First published on 08/29/2015, and last updated on 03/29/2018
By: Kamal Medhi, Landscape Coordinator for Western Arunachal Landscape Conservation Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature- India
The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), popularly known as Fire Cat, is an elusive and rare species that is found across the Eastern Himalayas. It is widely distributed in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India which is estimated to contain roughly 23,000 sq km of prime habitat. Most of these Red Panda habitats fall in areas that are categorized as Unclassed State Forest or USF. USF covers two-thirds of Arunachal Pradesh and has been traditionally under the control of local communities and governed by customary laws. The local communities have always depended on these forests to meet their basic food and energy requirements. No formal mechanisms exist at the community level for the management of these forests and therefore it is necessary to plan a conservation strategy in collaboration with the local communities, for long-term conservation of the wildlife and forests. With this perspective, the World Wide Fund for Nature- India (WWF-India) approached local communities in Western Arunachal Pradesh to set aside a certain proportion of their rich community forests as Community Conserved Areas (CCA).
Work was first initiated in West Kameng district in 2004-05 followed by work with communities in the Pangchen valley in Tawang district in 2007. The two CCAs in Pangchen valley, Pangchen Lumpo Muchat CCA and Pangchen Lakhar CCA, protect and manage around 20,000 ha. of forests. These forests support a viable population of Red Pandas. A study by WWF-India reveals a healthy abundance of the species throughout the higher areas of the valley (with an average sign encounter rate of 0.63/ha). Increased interactions with the species over the last few years have helped the local communities understand the importance of Red Pandas and the need for their conservation. Both the CCAs, through their management committees, have identified potential Red Panda habitats in their areas, for improved protection and conservation action. They have even formed a joint management committee comprising members from both the CCAs. Similarly, awareness has also emerged among the local youth who now steward conservation action and research in the valley. Recently, three youths set up camps to study Red Pandas and encountered five Red Pandas in the space of three days. These actions highlight both the presence of a healthy population of Red Pandas in the area and the crucial role that local communities can play in conserving them.
Recognition of the critical role that local communities can play in securing USF is likely to help secure populations of not just the Red Panda but several other threatened species such as the Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata), Himalayan-Black bear (Ursus thibetanus), Serow (Capricornis), Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) and Red Goral (Naemorhedus baileyi) that are also found in the region. The CCAs also support one of the wintering sites of Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) in the state. The State Board of Wildlife, in a presentation made on the work of the CCAs, appreciated their role and has asked that WWF-India assist the state government in promoting CCAs across the state.
