News from the Field

Accident on the Front Line

20 February 2007 proved to be a dark moment for the Red Panda Project (RPP), as the safety of three colleagues was put on the line. Traveling in a Jeep to one of the red panda field sites in the Ilam district of Eastern Nepal, Naveen Mahato (shown), Sunil KC, and Pooja Pant were involved in a fatal accident with a bus. While the RPP staff members were not seriously injured, several fatalities were reported among the passengers in the other vehicle. The tragedy of the event remains heavy in the thoughts of those at the RPP.

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News from the Field

An Auspicious Spring for Punde Kundo

At this time in Nepal, a quiet feeling of positive activity enrobes project Punde Kundo while deciduous leaves make their maiden chase for the sun. The recently hired Forest Guardians are preparing to take the Red Panda Project (RPP) into action. As you may remember, Forest Guardians were hired to perform field research and community out-reach to spread the message about the importance of protecting the Red Panda to the villages of Eastern Nepal. Their path of stewardship now bears the first important footprints as training is underway.

A three-day training recently took place to educate Guardians about the natural history of the red panda and to give them a more complete understanding of the significance of their work. The Ilam District Forest Officer and Community Development Officer – equivalent to the Governor – were in attendance, lending the training an added degree of significance.

The RPP looks forward to the next phase of the project, as steady red panda monitoring ensures sound conservation. RPP Director Brian Williams is optimistic that the communities of the villages near these Red Panda sensitive areas will be forthright in declaring their forests protected. Speaking to this, Brian commented, “This is an agricultural area. These people know the importance of keeping their forests healthy.”

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