VOLUME 01 •ISSUE 12 • MARCH 2019
50 PAGES
INR 100
SPECIAL RESEARCH EDITION- 1
Red Panda: Jewels of Himalayas
About Red Panda’s Life and their Secrets.
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Interview with Megh Roy Choudhury.
Research by Devesh Kumar Currently Studying and Working on Red Panda.
EXPLORE WILD INDIA │ FEBRUARY 2019
Introducing Editor DEVESH KUMAR
Principal Advisor K.BIHARI, AMRAWATI
Design DEVESH KUMAR
Photography KEDAR NATH TIMSINA , SUMANT P, MEGH ROY CHOUDHURY, SUVRAT SEHGAL, AMEYA MARATHE, RUSHI DAVE, DEVANSH AGRAWAL, ADITYA MANGROLIA .
Consultant RADHIKA YADAV
Printing L.B ENTERPRISES G-24 VILLAGE GAZIPUR DELHI 110096
Published by YOUNG GLOBAL PUBLICATIONS B-4 VANDHANA BUILDING 11, TOLSTOY MARG NEW DELHI 110001
Side Image MEGH ROY CHOUDHURY EXPLORE WILD INDIA ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ Published and Printed By Mr.Harinath Rai on behalf of Mr. Devesh Kumar. Printed at L.B Enterprises G-24 Village Gazipur Delhi 110096 Published From Young Global Publications B-4 Basement Vandhana Building, 11, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi 110001 & Editor Mr. Devesh Kumar.
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PHOTO: BIDISHA SINHA
Explore Sikkim www.explorewildindia.app
Welcome to the Land of Wildlife and Nature Issued By Explore Wild India APP | Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary
वनजीव भारत
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Contributing Towards Conservation Author
Devesh Kumar is an Editor and Founder of Explore Wild India Magazine which is registered by Govt of India under RNI. He is a Wildlife Researcher too currently working on Red Panda Research Study under Explore Wild India Research Programme. He is studying on Red Panda last One Year.
Photographer
Megh Roy Choudhury is from Kolkata and is professionally a teacher. She started her tryst with nature seven years back. She firmly believes that the photographic documentation of these beauties will create public interest in nature conservation.
Featuring
Monica Saravanan is from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She's doing her PhD in civil engineering at the National University of Singapore. She's an engineer by profession, but artist by her passion. She feels that art is an efficient way to create awareness on conservation of animals.
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This Edition is dedicated to My Grand Father – Late Shri Baiju Nath and My Dadaji Shri Ram Lakhan . - Devesh Kumar Krishnavanshi (Mahui Bujurg – Gorakhpur)
© 2019 Contents are Written and Copyright by Devesh Kumar | EXPLORE WILD INDIA APP Special Thanks – Gaurav Nawathey | Megh Roy Choudhury | Swagata Sarkar
Our Sincere Thanks to - Monica Saravanan
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ADVT
आप सिक्किम में हैं आप रे ड पाांडा जोन में हैं You are in Sikkim you are in Red Panda Zone FOR SIKKIM WILDLIFE INFORMATION VISIT: http://www.sikkimforest.gov.in
Location: Sikkim Image: Rajesh Dhungel AN INTATIVE BY EXPLORE WILD INDIA MAGAZINE SIKKIM APP
"Saving the Pride of Himalayas" by educating people around the country.
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8 Artwork by Swagata Sarkar
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Letter For Firefox
W
hen you see these cute little red pandas, what do you see? It's cuteness,
that innocence, the wonders nature can do when left uninterrupted! Does it occur to you that these little red pandas are getting extinct!! Probably we might be the last generation who had seen them in person. And somehow somewhere in some way we are also responsible for it. Yes, we are. Even I didn't know that until yesterday. When I learned that Explore Wild India is looking for art works of Red Panda to spread the awareness, I decided to make one that reflects the innocence of these animals. While I was working on the water color art of the red panda, all I could think was how could we have done this to them. To leave them in the list of endangered. They deserve a place on the earth as much as we do. Let's help them survive.
