my first time in Kathmandu, and receiving this award makes it unforgettable".
The Transformative Power of Restoration
Through the integration of scientific methodologies and indigenous knowledge, this campaign has helped local women become proficient restoration stewards, creating green jobs and promoting gender equality and financial independence for women. The success and recognition of the Plant a Red Panda Home campaign are made even greater by the tangible impact the campaign has on local people. By providing alternative income and supporting sustainable livelihood opportunities, this initiative empowers the local communities to live in harmony with their ecosystem.
RPN has been working alongside the mountain communities in Nepal for fifteen years and has witnessed the transformative power of women leading restoration and conservation. The involvement of local women is critical for the long-term success of community-based red panda conservation programs.
Ang Phuri Sherpa, RPN's Executive Director, was honored that Pema and this campaign were recognized for their successes. He reflected: “Our accomplishment in Jaubari is a testament to the dedication and resilience of the mountain communities, who have worked tirelessly under challenging conditions with a collective goal to restore degraded red panda habitats. However, our work in Jaubari needs more attention as it is a crucial site for establishing a biological corridor to connect the unprotected forests of Nepal to Singalila National Park in India. This award celebrates the work ethic and dedication of the Jaubari Restoration Committee and reflects the collective spirit of all those working towards the well-being of our environment”.
We are grateful to have this initiative honored by ICIMOD and are determined to continue our restoration work in Nepal. Our goal is to reach 1 million trees planted in Nepal by 2025! Can you help us reach this goal? You can support the Plant a Red Panda Home campaign and help us make a difference.
Other Bytes
Pema Gyamtso, Director General, ICIMOD: “Today is our day, mountain day. Nepal is providing needed leadership and continuing to address mountain challenges. ICIMOD is always committed to support mountain livelihoods and address the mountain challenges.
Hon'ble Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister for Forests and Environment: Nepal have contributed a lot in terms of biodiversity conservation. Our mountains are prone to climate change because of our own activities. We all should work together to protect our mountain ecosystem.