On 7th and 8th April, 2019, Himalayan Nature in collaboration with Division Forest Office, Kavrepalanchowk has organized two days training workshop to strengthen Community Based Anti-Poaching Unit (CBAPU) members of Balthali, Kavrepalanchowk. Total of 19 participants (including 15 CBAPU members and 4 graduate students from Kathmandu university) attended the training.

An immediate objective of the training was to strengthen CBAPU members for the regular patrolling of their forest to reduce the illegal activities including smuggling of pangolin and other wildlife species and also to enhance their knowledge on importance of pangolin and other wildlife conservation.

Himalayan Nature’s Project Officer, Mr. Prabin Shrestha, welcomed all the participants and  presented a paper and video to showcase pangolin’s overview, importance, behavior, ecology, conservation status and threats. The video documentary has showcased the consequence of termite attack on a local school in Mirge VDC, Rasuwa as a result of dwindling number of pangolins.

Mr Hem Thapa  Officer from Sub-division Forest Office, Balthali Kavrepalanchowk emphasized on the importance of sustainable forest management practice in maintaining healthy forest and how its continued preservation could potentially lead to better livelihood opportunities. Mr thapa also added the importance of wildlife in maintaining the health of forest and role of the community in protecting the entire biodiversity and support the government of Nepal to combat illegal wildlife trade. Finally Mr Thapa has greatly appreciated the willingness of local community to contribute on conservation of forest, wildlife and the entire biodiversity of the area.   

Mr Nischal Shrestha, a researcher from Kathmandu university conveys his research team's work on pangolin research ongoing at Balthali village. Mr Shrestha presented his research on habitat preference by Chinese Pangolin. He has emphasized the ecosystem services provided by pangolin as a biological pest control- single pangolin consumes approx. 70 million ants and termites per annum. In the program, Himalayan Nature has distributed essential field kits to support the community based patrolling activity.