Publication Date
Spring 2023
Abstract
Pangolins are subject to constant trafficking in Asia and increasingly in Africa for their meat and scales. Very little research is done on this species due to its nocturnal, burrowing, and elusive nature. The larger the size of an animal is, the better it is known to the people and vice versa. Hence all these eight species of pangolins despite being under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list with the four Asian species declared endangered or critically endangered, are still illegally abused and used for ulterior motives due to a lack of awareness among the general community.
The very reason I chose this topic is to check on the status of the pangolins itself which are protected in these two National Parks; Chitwan National Parks which extends over four districts: Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Parsa and Makwanpur, and Parsa National Park which extends up to three districts: Parsa, Bara, and Makwanpur). I was able to visit these two Government parks, interviewed around 25 locals in total living in Sauraha, Chitwan, and Amlekhganj, Bara, and also was able to interview 2-3 guides working under the Chitwan Parks but unfortunately, none from Parsa National Park.
Many locals, at least from among the people I interviewed, seem not to know about the pangolins. Lack of knowledge, and awareness of the pangolins seem to be one of the very reasons why these species are on the verge of extinction. With the continuation of poaching and trafficking of pangolins by humans for meat and traditional medicinal purposes, these species are bound to disappear soon within the next 10-20 years, according to some online research papers.
Hence, this research will talk about the status of the pangolins, especially the Chinese and the Indian pangolins mainly in the context of my field area along with ongoing issues related to Pangolins in general, in Nepal and discuss possible conservation measures to protect the remaining population of these species.
Disciplines
Animal Studies | Asian Studies | Biodiversity | Natural Resources and Conservation | Zoology
Recommended Citation
Lama, Tsogyal Wangmo, "Status of Pangolins: A case study on "The most trafficked mammal in the world" in Central-South of Nepal" (2023). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 3736.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/3736
Included in
Animal Studies Commons, Asian Studies Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Zoology Commons
Program Name
Nepal: Tibetan and Himalayan Peoples