Different schools in Ilam district have incorporated the contents about red panda in the course book as a part of their attempts to conserve the endangered species. The schools that are located near the habitats of red panda have commenced the classes about red panda to aware the students about the world's endangered species.
Red pandas are available in uplands of Ilam but face extinction threat for lack of appropriate conservation drive.
Uplands Project and Red Panda Network, Kathmandu, have provided financial assistance to three schools for launching the classes on red panda conservation.
Coordinator of the Project Dhan Bahadur Khamdak said classes on red panda are commenced to conserve the red panda by making the students well-informed about the endangered animal. The students of grade 6 and 7 are taught the topics.
Besides red panda, the curriculum includes ecosystem, forest and wildlife and the related topics. The classes on red panda have been started in Rastriya Basic Secondary School, Bhanudaya Secondary School and Chandrodaya Secondary School of Sandakpur rural municipality. Likewise, preparations are ongoing to run classes in four more schools by this year.
According to the Red Panda Network, the total number of red panda stands around 30 to 35 in Ilam district. But, the life of the endangered species is at risk due to poor awareness among the general public.