- Monica Saravanan
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“A Few Words” -
SUMANT PINNAMANENI
The cute red fur ball in the North Eastern Himalaya is like the Red Bindi of the Himalayan range of forests. After seeing lots poaching and forest destruction these species are still surviving but are going down. My sightings of these Jewel in 2016 was amazing. My first sighting of the Elusive Red panda was of a male who lost an Eye. After struggling for a night without sleep because of high altitude sickness in Sandakphu and low oxygen, the word Panda in my ears was like sweet irrespective of my heavy gear I rushed towards the guide who took us to the place we saw him for the first time eating bamboo leaves, he wasn’t imitated with our presence. He was within himself moved from one branch to another for next two hours or so. These species are no less than a jewel.
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IMAGE: RUSHI DAVE
Contents
On the Cover: Red Panda Photo by Megh Roy Choudhury in Singalila National Park.
Storyteller
Photo feature
16: Conservation Time: Devesh Kumar
43: Indian Hog Deer: Sohail R
20: The Last Hope: Devesh Kumar
45: Red Panda Sighting – Mahesh S
People
Species Focus
35: Interview with: Megh Roy Choudhury
47: Gibbon Sanctuary: Abhilash Kar
41: Dachigam National Park – Devesh Kumar
Online Discussion: Saving the Pride of Himalayas
Artwork by: Pratibha Yadav and Monica Saravanan
Back Page Cover: Monica Saravanan
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EXPLORE WILD INDIA । Editor Notes
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Editor’s Note
Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) Listed as Endangered Species in the list of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Their population is estimated less than 10,000 mature individuals .It is declared as “State Animal of Sikkim“. The “Time has now come to save these beautiful creatures and also need protection to save them”. I personally like Red Panda very much. They are truly jewels of Himalayas. They are pride of Northeast and India. I feel really awesome that my upcoming Book coming on Red Panda “which will launch soon.”
(EDITOR ) DEVESH KUMAR - (Wildlife Researcher / Editor Explore Wild India® / EXPLORE WILD INDIA APP®) ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ Disclaimer: All images are Copyright by their respective Owners. Unauthorized Use and / or Duplication of these images and Material Strictly Prohibited. Explore Wild India is not responsible for any error or mistakes in Articles , Pictures , Names & Spell which is submitted by Photographers and users, Explore Wild India is not responsible for advertisements, and user/ person shall bear all risks associated with the use of such content. All Images are Copyright with Particular Issue and Particular Volume. Price may be variable according to Edition changes and Print Edition. Follow Devesh at Twitter: @Deveshdy | Instagram: thedeveshkumar
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Focusing On Wildlife
Marbled Cat - Pardofelis marmorata (Martin 1837) Photo: Kedar Nath Timsina | Text: Devesh Kumar Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary | Conservation status: Vulnerable
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he Marbled Cat is species of Cat or Felidae family found in North East states of India. People get
confused them with clouded Leopards which also found in that region. Their tails are furry in nature. Their ears are rounded in shape and have a very long tail i.e. as long as like cat’s head and body. They are found in moist and mixed deciduous-evergreen tropical forest. Best Seen at – Arunachal Pradesh (According to Me) Status – Schedule – 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Habitat Ecology They are mostly found in evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forest. They probably feed on rodents, reptiles, birds, squirrels and other small prey.
