Since 2015 WWF India partners with Sony India to support community-based conservation programmes for the Red Panda and the snow leopard in Arunachal Pradesh. The state in the northeast of India has the highest concentration of biodiversity in the whole country and is a significant habitat of the Red Panda.
The conservation project focuses on the western Arunachal landscape. At three so called Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) the initiative is working on getting data on the Red Panda population, their habitat requirements and the threats they face (like stray dogs and poaching).
Premiere for new documentary
The new short film “Communities and Conservation: Working Hand in Hand” documents the partnership with local community members and how empowered local communities, wildlife monitoring and community-based tourism can make a difference.
Important local communities
The involvement of the local communities is crucial for the conservation efforts. 82% of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by forests and more than 60% of these forests are owned by local communities.
“We aim to achieve sustainability and this project is not an exeption. We are committed to the cause and will continue to work with WWF India in aiding resources so that this able initiative continues with more fervour and dedication”, says Sanjay Bhatnagar, National Head, Corporate Human Resources, Sony India.
And for Ravi Singh, CEO of WWF India, initiatives like these “encourage that community member retain their traditional rights over the forest and also conserve the unique wildlife they support.”
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WWF India has all the information about the partnership.
Note: We will update this story when the short documentary film “Communities and Conservation: Working Hand in Hand” is online!