Community conservation in Nepal – opportunities and challenges for pangolin conservation

Khatiwada, Ambika Pd.; Suwal, Tulshi Laxmi; Wright, Wendy; Roe, Dilys; Kaspal, Prativa; Thapa, Sanjan; Paudel, Kumar

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815507-3.00025-3

Cited by 10 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Our results are similar to the studies made by Ghimire et al (2020) and Katuwal et al (2015) where they reported that youth, especially those unemployed, were involved in pangolin hunting for monetary reasons. We suggest two key strategies of the many used to combat illegal wildlife poaching; first the development of reward and sanction mechanism through legally agreed rules and regulations and second, the introduction of strong and sustained awareness programs, prioritizing and implementing income generating activities or skill development trainings to facilitate alternative livelihood options (Khatiwada et al 2020). The effective conduction of skill development training and income-generating activities like mobile repair, house wiring, and plumbing is likely to make J TT the marginalized populations self-reliant and less likely to engage in poaching and illicit activities (Bhatta et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing illegal trade networks of two species of pangolins through a questionnaire survey in Nepal

et al. 2023

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Pangolins are among the most extensively traded taxa in southeastern Asia mainly due to the perceived medicinal value of their scales and other body parts, putting them at risk of extinction, however, little is known about their trade status in Nepal. The purpose of the study was to assess the status of pangolin trade in Makwanpur district of Nepal. Semi-structured interview with household (n = 90), key informant survey (n = 15), Four focus group discussion at each study site was conducted. Seizure data (2015–2019) were gathered from the law enforcement agencies to identify and analyze the major trade routes. The majority of the respondents (63%) were well aware of the protection status of pangolins. Further, our study found that historically local peoples used pangolin body parts in making rings, bags, jackets, and musical instruments but at present they stopped it. Pangolin traders were typically middle-aged men and unemployed youth. Majority of the hunting was found to be opportunistic but when pangolins were caught, they were generally sold for additional income. Currently, the seizure data has shown the declining trend of pangolin trade within the Makwanpur district. Community forest user groups and community based anti-poaching units are working actively for the conservation and promulgation of threatened pangolins in the Makwanpur district which had long served as a major trade route to China. Thus, we advocate strengthening border security and the formation of community-based anti-poaching units, followed by mobilization, anti-poaching trainings, security assurance, and incentives for worthy conservation results in pangolin-rich communities. Further, we recommend sustained conservation awareness programs, in addition to alternative livelihood opportunities, for the long-term conservation of pangolins and their habitat.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing illegal trade networks of two species of pangolins through a questionnaire survey in Nepal

et al. 2023

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“…Katuwal et al (2015) report that 16% of respondents in eastern Nepal believe that pangolin meat can cure gastrointestinal disorders, heart problems, backache, and pain during pregnancy. In addition to its medicinal value, superstitious beliefs are also an important factor in most regions of Nepal because encountering pangolins is believed to bring bad luck (Thapa et al, 2014;Katuwal et al, 2015;Ghimire et al, 2020;Khatiwada et al, 2020).…”

Section: Local People's Knowledge and Attitude To Pangolinmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is found in 25 districts of Nepal, the majority of which are outside protected areas, including Gorkha District in central Nepal (Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, 2018;Sharma et al, 2020b). The extent of the area of pangolin habitat outside protected areas has raised concerns about anthropogenic threats to this species survival (Khatiwada et al, 2020). The scarcity of information on the ecology and distribution of the Chinese pangolin impedes evidence-based conservation of this species in Nepal (Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, 2018; Khatiwada et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The extent of the area of pangolin habitat outside protected areas has raised concerns about anthropogenic threats to this species survival (Khatiwada et al, 2020). The scarcity of information on the ecology and distribution of the Chinese pangolin impedes evidence-based conservation of this species in Nepal (Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, 2018; Khatiwada et al, 2020). There have been many attempts in a range of countries to quantify the illegal hunting and trade in the Chinese pangolin (Katuwal et al, 2015;Nijman et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2017;Ullmann et al, 2019;Sharma et al, 2020a;Bashyal et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat preference and distribution of Chinese pangolin and people’s attitude to its conservation in Gorkha District, Nepal

et al. 2023

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The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) has experienced a rapid population decline throughout its distribution. In Nepal, it mostly occurs outside protected areas; therefore, habitat degradation due to anthropogenic activities is one of the major threats to its survival. However, the scarcity of information on the ecology and distribution of pangolins impedes evidence-based conservation of this species in Nepal. Its habitat preferences and distribution and the factors influencing people’s attitude to its conservation were studied in Gorkha District in central Nepal. Thirteen transects, each 0.5 km in length, were used for recording burrows indicating the presence of pangolin. In total, 124 burrows were recorded, of which 38 were new and 86 were old, which indicated a clumped distribution. Based on the highest percentage frequency of occurrence, most burrows occurred between 650 and 800 m a.s.l., in areas with a south-facing aspect, with moderate canopy cover, in forest, red soil and gentle terrain. The logistic regression model revealed that habitat type, soil type, crown cover, terrain, and distance to water were the most important factors affecting pangolin presence. In total, 87 households and 9 key informants were interviewed using questionnaires to determine the people’s knowledge of pangolins and attitude to their conservation. More than 50% of the respondents had seen pangolin in the areas studied and had a general knowledge of their habitat and benefits. However, most of them were unaware that it was illegal to hunt pangolins and were involved in opportunistic hunting for meat consumption. Pangolins were mostly recorded in forest at altitudes 650–800 m a.s.l., with moderate canopy cover, red soil, and close to a source of water; habitat, soil, canopy cover, terrain, and distance to water were statistically significantly associated with the presence of pangolin burrows. This study revealed that an increase in public awareness (mainly through education) would help to increase the likelihood of pangolin survival. These results can also serve as guidelines for protecting pangolin habitats for use by local authorities.

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“…There is an urgent need to equip frontline communities with the knowledge and capacity to help individuals that are confiscated and rescued. Nepal's local communities are very receptive and positive towards pangolin conservation (Khatiwada et al, 2020). To add to this receptiveness, the science of proper rescue and rehabilitation techniques and enhanced capacity could help save many pangolins in Nepal's rural areas.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Rescue and rehabilitation capacity needed to save live pangolins seized from illegal wildlife trade in Nepal

Paudel

Bashyal²,

Pokheral

et al. 2022

Animal Conservation

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Community conservation in Nepal – opportunities and challenges for pangolin conservation

Cited by 10 publications

References 7 publications

Assessing illegal trade networks of two species of pangolins through a questionnaire survey in Nepal

Assessing illegal trade networks of two species of pangolins through a questionnaire survey in Nepal

Habitat preference and distribution of Chinese pangolin and people’s attitude to its conservation in Gorkha District, Nepal

Rescue and rehabilitation capacity needed to save live pangolins seized from illegal wildlife trade in Nepal

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