The Chinese pangolin predominantly inhabits areas outside protected areas in Nepal, where human-influenced activities, including livestock grazing, forest fires, and the collection of forest resources, are prevalent. Udayapur district in eastern Nepal is considered one of the species’ strongholds. Despite prior burrow-based surveys and some occasional sightings, comprehensive data on species’ ecology remain insufficient in the region. The region lies between two important protected areas: Parsa National Park and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, is a part of Chure Environment Conservation Area. Yet, increasing human pressures have fragmented its habitats. The Chure forests of southern Udayapur are affected by unsustainable harvesting and frequent forest fires. In the northern Mahabharat Range, infrastructure development such as Siddhicharan and Madan Bhandari highways has further fragmented forests and increased threats to the wildlife including pangolins.

This proposed project therefore aims to contribute to the conservation of Chinese pangolins through four main actions;

1) Developing Local Pangolin Guardians (LPGs) and training them for long-term monitoring of pangolin habitats.

2) Restoring and protecting pangolin habitats through community-led plantation and fire line development.

3) Reducing threats through door-to door community awareness campaign and school outreach program.

4) Documenting ecological data of species through camera trap surveys.

Thus, through these combined efforts, the project aims to ensure the immediate protection of pangolins while strengthening local conservation capacity, ultimately supporting the species’ long-term survival in Eastern Nepal.