Sustainable rangeland management to protect red panda and herder livelihoods (2016-2019)
Strategic Research Area
Improving Rural Livelihoods and Environments in Developing Countries
Funding
Darwin Initiative Fund, $540,000
Researchers/Investigators
Dr Joanne Millar, Professor Max Finlayson & Dr Karma Tenzing
Description
The research project aims to protect red panda habitat and livelihoods of yak herders in the high altitude rangelands of far eastern Bhutan. Partners include the Bhutan Departments of Livestock; Forests and Parks; World Wildlife Fund Bhutan; the Red Panda Network and Australian Landcare International.
Merak Village in Bhutan, Pic by J. Millar
The project will run for 3 years and focus on addressing severe land degradation, red panda habitat loss and herder wellbeing in the winter rangelands of Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) in remote eastern Bhutan (2,500 to 3,500m). Over-exploitation of resources and climate change are the main drivers of pasture decline, land erosion and forest fragmentation. SWS is rich in biodiversity and home to the globally threatened red panda. However, little is known about red panda status or habitat threats in this remote part of Bhutan.
Project activities include fencing off several large gullies, planting native vegetation, monitoring habitat change, recording red panda populations, pasture trials, livestock management, biogas trials, vegetable production and women's enterprises. Group management and capacity building will build the foundation for herders to drive the process using lessons learnt from the landcare approach in Australia.
Brokpa herder wearing traditional deer fur clothing Pic J. Millar
To follow the progress of the project follow our blog https://redpandabhutan.wordpress.com/
Outcomes
The expected outcome of this project is the restoration and protection of red panda habitat and winter grazing areas through sustainable livestock and forest management leading to improved herder livelihoods.
Outputs
Darwin Initiative Main Project Half Year Report October 2016
Contact
Dr Joanne Millar, ILWS adjunct senior researcher
Charles Sturt University, Albury-Wodonga
January 2017