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47-592: Ilam attracts many researchers and scientists for the study of medicinal and aromatic plants, orchids, rare birds and the red panda . Ilam stretches from the Terai belt to the upper hilly belt of this Himalayan nation. The name Ilam is derived from the Limbu language in which "IL" means twisted and "Lam" means road. Ilam was one of the ten self ruling states of Limbuwan before the reunification of Nepal. Its ruler, King Hangshu Phuba Lingdom of Lingdom dynasty, ruled Ilam as

94-421: A "false thumb"—an extended wrist bone—with the modern species, suggesting the appendage was an adaptation to arboreal locomotion and not to feed on bamboo . Later and more advanced ailurids are classified in the subfamily Ailurinae and are known as the "true" red pandas. These animals were smaller and more adapted for an omnivorous or herbivorous diet. The earliest known true panda is Magerictis from

141-460: A confederate state of Limbuwan until 1813 AD. The treaty between the other Limbuwan states and the King of Gorkha ( Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD), and the conflict of Gorkha and Sikkim , led to the unification of Ilam with Gorkha. Ilam was the last of the ten kingdoms of Limbuwan to be reunified into Nepal. The King of Gorkha gave the ruler of Ilam full autonomy to rule and the right of Kipat. Ilam

188-616: A decade, there has been growing number of technical and vocational programs at secondary and university levels. Mahendra Ratna Multiple Campus, the oldest institution in Ilam, is one of the constituent campuses of Tribhuvan University. The first autonomous campus of Nepal, it is well known for its programs such as Agricultural Science, Education, Humanities and Commerce. The campus launched a Bachelor of Science program in Horticulture in 2012 (B.S. 2069), which has attracted students from all over

235-554: A dense canopy cover of more than 75 per cent, steep slopes and a density of at least 70 bamboo plants/m (6.5 bamboo plants/sq ft). In some parts of China, the red panda coexists with the giant panda. In Fengtongzhai and Yele National Nature Reserves , red panda microhabitat is characterised by steep slopes with lots of bamboo stems , shrubs, fallen logs and stumps, whereas the giant panda prefers gentler slopes with taller but lesser amounts of bamboo and less habitat features overall. Such niche separation lessens competition between

282-616: A diameter of 30 cm (12 in). Red pandas observed in Phrumsengla National Park used foremost easterly and southerly slopes with a mean slope of 34° and a canopy cover of 66 per cent that were overgrown with bamboo about 23 m (75 ft) in height. In Dafengding Nature Reserve , it prefers steep south-facing slopes in winter and inhabits forests with bamboo 1.5–2.5 m (4 ft 11 in – 8 ft 2 in) tall. In Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve , it inhabits mixed coniferous forest with

329-682: A reduced snout and triangular ears, and nearly evenly lengthed limbs. It has a head-body length of 51–63.5 cm (20.1–25.0 in) with a 28–48.5 cm (11.0–19.1 in) tail. The Himalayan red panda is recorded to weigh 3.2–9.4 kg (7.1–20.7 lb), while the Chinese red panda weighs 4–15 kg (8.8–33.1 lb) for females and 4.2–13.4 kg (9.3–29.5 lb) for males. It has five curved digits on each foot, each with curved semi-retractile claws that aid in climbing. The pelvis and hindlimbs have flexible joints, adaptations for an arboreal quadrupedal lifestyle. While not prehensile ,

376-562: A syllabic alphabet system known as Kirat Rai . Among the Khambu or Rai people of Eastern Nepal , Sikkim , Darjeeling and Kalimpong in India, Bantawa is the largest language spoken. According to the 2001 National Census, at least 1.63% of the Nepal's total population speaks Bantawa. About 370,000 speak Bantawa Language mostly in eastern hilly regions of Nepal (2001). Although Bantawa is among

423-431: Is Latin for 'shining, bright'. The red panda was described and named in 1825 by Frederic Cuvier , who gave it its current scientific name Ailurus fulgens . Cuvier's description was based on zoological specimens , including skin, paws, jawbones and teeth "from the mountains north of India", as well as an account by Alfred Duvaucel . The red panda was described earlier by Thomas Hardwicke in 1821, but his paper