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Conservation T!me
Glimpse of Himalayas | IUCN status: Endangered| Singalila NP IMAGE : SHUBHAM SINGH BAGHEL
In my opionion Conservation of Red Panda is as important as conservation of tigers and Asiatic Lions ”- DEVESH KUMAR “
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ed Panda (Ailurus fulgens) Listed as Endangered Species in the list of IUCN
(International Union for Conservation of Nature). Their population is estimated less than 10,000 mature individuals. It is declared as “State Animal of Sikkim “. The First published name of Red Panda was credited by French Scientist Frederic Cuvier in 1825. Panda actually the named derived from Nepalese Word “ponya” (Bamboo Eater). According to Research and study - Red panda is a unique carnivore that has adapted to (herbivore) found mostly in the sub Himalayan states of North East. Preferred altitudinal range of 2300m - 4300m. Red Panda Diet – Bamboo (Most Like), Roots, acorns, lichen and fruits etc. “In India Sikkim, Darjeeling and Arunachal Pradesh where red panda are most found”. It also known as Red cat bear. It continues decline due to habitat loss - fragmentation and poaching. 16
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SUVRAT SEHGAL
Facts Points Found
In
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Except in Meghalaya’s (Tropical forest) Red Pandas are mostly found in Subtropical and Temperate forest in high altitude of Himalayas. POPULATION -
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Decreasing
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Study Notes
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Food- Ecology According to Nepalese Word Ponya they are called Bamboo Eater – Mostly 85 percent consume source of energy from bamboo Leaves and shoots (Low Protein / High Cellulose). They even sometimes feed on eggs and acorns.
Red pandas spend mostly their time resting in a tree. They are mostly active in early morning or in late afternoon even they are nocturnal (crepuscular) too.
In India, You can spot Red Panda in mainly Four State – Sikkim (State Animal), West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and in Meghalaya. According to Locale People you can easily spot them in Singalila National Park. You can also see them in captive of Sikkim (Himalayan Zoo) as well as in Darjeeling Zoo Now (Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park). Red Panda found at the eastern of Himalayas along with Brahmaputra River – According to me you can spot Red Panda in Pangolakha Wild Life Sanctuary too. Both in situ and ex situ conservation are followed to save them. Some of the major zoos where they are live in captive- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park- have successful example of captive breeding programs of Red Pandas in India.
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Red Panda: Biology IMAGE: AMEYA MARATHE
TEXT BY - DEVESH KUMAR | WILDLIFE RESEARCHER
T
he Red Panda Ailurus fulgens which
ranges really extends from Nepal to provinces of China in the east and later in the Himalayas of India to Northeast. They are truly jewels of Himalayas and pride of our Nation. Few People know that - the Indian Govt has already issued a postage stamp on Red Panda to encourage about red panda in that particular region. 20
Whenever people think about red panda the state which comes in their minds is only “Sikkim”. Many people think for Red Panda sightings are limited only in Singalila Range. It’s true that you can easily spot them in Singalila Range in comparison to Kangchenjunga or in East Sikkim. Red Panda generally live in the jungles of deciduous and coniferous. They generally feed on thickets of Bamboo Leaves. Their activities change with temperature and feeding habits. EXPLORE WILD INDIA │MARCH 2019
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Reproduction The Reproduction process of Red Panda are very slowly, They mark their territory with urine scent. Their pellets are green in color. Their mating takes place on the ground. The Red Panda is also known as the Lesser Panda, Red Bear Cat and Firefox. The Females make their nest in hollow cavity. Young ones are born- blind; they open their eyes around 19d (days) after birth. Males don’t take interest in their offspring. Red Panda make their nest in Pristine oak tree. Mother spending their time with newly born 70 to 90 percent in whole day. The youngs get their maturity at age of 1.5 years .
Threats >Their population are countinously decline due to deforestation, habitat degradation (loss), & fragmentation. >Loss of their nesting trees ( Forests of Pristine oak ). >Cutting of Bamboo plants on a large scale as well as movement of feral dogs to their territory. >Sometimes they are killed by Clouded Leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) and Snow leopards (Uncia uncia) . >Movement of people and formation of villages create loss of their habitat. >Climate change is also of the major issue to affect their population. Sometimes, They get trapped. >They are hunted by locale people for their skin. Sometimes they are hunted illegally. They are listed in Appendix -1 of the CITES . Sikkim’s Jungle is the home of the Red Panda where they are found in wild. Status – Schedule – 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Red Panda – Taxonomic Enigma Red Panda belongs to the family of Ailuridae. Earlier they were placed into Procyonidae family due to similarities in teeth and tail even skull also. After that they got their place in Ursidae family due to DNA similarities after that they got their unique own family – Ailuridae. Red Panda have two subspecies – A fulgens and A.styani (Thomas 1902).
