Abstract
Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla is an elusive mammal whose maximum potential habitat within Nepal is outside of Protected Areas (PAs) where the local communities can play a significant role in the conservation of this threatened species. To understand the perception of local people towards pangolin conservation in Mandandeupur-12 of Kavrepalanchowk district, this study was carried out between October 2019 and January 2020. Using semi-structured questionnaire surveys, we interviewed 95 Community Forest Users (CFUs) of Baskharka Community Forest (BCF) who live in villages adjacent to the Community Forest. Chi-square test of independence was used to test association between the perceptions of local people towards pangolin conservation. The majority of the people were aware of the presence of Chinese Pangolin and had seen it in the Community Forests (CF). Almost all respondents were in favour of pangolin conservation and their perception did not differ with gender, age, education, occupation, and religion. The frequent and unregulated collection of forest products like fodder and fuelwood by the local communities could significantly disturb the habitat of ants and termites, threatening the survival of pangolins. Forest fires and construction activities were also identified as key threats to the pangolin. The initiation of community-based pangolin conservation activities in the study area seemed successful in imparting conservation knowledge to the local people. However, anthropogenic activities (collection of forest products, forest fires, selective logging, and road construction) in the study area are threats to pangolin. This study recommends the wider publicity of such conservation projects and their extension to other non-PAs for safeguarding the future of the pangolin.References
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