7 1 J#` J N#8 ; 8SJ 1 SJ SN S= #8 N G 8 =1#8 #8 NN NN#8 ... › files › 2nd Quarterly Report.pdf · local stakeholders like Community Forestry User Group (CFUG), women's group

ASSESSING DISTRIBUTION , HABITAT , ANDTHREATS TO CHINESE PANGOLIN IN

KAMALA RIVER BASIN , CENTRALNEPAL

Second quarterly report

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SUBMITTED TO :

Coordination with the stakeholdersin the fieldAfter consulting and securing approvals from the concernedstakeholders like Divisional Forest Office (DFO) Sindhuli, Udayapur,Siraha, and Dhanusha during the first quarter, we took our researchforward with the on-field coordination. The coordination with otherlocal stakeholders like Community Forestry User Group (CFUG), women's group and other groups helped us identify the prominenthabitat hotspot for Pangolins. Furthermore, Greenhood Nepal alsoprovided us with constant support for technically and logistically asassured throughout the period.

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QUARTERLY UPDATES :

The team completed various activities in the second quarter as per theproposed plan:

ACTIVITIES COMPLETED :

Two teams were formed in order to collect the data on distribution,habitat and threats to Chinese pangolin from three districtsaltogether. One team was assigned for Sindhuli and Siraha districtswhile next was for Udayapur District. However, the data collection was completed only in two districts,Sindhuli and Udaypur. The data collection on Pangolin and theirburrows could not be completed in Siraha as the DFO Siraha andCFUGs and locals of Siraha mentioned there is no record of presenceof Pangolin in Siraha. Thus, under consultation with the team andthe experts, the data collection field was limited to two districts andthe rest part of data collection from Siraha will be done in allremaining three districts. Specially from Sindhuli district the field data collected was fromKamalamai Janmasthan Community Forest, Bhiman PannesiCommunity Forest, Mangalpur Community Forests. Similarly, thedata in Udayapur district was collected from Nepaltar CF, GauribariCF, Ghumti CF, Patnahari CF and also from private forests. Themethodologies for the data collection was followed as per ourproposal. The community forests were selected based on experts andstakeholder consultations. Meanwhile, the data collection from theDhanusha is planned to be completed on the third quarter.

Data collection from field

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The third workshop of the project was conducted in Dudhauli,Sindhuli instead of Siraha due to reported absence of Pangolin inSiraha. The workshop was conducted on 20th November 2019. Theworkshop included 38 participants from different CFUG usergroups, teachers, students and other local people concerned aboutpangolin conservation. The assistant forest officer of SindhuliDistrict and other representative from Dudhauli Sub-Division ForestOffice was also present in the program. This workshop also followed the module of first two workshops atSindhuli and Udayapur districts. It was a participatory workshopwhere participants were shared about the status of the pangolin inthe local, national as well as international level. The conservationimportance and benefits along the local and global threats were alsoshared in the session. In addition, the legal concern associated withthis species was also highlighted. The participants also shared theirown stories and knowledge on Pangolin and also about manyecological benefits of this species.

Workshop in Sindhuli

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Questionnaire survey

Along with data collection from the field, the questionnaire surveywas also completed by the two teams in Sindhuli and Udaypurdistricts in this period. The total number of 20 questionnaire surveywas conducted in each district. Plus, Key Informant Interview werealso carried out with selected people. The participants were selectedpurposively based on their knowledge and experience with Pangolin.Local people, CFUG user groups, relevant local experts and certaingovernment officials were the major interviewee of questionnairesurvey. Their feedbacks, suggestion and pangolin relevant storiesand information were also incorporated.

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CHALLENGESPost - monsoon roads were causing hindrance during our travel.

The absence of Pangolin inSiraha compelled us toreframe research andworkshop plans. The uncompleted part ofSiraha district will becovered in next three districtof Kamalamai River basin.

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The further plan in the third quarter is to celebrate Pangolin Day(February 15, 2020). The team is planning to celebrate this day inUdayapur with sensitization programs and other form of activitieslike art competition etc. The Udayapur district has been proposed asit has been identified as one of the prime habitats and the awarenesslevel among the local people seems to be limited based on our fieldobservation. Our research finding and the stake of the localgovernment, DFOs, CFUGs and the local people for long term andthe effective conservation of this critically endangered species willalso be discussed in the event.

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Celebration of World Pangolin Day

FURTHER PLANSPlans for third quarter:

Data collection and workshop inDhanushaThe field data collection and questionnaire survey of Dhanusha isalso planned to be completed in the third quarter, immediately afterthe completion of Pangolin Day. The final workshop of the researchproject is also planned to be completed in Dhanusha district.

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