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IMAGE: AMEYA MARATHE
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Red Panda – (A fulgens) also found in Meghalaya (in High Rainfall Area). Around 60 – 80 percent sightings of Red Panda takes place in a bamboo or oak tree. The Mother Red Panda give birth in hollow of a oak tree. A few people Know that Red Panda is also known as Lesser Panda is living fossils on this earth. “People and Wildlife photographers always choose Singalila for Red Panda Sightings, but I wanted to know the status and distribution of Red Panda in Sikkim State. In My Book which is based on red panda which will out soon – I highlighted the Distribution of Red Panda in Sikkim State. As Red Panda is state animal of Sikkim.”
◼ DEVESH KUMAR ( WILDLIFE RESEARCHER)
In Sikkim You can spot them in Kanchenjunga National Park, Pangolakha Wild Life Sanctuary, Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. When I talk to Devansh Agrawal he told me that he found Red Panda near Lachen – After this in my research I found Lachen is very close to Kanchenjunga National Park and nearly at height of 2580m. So I found he had taken photos of Red Panda around Kanchenjunga national park only.
I always think why there is Less chances of sightings Red Panda in KNP as comparsion to Singalila ? In Research I found & after talking with my Friend Rajdeep Mitra I found KNP has vast area and dense jungle as we know Red Panda are solitary in nature and also there are less tourism faciliites as comparsion to Singalila, Where you can visit Habre Nest But In Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary there is high chances that you can spot them. More You can Read it in My Book
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©2019 Designed by Devesh Kumar on Behalf of EWI - APP
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Taxonomy and Native Countries KINGDOM – ANIMALIA | PHYLUM- CHORDATA | CLASS – MAMMALIA ORDER- CARNIVORA| FAMILY- AILURIDAE | GENUS - AILURUS
Red Panda found at the eastern of Himalayas along with Brahmaputra River –consider being a physical natural barrier of two subspecies of red panda. A. f. styani to the east and f. fulgens found in the west of Nepal –and Northeastern India. They are called Sak Nam in Leopcha - Bhalu Biralo (bear-cat) and Habre in Nepal and also called as Nglva Ponva by locale people of Nepal and Sikkim.
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Photo by Devansh Agrawal in Kanchenjunga National Park Near Lachen Red Pandas are solitary in nature, Cubs are generally tiny and vulnearble even sometimes they are hunted by locale people and some mammals .You can hardly spot them in groups (Except in mating Season). They are approximately found in 22 PAs of north east India ( In Protected Zone). My Research which is going to publish in my book - Red Panda are mostly found at height of 2580m – 4000m in Kanchenjunga National Park near Lachen And Tshoka.
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A Walk on the Gold !
IMAGE: RASHI CHAKRAYAT
My father has been taking me to Jim Corbett National Park since childhood and this is how my interest in Wildlife Photography grew. There is something magical in the forest of Corbett. You'll definitely love the safari ride even if you don't get to see any wild animal there and no matter how many times you've visited the park you will still want to go back and explore. Moments like these add glory to the day. LOCATION –NANITAL | FAMOUS FOR – PROJECT TIGER
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Hide and Seek – Sikkim Diaries -
Rajdeep Mitra
L
iving in the Northern part of West Bengal has made it easier for me for the last few years to
travel and explore different parts of Sikkim and it's wildlife. Back in September 2017 I was in one of my expeditions in North Sikkim, due to some safety reasons no tourists were allowed to go pass Lachen, so on the very first day after reaching Lachen we decided to explore the outskirts very carefully. It was a cloudy day and around 3 o'clock afternoon it started raining, we were on the road inside the car looking for some birds. Suddenly few meters away a small troop of Himalayan langurs came to my sight, I was super excited as I had read about this species before but never had the chance to witness them with my own eyes. There were about 7 langurs and one particular langur was a very curious individual , it came down from the top of the rock kept hidden for some time but had it's eyes fixed on our car, slowly it came out in the open and I clicked this shot. They disappeared after some time, since then I've been to North Sikkim more than 5 times but never managed to see them again. Residential and commercial development, hunting, trapping and other human disturbances alongside many other threats to these mammals have made their population take a sharp fall. Its high time to protect their habitat, by protecting their habitat we will not only protect the langurs but also many other mammals, birds and other species.
