Red Panda Network (RPN) continues to make incredible strides in conservation, as highlighted in their recent Impact Report. A standout feature is the week-long workshop attended by 13 Restoration Guardians, part of which took place at Nepal’s Living Mountain Lab—a hub for community-driven environmental innovation and education.
Restoration Guardians: Champions of Conservation
The Restoration Guardians programme empowers local community members to take an active role in restoring and protecting red panda habitats. These individuals, drawn from red panda range areas, are trained in sustainable forestry, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring.
The workshop brought together 13 dedicated Guardians for hands-on training and knowledge exchange. Highlights included:
- Practical Restoration Techniques: Guardians learned how to plant native species that support red pandas and promote biodiversity.
- Ecosystem Monitoring: Participants honed their skills in habitat monitoring, including tracking red panda movement and identifying threats like deforestation and grazing.
- Community Engagement Strategies: Guardians explored ways to involve their local communities in conservation efforts, fostering long-term stewardship.
“The exposure visit equipped the Restoration Stewards with practical skills and innovative technologies, empowering them to implement transformative solutions for ecosystem restoration and community development in Jaubari, Ilam,” said Sunil Bantawa Rai, Executive Director of Deep Jyoti Youth Club.
Living Mountain Lab: A Hub of Learning
The Living Mountain Lab is situated 17 kilometres south of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. The 30-hectare forest site, founded 30 years ago, is dedicated to nature-based solutions. The Guardians had the opportunity to:
- Tour demonstration plots showcasing best practices in forest restoration.
- Learn innovative approaches to sustainable land use.
- Share success stories from their own communities, inspiring collaboration and creativity.
The Ripple Effect
Workshops like this are about more than skills—they build a community of conservation champions. The Restoration Guardians return to their villages equipped not only with knowledge but also with the motivation to inspire others. The long-term impact of this programme extends beyond red panda conservation to include forest health, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
Indigenous Communities and Environmental Stewardship
Land Ownership and Biodiversity
Indigenous peoples manage 25% of the world’s land area, which contains 80% of the Earth’s remaining biodiversity (United Nations Development Programme, UNDP).
Forest Conservation
In the Amazon, deforestation rates in Indigenous-managed territories are 50% lower compared to other areas (World Resources Institute).
Carbon Storage
Indigenous and community-managed forests contain at least 293 billion metric tons of carbon, highlighting their critical role in climate regulation (Rights and Resources Initiative, RRI).
Cultural Knowledge
Indigenous communities possess traditional ecological knowledge that has been developed over thousands of years, offering sustainable practices that align with natural cycles.
Supporting Red Panda Network’s Reforestation Programme
As part of our commitment to conservation, we are proud to support Red Panda Network’s reforestation programme in Ilam, Nepal.
To learn more or support these impactful initiatives, visit Red Panda Network.
Image: RPN Restoration Guardians
