For a study on the ecology, behaviour and conservation of red panda in the sacred himalaya landscape of nepal
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For A STUDY ON THE ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOUR AND CONSERVATION OF RED PANDA IN THE SACRED HIMALAYA LANDSCAPE OF NEPAL
Red panda Ailurus fulgens (Cuvier, 1825) is one of the poorly known small-bodied mammalian carnivores which are adapted to the herbivore diet. Globally, it is found in mountainous regions of India, China, Bhutan, Burma, Laos including Nepal (Glatston 1994). In Nepal, it is distributed to a narrow attitudinal range of 1500 to 4000 m in the Himalaya and is known to occur in the seven protected areas (PA) i.e. Kangchenjungha Conservation Area (KCA), Makalu Barun National Park and Buffer Zone (MBNP BZ), Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNP BZ), Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone (LNP BZ), Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), Dhorpatn Hunting Reserve (DHR) and Rara National Park and Buffer Zone (RNP BZ) ( BPP 1995, Yonzon et al. 1997). Till date, few studies have been undertaken to acquire information on the ecology and behaviour of red panda in Nepal (Yonzon 1989), India (Pradhan 1998) and in China (Reid et al 1991, Johnson et al 1988, Wei et al. 1999). The scant information which is currently available reveals that red pandas are solitary animals, widely but patchily distributed and their natural diet is limited essentially to bamboo. The accurate population of red panda is unknown, however, the global population is estimated to be 9,200 – 11,000 individuals (Choudhary 2001; Wei et al. 1999). Recent population estimates in China show that their numbers to decrease by as much as 40% over the last 50 years (Wei et al. 1998). In Nepal, Yonzon et al. (1997) estimated a total 314 individuals on the basis of habitat suitability index. This estimation, however, needs to be updated using the standardized procedures. A mortality rate of 83% for cubs and 47% for adults were reported from Nepal (Yonzon 1989) and as such, they are increasingly threatened with extinction throughout its range (Wei and Hu, 1993, Glatston 1994). Among many threats habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are serious concern because of the ever increasing anthropogenic disturbances (Yonzon and Hunter 1991 a and b, Pradhan et al. 2001, Wei et al. 1991). Red pandas are extremely vulnerable to these disturbances especially due to their highly specialized niche. In an attempt to conserve Red panda in their natural habitats, the Government of Nepal enlisted the Red panda in the schedule 1 of the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act (1973) as a protected species. Moreover, they are given endangered status by IUCN and subsequently, CITIES included it in the Appendix I thereby restricting the trade of red panda and its parts. In order to materialize these policies, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Nepal in collaboration with WWF Nepal, has recently drafted an action plan for red panda conservation. Apart from this, WWF Nepal envisages the landscape level conservation of Red panda and thus has been implementing various activities in the Eastern Himalaya under the framework of Sacred Himalayan Landscape (SHL). Covering 28,680 sq km of area and extending from Langtang National Park in central Nepal to the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, the SHL comprise more than two-third of the Nepal’s remaining habitat of red panda in the eastern Nepal. Moreover, it represents elevations ranging from 139m in India to 8,848m in Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. The high topographic complexity and related climatic variability give rise to significant ecological gradients, and thus, high ecosystem diversity over a relatively small area. Many of the habitats forming this complex mosaic are unique to this mountain system. On the basis of the recommendations of recently drafted action plan for Red panda conservation, WWF Nepal initiated this project in order to pilot the implementation of science based management actions in the field.
To undertake in-depth study on ecology and conservation of red panda in the Sacred Himalayan Landscape (in Eastern Himalayan Ecoregion Complex), Nepal
i. Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone ii. Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone iii. Makalu Barun National Park and Buffer Zone iv. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and adjoining areas
i. Taplejung ii. Panchthar iii. Ilam
v. Solukhumbu vi. Dolkha
(To be finalized by the consultant and WWF Nepal)
The field expenses advance, not exceeding up to 25% of total amount will be disbursed upon submission of the detail work plan including and request for advance. Other field expenses advance, not exceeding up to 25% of total amount will be disbursed after completion of deliverables 2.0 and 3.0. listed above. Remaining 50% will be disbursed after the completion of work.
(To be finalized by the consultant and WWF Nepal) ANNEX Habitat categories
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