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Golden Lan They Belongs to family Cercopithecidae found in the small region of Assam near Brahmaputra River Valley . EASILY SEEN – MANAS NATIONAL PARK | TEXT : DEVESH KUMAR – IMAGE : ROHAN MONDAL 31
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Nature • Wildlife • Conservation • Discover ADVT Wildlife SOS was established in 1995 by a small group of individuals inspired to start a movement and make lasting change to protect and conserve India’s natural heritage, forest and wildlife wealth. Today, the organization has evolved to actively work towards protecting Indian wildlife, conserving habitat, studying biodiversity, conducting research and creating alternative and sustainable livelihoods for erstwhile poacher communities or those communities that depend on wildlife for sustenance.
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Jungle! Inbox
During my recent visit to Kaziranga National Park I was busy shooting the Great One Horned Rhino and suddenly we heard deer alarm calls from the bushes on our right. The alarm calls went on for almost 10-15 minutes and we were very hopeful to spot one. But tiger sighting in Kaziranga are nowhere near to jungles like Ranthambore, Tadoba or Bandhavgarh. So after around 30 minutes of patiently waiting at one spot we decided to move on and look for other wildlife around us. Just 10 meters away from the spot where we were anticipating the tiger to come out, we saw this owlet sitting on this branch and sunlight was directly hitting it on its face. Instantly I had this frame in mind and without waiting for even a second (as owlets are very shy), I quietly picked up my camera and clicked. Fortunately I could complete the shot as immediately after clicking the owlet flew away into the dense bushes. As a wildlife photographer one should keep his/her eyes and mind open to all the subjects around and not just focus on big mammals like Tiger or Rhino. ANSHUL SIKRI
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The Firefox of North-East Issued by Explore Wild India APP to raise awareness regarding wildlife Conservation.
PHOTO: SHUBHAM SINGH BAGHEL
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World Trending TALK WITH MEGH ROY CHOUDHURY EXPLORE WILD INDIA APP SOCIETY GROUP MEDIA
Megh Roy Choudhury talks about herself & wildlife, Recently Megh Roy Choudhury has been Interviewed By Explore Wild India‘s Editor Devesh Kumar.
MEGH ROY CHOUDHURY
1. What is your opinion about Wildlife Research and Conservation? My opinion about Wildlife Research and Conservation --According to me Conserving Mother Nature is the cardinal concern in the modern world. If we are
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losing in the natural resources then we are definitely paving the way for our own destruction. A perfect balance should be maintained to save our ecology for our own betterment. For that proper research is also a vital requirement. To ensure the protection of the wildlife from the verge of extinction should be our main concern. Wildlife research plays a pivotal role in saving the wildlife and nature, making the world a better place to breathe in. Conserve or perish are the key words. 2. How do you see Singalila National Park as a Red Panda zone? Red Panda is one species everybody who goes to Eastern Himalayas would dream to have a sighting off. Singalila National Park is located at the Singalila ridge in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. This is a high altitude park spanning between 7,900ft to about 12,000ft covering an area of 78.6 square kilometers. It was declared a National Park a national park in 1992.Singalila range starts shortly after Manebhanjan and stretches through Tonglu, Tumling, Gairibas and all the way up to Sandakphu and beyond to Phalut. To the north of the park is Sikkim and to its west is Nepal. If you ask my opinion, Singalila is definitely a better option as the Red Panda zone. The sightings and photographing of this elusive animal has increased a lot over the years. So the potentials of Singalila NP for carrying on the research and also to conserve this endangered species are undoubtedly quite good.
