Project Leader Directory
Jeevan Rai
Small Carnivores Conservation in Eastern Nepal ⋅ Nepal
The first ever conservation and research project focused solely on small carnivores in eastern Nepal.
Age: 29 ⋅ www.fonnepal.org
ljeevan9211@gmail.com
Small carnivores are integral part of our ecosystem. However, in Nepal they are highly neglected in terms of conservation initiatives and research. Our project has initiated the first ever conservation and research focused solely on small carnivores in eastern Nepal. The goal of our project is to update the status of small carnivores in eastern Nepal and bring community to the frontline of conservation. We are taking two approaches to conserve small carnivores. The first one is conducting scientifically sound research on small carnivores in eastern Nepal. We want our research to be statistically strong, use cutting edge technology, and be useful for wildlife managers in a practical sense. Our second approach is to bring the community forward as leaders of conservation. To make this possible, our first course of action is to make them realise the importance of small carnivores. We are doing this with conservation camps, informal discussions, posters, and booklets. For the first phase of conservation camps, we are targeting students. Our previous experience has shown us that students are a very effective way to spread conservation messages. Students tell their parents, relatives and friends which creates a chain of reaction.
We look forward to a future where communities are leading the conservation of biodiversity in Nepal. We are working with the community to find the right mix of conservation and utilization of natural resources that can work in favor of both wildlife and human benefit.
The goal of our project is to update the status of small carnivores in eastern Nepal and bring community to the frontline of conservation.
Our needs are based on the research and conservation activities we do for our project. For our research component, we need:
- Camera traps
- GoPro
- GPS
- Funding.
For our conservation activities, we need:
- Photographs of small carnivores
- Ideas/experiences of conservation
- A powerful portable projector
- Conservation games/materials
- Funding
Also it would be great if you could share insights on making camera traps theft proof and follow us on social media.
We succeeded in capturing Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in our camera traps in Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale area. Locals and organizations working there had suspected that Red Pandas were extinct in the area. Similarly, capturing Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii) in our camera trap was another success as it was the second photographic record of the species from the country.
A short article on distribution updates of Red Panda and Asiatic Golden Cat was published in the first issue of The Himalayan Naturalist. Similarly, we have published a booklet on small carnivores of Tinjure Milke Jaljale. You can download the booklet in the link here.
