A two-day Red Panda and Tahr Festival was organised in Khotang as part of the Mundum Trail tourism programme, bringing wildlife conservation and the region’s cultural traditions into the same public event.
The programme aimed to build awareness of the red panda and Himalayan tahr, two distinctive wild animals native to Nepal whose survival depends on healthy mountain habitats and careful conservation.
Wildlife, culture and local products
The festival took place at Hurlung on the Diktel–Halesi road section of the Mid-Hill Highway. Alongside its conservation theme, the event included local food, traditional clothing, ways of life and products representing the customs of communities in the region.
Photographs and films offered visitors another way to learn about red pandas and Himalayan tahr. The format connected environmental awareness with the people, landscapes and livelihoods found along the trail.
Conservation depends on habitat
Festivals can introduce wildlife to a wider audience, but lasting protection also requires informed visitors, intact forests and responsible activity along mountain routes.
- Red pandas rely on temperate forest habitat with suitable food and cover.
- Himalayan tahr inhabit steep mountain terrain and alpine environments.
- Community awareness can support responsible tourism and habitat care.
A route linked to the Mundum Trail
The programme also introduced the Mundum Trail Red Panda–Tahr Route, beginning at Hurlung on the Diktel–Halesi road section. The route was presented as part of the wider effort to draw attention to the area’s natural and cultural landscape.
The original festival formed part of the Mundum Trail Visit Year programme. As that campaign belonged to 2025, readers planning a present-day trip should verify current route conditions and programme details before travelling.