3. Tell us some facts about Red Panda? Facts about Red PandaFew salient factors need to be taken into account before embarking on a journey to sight this beautiful animal. Red Panda is seldom seen in open and has been very rarely photographed in the wild. It is a solitary and predominantly nocturnal animal and it is not so active during the day and the best time to sight would be April to June during the breeding season. Red Panda is listed as Endangered because its population has declined by 50% over the last three generations and this decline is projected to continue, and probably intensify, in the next three generations. The overall forest loss rate at appropriate altitudes in the species’ range is suspected to be reaching Near Threatened status, but Red Panda populations are suspected to be declining much faster, reflecting a battery of direct threats, this species’ fragmented present range, and poor survival in fragmented areas. Threats:
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A] Red Panda diet is 98% bamboo. These plants show mass flowering followed by die off. Red Pandas will not readily find new feeding grounds in a highly fragmented landscape and are exposed to other threats when crossing unsuitable habitat. These bamboos do not easily re-establish after flowering in areas of environmental degradation and deforestation, which are now widespread across the species’ range.
B] Red Pandas are highly susceptible to canine distemper (even developing the disease after vaccination with domestic dog vaccine), which is lethal to them. As more people, particularly herders, encroach Red Panda habitat, contact between domestic dogs (and their excreta) and Red Pandas increases. Unless all dogs (including feral ones) in Red Panda habitat are vaccinated against this disease the chance that it will enter and spread in the wild Red Panda population with catastrophic consequences are high. C] Red Panda has specific habitat requirements for forest type, altitude, slope gradient and aspect, proximity to water courses, precipitation and presence of tree stumps. The gentle slopes and rich bamboo understory of Red Panda habitat make it also a prime choice for herders with their dogs. Cattle also prefer these more gentle slopes, so trample bamboo, which is also collected extensively by herdsmen and used for fodder. In addition tree stumps are often collected by local villagers for firewood. D] Hunting for trade seems to be increasing. Deforestation and road building are easing access to Red Panda habitat. There are reports of poachers capturing Red Pandas in Nepal and Myanmar to satisfy the Chinese demand for the species as wild meat, for medicine and for skins.
E] The human population in the Eastern Himalayas is growing at a steady rate. With this growth more people are moving into Red Panda habitat for their livelihoods, thereby exacerbating the above threats. The Red Panda is covered under CITES Appendix I, and Schedule-I of the (Indian Wildlife Protection) Act 1972, the highest protection possible for a species in India. It is also legally protected in Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Nepal. There are 20 protected areas in India that have known of possible populations of this species, yet these protected areas cover only about one-third of the total potential habitat for this species. 37
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MEGH ROY CHOUDHURY
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Protection of this species is more or less adequate in the protected areas of India, due more to their remoteness and difficulty of terrain rather than actual enforcement of laws. The following conservation strategies are recommendedExpansion and strengthening of the protected area network, prevention of illegal felling, control of Jhum cultivation and overgrazing, regulation of tourism, public awareness of threatened status of this species, and enforcement of existing legal protections. The proposed creation of the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung Red Panda Protected Forest in Nepal would connect the tri-national Kanchenjunga Conservation Area with India’s Barsey Rhododendron Garden and Singhalila National Park, creating an uninterrupted stretch of protected land extending for 11,500 km2. This area is critical not only to the red panda but also to other endangered species such as the clouded leopard and leopard cat, as well as an exceptionally rich avifaunal diversity. As the Red Panda breeds and lives well in captivity, many zoos worldwide are making sincere efforts in raising these magnificent animals. A multipronged effort in conserving the Red Panda can be a real success story. 4. KNP or Singalila which one you will select to photograph Red Panda? I will select Singalila NP for photographing my much coveted Red Panda. 5. How do you see Sikkim as a wildlife state? Sikkim is one of the best wildlife states I have ever seen. The government is very proactive in conserving Mother Nature and the state's Wildlife.
References: a] An overview of the status and conservation of the red panda Ailurus fulgens in India, with reference to its global status. Anwaruddin Choudhury. Oryx. Volume 35, Issue 3, pages 250–259, July 2001. b] IUCN Red list of threatened species/ Red Panda. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/ details/714/0] c] Animal Diversity Web [http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ailurus_fulgens d] Tourism in Red Panda Habitats of Singhalila and Neora Valley National Parks, Darjeeling Himalayas, India – An Assessment for Appropriate Strategies. Dr Sunita Pradhan.