470-524: Is also a religious spot for pilgrimages from Nepal and India . The Mai river and its four tributaries also emerge in the Ilam district. Sano Pathivara is another place that is famous for pilgrimage. The famous Mane Bhanjyang (Mane pass) connects Ilam with the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. You must visit Fikkal and Kanyam. Ilam was in the news a great deal during the Maoist insurgency, as it

517-550: Is based on the grooves on the side of its canine teeth . Other early or basal ailurids include Alopecocyon and Simocyon , whose fossils have been found throughout Eurasia and North America dating from the Middle Miocene , the latter of which survived into the Early Pliocene . Both have similar teeth to Amphictis and thus had a similar diet. The puma -sized Simocyon was likely a tree-climber and shared

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564-430: Is only 4.2 times its body length, with a simple stomach, no noticeable divide between the ileum and colon , and no caecum . Both sexes have paired anal glands that emit a secretion consisting of long-chain fatty acids , cholesterol , squalene and 2-Piperidinone ; the latter is the most odoriferous compound and is perceived by humans as having an ammoniacal or pepper-like odour. The red panda inhabits Nepal ,

611-628: Is spoken in the following districts of Nepal ( Ethnologue ). Dialects are as follows ( Ethnologue ). Bantawa is also considered as a superior clan in the Kiranti family. Bantawa is also reportedly in use as a lingua franca among Rai minorities in Himalayan Sikkim , Darjeeling Kalimpong In India and Bhutan . Meanwhile, the language is just being introduced in a few schools at the primary level (Year 1- Year 5) using Devanagari script . The extinct Waling language attested from

658-563: Is thought to be the red panda's Nepali name; in English, it was simply called panda , and was the only animal known under this name for more than 40 years; it became known as the red panda or lesser panda to distinguish it from the giant panda , which was formally described and named in 1869. The genus name Ailurus is adopted from the Ancient Greek word αἴλουρος ailouros meaning 'cat'. The specific epithet fulgens

705-538: The Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests ecoregion. The westernmost records to date were obtained in three community forests in Kalikot District in 2019. Panchthar and Ilam Districts represent its easternmost range in the country, where its habitat in forest patches is surrounded by villages, livestock pastures and roads. The metapopulation in protected areas and wildlife corridors in

752-750: The Hengduan Mountains subalpine conifer forests and Qionglai-Minshan conifer forests in the Hengduan , Qionglai , Xiaoxiang , Daxiangling and Liangshan Mountains in Sichuan. In the adjacent Yunnan province, it was recorded only in the northwestern montane part. The red panda prefers microhabitats within 70–240 m (230–790 ft) of water sources. Fallen logs and tree stumps are important habitat features, as they facilitate access to bamboo leaves. Red pandas have been recorded to use steep slopes of more than 20° and stumps exceeding

799-784: The Kangchenjunga landscape of Sikkim and northern West Bengal is partly connected through old-growth forests outside protected areas. Forests in this landscape are dominated by Himalayan oaks ( Quercus lamellosa and Q. semecarpifolia ), Himalayan birch , Himalayan fir , Himalayan maple with bamboo, Rhododendron and some black juniper shrub growing in the understoreys . Records in Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh's Pangchen Valley , West Kameng and Shi Yomi districts indicate that it frequents habitats with Yushania and Thamnocalamus bamboo, medium-sized Rhododendron , whitebeam and chinquapin trees. In China, it inhabits

846-564: The Late Oligocene or Early Miocene , about 25 to 18 million years ago . The earliest member Amphictis is known from its 10 cm (4 in) skull and may have been around the same size as the modern species. Its dentition consists of sharp premolars and carnassials (P4 and m1) and molars adapted for grinding (M1, M2 and m2), suggesting that it had a generalised carnivorous diet. Its placement within Ailuridae

893-624: The Siang River constitutes the boundary between the Himalayan and Chinese red pandas. They probably diverged due to glaciation events on the southern Tibetan Plateau in the Pleistocene . The placement of the red panda on the evolutionary tree has been debated. In the early 20th century, various scientists placed it in the family Procyonidae with raccoons and their allies. At the time, most prominent biologists also considered

