PAANCHTHAR, June 11: mLocal units of Panchthar have started conducting programs for creating awareness among the people regarding the conservation and protection of the endangered red panda.

Yangwarak Rural Municipality and Falelung Rural Municipality have urged the residents to conserve this rare creature. By identifying the habitat of red pandas, the rural municipalities have been conducting programs to encourage people to conserve the forest and wildlife. 

The rural municipalities have been conducting awareness programs in coordinating with Deepjyoti Youth Club (DYC). The authorities have been holding interactions with the locals, and other stakeholders regarding the programs. The local units have already completed sticking pamphlets and other promotional materials in various places.

Awareness programs have been successfully conducted in Barme, Chyangthapu, Beteni, Bimblyate, Chiwabhanjyang, Phalaicha, Ayom, and Tharpu of Yangwarak Rural Municipality. Similarly, the programs were also conducted in Ektin, Memeng, Sidin and Prangbung of Falelung Rural Municipality. Day by day, the red pandas which are usually found in the border areas have been pushed to the verge of extinction. DYC has been conducting red panda conservation program in coordination with the Red Panda Network. 

Padam Bhandari, a local of Barme, informed that red pandas were often seen in villages until a decade ago but now they are rarely seen. It is important to protect forests, construct infrastructures and curb smuggling to protect these rare species, he argues. 

With the participation of the community, there will be regular inspection of pandas in their specified habitats. Various groups will be formed in schools and villages for the protection campaign. Arrangement of favorable habitat and tourism promotion are some of the things the rural municipalities will do from now onward to save the red pandas from extinction.

 
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