Contents | Images © Megh Roy Choudhury Presented by Explore Wild India Magazine. Note – All Contents are provided by Presented Author in interview. Explore Wild India Magazine is not responsible for copyright contents published in our magazine.
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Wildlife in Art
Artwork by Pratibha Yadav on theme of “The Jungle Book“
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Dachigam National Park Dachigam National Park is one of the beautiful National Park of Asia and India. From my study I came across - Dachigam National Park is one of India ‘s beautiful National Park from which many people are unaware- located just 22 km from Srinagar. Text and Image: Devesh Kumar | Gaurav Shivadekar
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© EWI-APP
D
achigam National Park is located just 22 kilometers from Capital Srinagar of Jammu and
Kashmir. The Total Area of this park is around 141 sq km. In 1981 it is declared as National Park. The Name Dachigam means Ten Villages. It was founded by Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. Firstly created for supply drinking water to the city. It is located on the hills of Western Himalayas. (1680m – 4267m) The park has coniferous forest consists of broad leaf species. The Park has fauna like Himalayan weasel, Himalayan black bear, Leopard cat, Musk deer etc. Established: In 1981 Nearest town: Near Srinagar 41
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IMAGE: SOHAIL INZAMAN | EXPLORE WILD INDIA APP
It was one fine morning in Orang. I woke upset everything and was ready for my morning safari. Unfortunately due to some practical issue it got cancelled. I had nothing to do for the rest of the day until evening safari. So I thought why not to catch sight of the forest around the Satsimolu forest Inspection Bungalow in the core of the said park where I was providing with accommodation. I took my camera and went walking (didn’t went too far, which is illicit to do so) searching for wildlife. While walking by the track I sense some movements in the bush. I hold myself back and calmly and very gently moved towards it. Then I tried to hide myself behind the trees, not to being noticed. Patiently waiting for the hog deer to come little closer. I hold my position motionless was ready with the frame and took this image with the surprise smile on its face. SPECIES- INDIAN HOG DEER. LOCATION- RAJIV GANDHI ORANG NATIONAL PARK, ASSAM | 1 – (IWPA)
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THE WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT 1972 वन्य जीव (िांरक्षण) अधिननयम, 1972 PHOTO: RUSHI DAVE ISSUED BY EXPLORE WILD INDIA APP SOCIETY IN PUBLIC INTEREST. . Together We are Saving Red Panda
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Red Panda Sighting -
Mahesh S
Kaiakatta is a tiny hamlet, up in the mountains of Singalila national park. Though it lies on the India-Nepal border, we are free to move across due to the friendly guards and people. We stayed in a small food stall which mainly makes money by selling food to the trekkers. When we returned that day, the news was already spread in the village and everyone asked me with a smile "panda decka? kush hoon?" (Did you see the Panda? Are you happy? In Hindi). The happiness and pride on my face was evident. I was overwhelmed.
Today, the locals and the guides take care of the red pandas as their family. An old native said that he used to see lot of red pandas in the forest and even in neighborhood when he was a kid. At that time, he never knew that its name is red panda. And he didn't expect that it would become the pride of Singalila forest and people would visit their place to sight them. The red panda disappeared in the past due to hunting, poaching and habitat loss. Immense care has been taken by the forest departments of neighboring countries to protect this IUCN declared endangered species. However, the guides told that the poaching is still happening - cruelty that has to be curbed at any cost. We can only hope that the habitat continues to remain and the red pandas continue spending time curled up in the trees.
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Stump tailed macaque portrait from the North -East | Gibbon Sanctuary 47
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“Time has now come to Save these Beautiful Creatures and also Need Protection to Save them “ -
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Devesh Kumar ( Wildlife Researcher / Editor Explore Wild India® / EWI APP Media Group® )
PHOTO: ADITYA MANGROLIA // KAIAKATTA – SINGALILA
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