940-503: The lesser panda , is a small mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China . It has dense reddish-brown fur with a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzzle and a ringed tail. Its head-to-body length is 51–63.5 cm (20.1–25.0 in) with a 28–48.5 cm (11.0–19.1 in) tail, and it weighs between 3.2 and 15 kg (7.1 and 33.1 lb). It is well adapted to climbing due to its flexible joints and curved semi-retractile claws. The red panda

987-423: The Chinese red panda ( A. f. styani ). The Himalayan subspecies has a straighter profile, a lighter coloured forehead and ochre -tipped hairs on the lower back and rump. The Chinese subspecies has a more curved forehead and sloping snout, a darker coat with a less white face and more contrast between the tail rings. In 2020, results of a genetic analysis of red panda samples showed that the red panda populations in

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1034-572: The Himalayas and China were separated about 250,000 years ago. The researchers suggested that the two subspecies should be treated as distinct species. Red pandas in southeastern Tibet and northern Myanmar were found to be part of styani , while those of southern Tibet were of fulgens in the strict sense. DNA sequencing of 132 red panda faecal samples collected in Northeast India and China also showed two distinct clusters indicating that

1081-545: The Middle Miocene of Spain and known only from one tooth, a lower second molar. The tooth shows both ancestral and new characteristics having a relatively low and simple crown but also a lengthened crushing surface with developed tooth cusps like later species. Later ailurines include Pristinailurus bristoli which lived in eastern North America from the late Miocene to the Early Pliocene and species of

1128-574: The Nepal. Ilam is well known for its religious importance too. The Devi temples have a great importance attached to them and many people come here just for pilgrimage. The major attraction of Ilam is the nine-cornered Mai Pokhari lake. Also known as the Abode of the Goddess, many tourists as well as Nepalese people come to visit this place. This place is also one of the most famous places for flora and fauna, which attracts biologists. Similarly, Gajurmukhi

1175-506: The Pleistocene and appears to have been limited to Asia. The modern red panda's lineage became adapted for a specialised bamboo diet, having molar-like premolars and more elevated cusps. The false thumb would secondarily gain a function in feeding. Analysis of 53 red panda samples from Sichuan and Yunnan showed a high level of genetic diversity . The full genome of the red panda was sequenced in 2017. Researchers have compared it to

1222-413: The dense undercoat is fluffier with shorter hairs. The guard hairs on the back have a circular cross-section and are 47–56 mm (1.9–2.2 in) long. It has moderately long whiskers around the mouth, lower jaw and chin. The hair on the soles of the paws allows the animal to walk in snow. The red panda has a relatively small head, though proportionally larger than in similarly sized raccoons, with

1269-487: The face when it is cold. It is adapted for climbing and descends to the ground head-first with the hindfeet holding on to the middle of the tree trunk. It moves quickly on the ground by trotting or bounding. Bantawa language The Bantawa Language (also referred to as An Yüng, Bantaba, Bantawa Dum, Bantawa Yong, Bantawa Yüng, Bontawa, Kirawa Yüng), is a Kiranti language spoken in the eastern Himalayan hills of eastern Nepal by Kirati Bantawa ethnic groups. They use

1316-675: The females giving birth to litters of up to four cubs in summer. It is threatened by poaching as well as destruction and fragmentation of habitat due to deforestation . The species has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2015. It is protected in all range countries . Community-based conservation programmes have been initiated in Nepal , Bhutan and northeastern India ; in China, it benefits from nature conservation projects. Regional captive breeding programmes for

1363-501: The genome of the giant panda to learn the genetics of convergent evolution , as both species have false thumbs and are adapted for a specialised bamboo diet despite having the digestive system of a carnivore. Both pandas show modifications to certain limb development genes ( DYNC2H1 and PCNT ), which may play roles in the development of the thumbs. In switching from a carnivorous to a herbivorous diet, both species have reactivated taste receptor genes used for detecting bitterness , though

