Endangered black pangolin found in Khotang

Khotang, Jan 4: The habitat of the black pangolin, which is on the critically endangered list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been found in Khotang. 

The Nature Conservation and Study Center (NCSC), in collaboration with local community forest users' committees, confirmed the presence of the black scaly anteaters in the community forests of two local levels in Khotang through about six months of camera trapping. 

The habitat of the animal has been confirmed through camera trapping in various community forests of Jalpa and Kharmi in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality and in Haunchur of Rawa Bensi Rural Municipality. 

According to the Nature Conservation and Study Center, 16 species of mammalian wildlife have been recorded living in the community forests of these three wards.

Videos and photographs of one critically endangered species, three vulnerable species, two species near threatened, and ten least concern species of mammals have been captured. Among them, the discovery of the black pangolin has been regarded as a significant achievement, according to Jeevan Rai, Executive Director of the Nature Conservation and Study Centre (NCSC).

It has been reported that a programme was conducted to enhance the capacity of communities involved in community forests to carry out camera trapping themselves for monitoring and conserving the biodiversity and wildlife in their areas. 

Thirteen camera traps were set up in various community forests in Jalpa-12, Kharmi-11 of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality and Haunchur-6 of Rawabensi Rural Municipality. (RSS)