In Nepal, the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) has been sparsely studied, although its range covers a wide area. The present study was carried out in the previously untapped Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) situated in central Nepal with an aim to explore current distributional status and identify key habitat use. Extensive field surveys conducted in 10 red panda range districts were used to estimate species distribution by presence-absence occupancy modeling and to predict distribution by presence-only modeling. The presence of red pandas was recorded in five districts: Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Myagdi, Baglung and Dhading. The predictive distribution model indicated that 1,904.44 km2 of potential red panda habitat is available in CHAL with the protected area covering nearly 41% of the total habitat. The habitat suitability analysis based on the probability of occurrence showed only 16.58% (A = 315.81 km2) of the total potential habitat is highly suitable. Red Panda occupancy was estimated to be around 0.0667, indicating nearly 7% (218 km2) of the total habitat is occupied with an average detection probability of 0.4482±0.377. Based on the habitat use analysis, altogether eight variables including elevation, slope, aspect, proximity to water sources, bamboo abundance, height, cover, and seasonal precipitation were observed to have significant roles in the distribution of red pandas. In addition, 25 tree species were documented from red panda sign plots out of 165 species recorded in the survey area. Most common was Betula utilis followed by Rhododendron spp. and Abies spectabilis. The extirpation of red pandas in previously reported areas indicates a need for immediate action for the long-term conservation of this species in CHAL.

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The Himalayan red panda is an endangered mammal endemic to Eastern Himalayan and South Western China. Data deficiency often hinders understanding of their spatial distribution and habitat use, which is critical for species conservation planning. We used sign surveys covering the entire potential red panda habitat over 22,453 km2 along the mid-hills and high mountains encompassing six conservation complexes in Nepal. To estimate red panda distribution using an occupancy framework, we walked 1,451 km along 446 sampled grid cells out of 4,631 grid cells in the wet season of 2016. We used single-species, single-season models to make inferences regarding covariates influencing detection and occupancy. We estimated the probability of detection and occupancy based on model-averaging techniques and drew predictive maps showing site-specific occupancy estimates. We observed red panda in 213 grid cells and found covariates such as elevation, distance to water sources, and bamboo cover influencing the occupancy. Red panda detection probability p^(SE) estimated at 0.70 (0.02). We estimated red panda site occupancy (sampled grid cells) and landscape occupancy (across the potential habitat) Ψ^(SE) at 0.48 (0.01) and 0.40 (0.02) respectively. The predictive map shows a site-specific variation in the spatial distribution of this arboreal species along the priority red panda conservation complexes. Data on their spatial distribution may serve as a baseline for future studies and are expected to aid in species conservation planning in priority conservation complexes.

Land use and land cover practices play a crucial role in balancing ecosystems and maintaining water supply services, including watersheds. The main objective of the current research is to assess the land cover change (LCC) and its specific influence on water runoff in the catchment and to study specific catchment characteristics such as LCCs through the years, soil properties, and recommendations for potential vegetation. The research area is located in two main districts of Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL), in four watersheds. Soil organic carbon was measured using the dry combustion method, the land use classification was done using Geographic Information System (GIS) software and potential vegetation analysis was based on several criteria. The complex relationship between factors was evaluated to account for the effect of separate factors to determine the outcomes in the basin. The Lund–Potsdam–Jena model was used for the purpose of characterisation of the study. The clear trend of change was not observed; however, there are obvious connections between various parameters as slope, aspect, soil properties and water runoff occurring in the catchment. According to the results obtained, land use planning could consider the relationship within the catchment and factors such as soil type, peoples’ interests, etc., which are important within the catchment.

This study analyzes the temporal trend of the Kahphuche glacier lake from 1990 to 2016 using multi-temporal satellite imagery to explore the glaciological causes of lake expansion. The Kahphuche glacial lake, has increased perceptibly in size over the last one and half decades, and it continues to expand. This study reveals that the glacial lake is not likely to burst in the near future as it is dammed by a 348 m wide moraine dam. However, the probability of a GLOF may occur if there is an avalanche or rock-fall, or seismic disturbance.