1410-502: The genus Parailurus which first appear in Early Pliocene Europe, spreading across Eurasia into North America. These animals are classified as a sister taxon to the lineage of the modern red panda. In contrast to the herbivorous modern species, these ancient pandas were likely omnivores, with highly cusped molars and sharp premolars . The earliest fossil record of the modern genus Ailurus dates no earlier than

1457-601: The more widely used variety of the Bantawa language, it falls in the below-100,000 category of endangered languages. It is experiencing language shift to Nepali , especially in the northern region. Bantawa is spoken in subject-object-verb order, and has no noun classes or genders. Most of the Bantawa clan are now settled in Bhojpur, Dharan , Illam, and Dhankuta. Recent figures show most of them are settled in Dharan. Bantawa

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1504-549: The red panda ( Ailuridae ) stretches back around 25 to 18 million years ago , as indicated by extinct fossil relatives found in Eurasia and North America. The red panda inhabits coniferous forests as well as temperate broadleaf and mixed forests , favouring steep slopes with dense bamboo cover close to water sources. It is solitary and largely arboreal . It feeds mainly on bamboo shoots and leaves, but also on fruits and blossoms. Red pandas mate in early spring, with

1551-975: The red panda has close affinities with procyonids. Further genetic studies in 2005, 2018 and 2021 have placed the red panda within the clade Musteloidea , which also includes Procyonidae, Mustelidae ( weasels and relatives) and Mephitidae ( skunks and relatives). Canidae [REDACTED] Ursidae [REDACTED] Pinnipedia [REDACTED] Ailuridae [REDACTED] Mephitidae [REDACTED] Procyonidae [REDACTED] Mustelidae [REDACTED] Mephitidae [REDACTED] Ailuridae [REDACTED] Procyonidae [REDACTED] Mustelidae [REDACTED] Canidae [REDACTED] Ursidae [REDACTED] Pinnipedia [REDACTED] Ailuridae [REDACTED] Mephitidae [REDACTED] Procyonidae [REDACTED] Mustelidae [REDACTED] The family Ailuridae appears to have evolved in Europe in either

1598-528: The red panda have been established in zoos around the world. It is featured in animated movies, video games, comic books and as the namesake of companies and music bands. The origin of the name panda is uncertain, but one of the most likely theories is that it derived from the Nepali word "ponya". The word पञ्जा pajā or पौँजा pañjā means "ball of the foot" and "claws". The Nepali words "nigalya ponya" has been translated as "bamboo-footed" and

1645-425: The red panda to be related to the giant panda, which would eventually be found to be a bear . A 1982 study examined the similarities and differences in the skull between the red panda and the giant panda, other bears and procyonids, and placed the species in its own family Ailuridae . The author of the study considered the red panda to be more closely related to bears. A 1995 mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed that

1692-401: The sides. In addition, the red panda's sesamoid has a more sunken tip while the giant panda's curves in the middle. These features give the giant panda more developed dexterity. The red panda's skull is wide, and its lower jaw is robust. However, because it eats leaves and stems, which are not as tough, it has smaller chewing muscles than the giant panda. The digestive system of the red panda

1739-419: The specific genes are different. The red panda's coat is mainly red or orange-brown with a black belly and legs. The muzzle, cheeks, brows and inner ear margins are mostly white while the bushy tail has red and buff ring patterns and a dark brown tip. The colouration appears to serve as camouflage in habitat with red moss and white lichen -covered trees. The guard hairs are longer and rougher while

1786-664: The states of Sikkim , West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh in India, Bhutan , southern Tibet , northern Myanmar and China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The global potential habitat of the red panda has been estimated to comprise 47,100 km (18,200 sq mi) at most; this habitat is located in the temperate climate zone of the Himalayas with a mean annual temperature range of 18–24 °C (64–75 °F). Throughout this range, it has been recorded at elevations of 2,000–4,300 m (6,600–14,100 ft). In Nepal, it lives in six protected area complexes within

