In a remarkable initiative to promote wildlife conservation, I joined forces with the Red Panda Network and WWF India on a project focused on documenting the life of red pandas in Nepal and the border regions of eastern Nepal and northern India. This project was designed not only to capture the behaviors and habitats of these elusive creatures but also to raise awareness among local communities about the importance of protecting endangered species and learning to coexist with them.

Working closely with the Red Panda Network, we engaged in fieldwork within the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) corridor in Nepal, an area renowned for its dense red panda population. Our efforts included tracking and monitoring red pandas, collecting vital ecological data, and restoring degraded habitats. The Red Panda Network's community-based conservation model was pivotal, involving local villagers as Forest Guardians who help protect the habitat while benefiting from sustainable livelihood programs.

Simultaneously, we partnered with WWF India, which has been a significant force in red panda conservation across the Indian states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal. WWF's initiatives included extensive community outreach programs aimed at reducing human impact on red panda habitats. By creating alternative income sources for locals, such as ecotourism and the production of fuel briquettes, WWF helped mitigate the need for deforestation and poaching. Throughout this project, our primary objective was to enhance local understanding of endangered species and promote sustainable practices that ensure the survival of red pandas.

Through educational workshops, community meetings, and hands-on conservation activities, we empowered local communities to become active participants in wildlife conservation, fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and the red pandas that share their environment.