A rare red panda has been spotted in the community forests of Pathheka, Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-10. A municipal team, which had entered the forest to capture photos and videos of the rare panda, encountered the rare species in Merung Community Forest.
The team, led by Ward Chairperson Madhav Rai of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi-6, entered the forest on March 14 in preparation for the upcoming Rare Panda and Thar Festival in April. On the fourth day of their search, they successfully located the panda at an altitude of 2,781 meters. The rare panda, identified as a two-and-a-half-year-old male, was found resting on a tree. It is estimated that the forest may be home to around five red pandas.
According to Red Panda caretaker Pushpalal Giri, red pandas are classified into five types based on their size and weight, and all five types could potentially be found in the forest. The region’s bamboo groves, particularly young bamboo shoots, serve as an ideal habitat for rare pandas, making sightings more common in such areas.
The municipal team, along with forest users’ group members, has been actively researching red panda conservation. Previous camera trap recordings and local sightings confirm the presence of red pandas in upper forested regions, including Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality. Community forest groups, in collaboration with various conservation projects, have been running red panda conservation campaigns in Khotang. Locals involved in these initiatives have installed hoarding boards to raise awareness and even offer cash rewards for capturing rare panda photographs.
The upcoming Red Panda and Thar Festival is expected to boost the success of the “Mundum Trail Visit Year 2025,” which aims to promote tourism in Khotang and Bhojpur. As part of the campaign, various festivals such as the Honey Hunting and Gothstay Festival in Kepilasgadhi, the Sakela Festival in Sakela Rural Municipality, and the Ultra Marathon and Mountain Cycling event in Bhojpur are being planned to attract visitors and support long-term tourism development.
