Red panda

    The red panda lives only in the bamboo forest of the Himalayas, which makes it very vulnerable when this forest is threatened by deforestation. The Kolmården Foundation supports the Red Panda Network, which works on a broad front to preserve both the red panda and the forest where it lives.

    Threats to the red panda include poaching for its fur and other body parts used in traditional Asian medicine, the illegal pet trade, and stray dogs that hunt and kill the pandas and spread disease. The biggest threat, however, concerns the destruction of habitats in the form of deforestation and bamboo felling.

    That is why the Kolmården Foundation has been supporting the Red Panda Network since 2014, which works to preserve both the bamboo forest and the highly endangered red panda.

    Red panda network creates a safe biological corridor

    An important part of Red Panda Network's work is about saving the bamboo forest from deforestation and thereby preserving and restoring the red panda's natural habitats. In eastern Nepal, in the so-called Ilar district, there is an area that is classified as particularly important as it functions as a biological corridor between the pandas in Nepal and the pandas in India.

    Unfortunately, human expansion has threatened this corridor, and it has been difficult for the pandas to move between these two areas safely. The Red Panda Network has purchased nine hectares of land that will be restored and converted into a safe forest corridor for the red pandas.

    Red panda Network works with local forest guards

    Red Panda Network employs forest guards, so-called Forest Guardians, who are representatives from the local population. The forest rangers work to control the population of red pandas and guard the forest, as well as the important work of educating the rest of the local population on how important it is to they take care of the forest - both for the red panda and for their sake. Part of the support from the Kolmården Foundation goes to sponsoring the employment of female forest rangers.

    Red Panda Network helps local people preserve the forest - with the help of better ovens

    The Red Panda Network has also ensured that local families have stoves installed in their homes. The stoves benefit both the people, the forest and the animals that live there by reducing the wood consumption, and thus the amount of smoke.

    Other efforts

    In addition, Red Panda Network carries out the following efforts within the framework of the project:

    • Provides training and assistance with the sale of local handicrafts, which provides increased income and empowers women.
    • Establishes nurseries for bamboo and medicinal plants, providing

    jobs and sustainable alternatives to forest products.

    • Distributes seeds and greenhouses and provides training to improve premises

    cultivation and increase family food production and income.

    • Offers local accommodation to tourists and educates families in ecotourism and nature guiding, increasing women's influence.
    • Provides training in making biobriquettes from dried biomass, which reduces wood use and air pollution, as well as provides income from sales.