The Chinese Pangolins are a critically endangered species, which are estimated to have declined by over 90 percent in the past 21 years. Moreover, pangolins in the present world are considered as most trafficked mammal in the world and among all of them; Chinese Pangolin may be the most threatened. Habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal trade are the primary threats to the species. The status of Chinese Pangolins is greatly affected by habitat destruction in countries like Nepal. There is a significant increase in poaching of pangolins throughout their range countries. While international trafficking is rising as a major threat to Chinese Pangolins, nationally, Eastern Nepal and some places of Central Nepal like Bhaktapur and Kavrepalanchok districts are considered more vulnerable areas to pangolins trafficking. Similarly, they are reported to be under pressure from habitat destruction, especially by insecticide spraying in Taiwan.

Recent study shows that grazing of domestic livestock within the habitat, encroachment of forest land by unscientific cultivation, intentional forest fires and mining of stone negatively affect the habitat of pangolins and their number. Excessive grazing of livestock, especially trampling by large, hoofed livestock, has recorded the detrimental effects on the habitat of Chinese Pangolins and has caused a decrease in numbers. This project intended to maximize the willingness of local communities to engage in habitat restoration by involving in reforestation and improving their understanding of conservation at the end of this project.

The project aims to gather information on the distribution and abundance of Chinese Pangolin in Panauti Municipality-11, Balthali, Sindhupalchok, through an extensive field survey and use this information to initiate appropriate conservation intervention. This project will help local farmers to develop local stewardship in pangolin and its habitat conservation. Also, the capacities of citizen scientists and public awareness will be enhanced from this work. This project proposed a set of measures to conserve the remaining pangolins in the community forest of Panauti Municipality-11, Balthali, Kavrepalanchok district of Central Nepal. Our activities will be focused on mapping pangolin abundance and distribution hotspots through the survey of pangolin habitats and habitat restoration for the conservation of Chinese Pangolins through the active involvement of local communities and setting up sensitization programs for target groups to safeguard and/or protect the elusive pangolin and its habitats in the long run.

The specific objectives of the projects are;

• Study distribution and population abundance of Chinese Pangolin in community forests of Panauti Municipality-11, Balthali, Kavrepalanchok district of Central Nepal.
• Encourage and mobilize community members and Community Forest Users Groups (CFUGs) on habitat restoration through reforestation in community forests.
• Use of survey data on threats and population abundance to conduct education and awareness activities.

The project is funded by The Rufford Foundation.