Nearly two-third of red pandas’ habitats are unprotected in Nepal. They are patchily distributed in the human-dominated forest landscape. Red pandas are habitat specialist because of their complete reliance on young leaves and shoots of bamboo (83%) and water sources for survival. However, their habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate due to livestock grazing, haphazard collection of forest resources and infrastructure development (roads).
Afforestation does not help to expand their habitat if forests are devoid of bamboos and small water sources. This project aims to conserve red pandas’ habitats and restore corridor by restoring their critical habitat requirements (e.g., bamboo and water) in active participation of local peoples. We will work with community forest user groups (CFUG) of the project area, a forest-based institution, mandated to conservation and utilization of forest surrounding villages.