1833-402: The tail helps the animal balance while climbing. The forepaws possess a "false thumb", which is an extension of a wrist bone, the radial sesamoid found in many carnivorans. This thumb allows the animal to grip onto bamboo stalks and both the digits and wrist bones are highly flexible. The red panda shares this feature with the giant panda, which has a larger sesamoid that is more compressed at

1880-436: The two bamboo-eating species. The red panda is difficult to observe in the wild, and most studies on its behaviour have taken place in captivity. The red panda appears to be both nocturnal and crepuscular , sleeping in between periods of activity at night. It typically rests or sleeps in trees or other elevated spaces, stretched out prone on a branch with legs dangling when it is hot, and curled up with its hindlimb over

1927-658: The world and is exported to Europe, Australia and the USA. The main source of income in this district is commercial agriculture, especially cash crops like tea, cardamom, ginger, potato, broom grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) production on a large scale and dairy and dairy related products like milk (Olan), cheese, Chhurpi (Traditional hard cheese) and lollipops (local sweets). Ilam is also considered to be an educational hub, where students from Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung and Jhapa are plentiful. There are several institutions that offer secondary, higher secondary and university level programs. For

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1974-468: Was an independent Limbu kingdom until 1714 AD. Ilam is today one of the developing places in Nepal, even though the Western parts are still struggling with the basic facilities (road networks, drinking water, health, etc.). The migration rate is very low, compared to other districts, due to the adoption of farming by individual families. Ilam Tea, a very famous leaf tea, is one of the finest quality teas in

2021-515: Was formally described in 1825. The two currently recognised subspecies, the Himalayan and the Chinese red panda, genetically diverged about 250,000 years ago. The red panda's place on the evolutionary tree has been debated, but modern genetic evidence places it in close affinity with raccoons , weasels , and skunks . It is not closely related to the giant panda , which is a bear , though both possess elongated wrist bones or " false thumbs " used for grasping bamboo . The evolutionary lineage of

2068-835: Was from there that Maoists launched frequent, massive attacks. Tourists going to Ilam can expect to pay around 7000 rupees a week for accommodation and food. People can get easy options for hotel and restaurant facilities of various levels. At the time of the 2021 Nepal census , Ilam District had a population of 279,534. Ilam has a literacy rate of 83.4% and a sex ratio of 1005 females per 1000 males. 166,513 (59.60%) lived in municipalities. Ethnicity/caste of Ilam district (2021) Ethnicity/caste: 20.79% were Rai , 16.10% Limbu , 13.90% Chhetri , 12.72% Bahun , 7.06% Tamang , 5.21% Magar , 3.76% Newar , 3.50% Kami and 3.04% Gurung . The Janjati communities are in majority here. Religion: 44.19% were Hindu, 36.20% Kirat, 15.96% Buddhist and 3.51% Christian. Languages of Ilam district (2021) Nepali

2115-460: Was only published in 1827. In 1902, Oldfield Thomas described a skull of a male red panda specimen under the name Ailurus fulgens styani in honour of Frederick William Styan who had collected this specimen in Sichuan . The modern red panda is the only recognised species in the genus Ailurus . It is traditionally divided into two subspecies : the Himalayan red panda ( A. f. fulgens ) and

2162-636: Was spoken by 42.8% of the population as their first language. It seems that in Ilam, as in much of eastern Nepal, the Janjatis are abandoning their own languages in favour of Nepali. Ilam is divided into 4 urban and 6 rural municipalities. Ilam district is home to notable personalities including sportspersons and politicians. 26°54′N 87°56′E  /  26.900°N 87.933°E  / 26.900; 87.933 Red panda A. f. fulgens F. Cuvier, 1825 A. f. styani Thomas , 1902 The red panda ( Ailurus fulgens ), also known as

2209-490: Was the majority language in Ilam in 2021, spoken by 54.29% of the population as their first language. Other languages were Limbu (13.71%), Bantawa (7.53%), Rai (4.81%), Tamang (4.58%), Magar Dhut (3.56%), Chamling (1.25%), Newari and Gurung (1.00%). Other languages spoken here include Lepcha , which was the aboriginal language of neighbouring Sikkim and the Darjeeling Hills in India. In 2011, Nepali

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