World Pangolin Day has become a significant event for conservationists, researchers, communities, stakeholders and partners worldwide to advocate for the protection of pangolins and their ecosystems. In alignment with the 2025 World Pangolin Day theme, “Youth Legacy for Pangolin Conservation”, SMCRF celebrated the occasion with a strong focus on engaging youth, recognizing their crucial role in future conservation efforts.
To raise awareness about pangolin conservation and promote the protection of their habitats, SMCRF organized a hiking event at the world’s first Pangolin Trail in Baghbhairav Community Forest, Machhegaun, Kirtipur on 15th February. The five-kilometer trail hike involved local community members and students from universities and schools, fostering direct engagement with nature and pangolin conservation efforts.
In Sindhuli, World Pangolin Day was celebrated in collaboration and financial support from the Division Forest Office, Sindhuli. The event, titled “Conservation of Pangolin and its Habitat Through Community and Youth Education and Awareness,” was successfully conducted on February 14th and 15th, 2025, in Kamalamai-3, Jalakanya, Sindhuli. The initiative aimed to align with the global observance of World Pangolin Day, which falls on the third Saturday of February each year. Through educational workshops, interactive sessions, and community outreach activities with field trip, and installation of pangolin information boards, the program encouraged a sense of responsibility among the youth. Participants learned about the ecological significance of pangolins and the urgent need to protect them from threats such as illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. The event not only honored the spirit of Pangolin Day but also reinforced the essential role of youth and local stakeholders in preserving biodiversity. School children, youth from eco-clubs, and volunteers actively participated in a nature trail hike and cleanup effort, demonstrating their commitment to conservation.
Additionally, SMCRF collaborated with the Division Forest Office, Dhading, for World Pangolin Day celebration in Dhading. A hiking event from Dhadingbesi-Pauwa-Rijalathok to Bhairavi Temple was organized, featuring the presence of the Forest and Environment Minister of Bagmati Province, Mr. Krishna Prasad Silwal, along with local and national stakeholders, community members, students, journalists, and community forest user groups. This event emphasized the collective effort required for pangolin conservation and provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and awareness-building. The active involvement of youth and local communities ensured that World Pangolin Day 2025 was not only a celebration but also a meaningful step toward long-term conservation success. Similarly, SMCRF collaborated with Society for Wildlife Research and Conservation (SOWREC) in school awareness campaign in Gorkha that acted as a bridge that connects awareness to action. Through the awareness campaign, SOWREC aimed not only to educate but also to develop a sense of responsibility of people towards species conservation.