Ekai Dagar ’एकै डगर' (Our Same Path) • A Song from Pangolins & People of Chitwan • Bhupu Pandey

Nepal is rich in biological diversity and the hills and plains are home to unique and endangered wildlife, such as pangolins. These innocent creatures, who feed on ants and termites, are on the verge of extinction because of rampant poaching and habitat loss.
Our research first documented that many indigenous fishing communities in Nepal’s terai are unaware of the conservation status of pangolins and still actively hunt these critically endangered species for bushmeat (see doi.org/10.101.... The scales on their back give pangolins a fish-like appearance, and hence, among some fishing communities who live in Tarai; pangolins are not known by their local Nepali name ‘salak’ but are known as 'ban machha' (forest fish), 'sal machho' and 'syal machho' instead.
This story is inspired by one such fishing community in Chitwan that is recently learning about pangolin conservation. This song is an appeal for the protection of both the indigenous Bote community and pangolins, who are both threatened and share the same landscape.
Pangolin is a protected species, and any act that harms these animals is strictly punishable with fines up to 1 million NPR and 15 years of jail time. Wildlife crimes not only disrupt nature but also the lives of the local community. Please don’t get involved or let others be involved in poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Let all wildlife, including pangolins, roam free in the wild.
Greenhood Nepal co-created this song in close collaboration with the local indigenous people in their language, inspired by their traditional folk music. The Bote Community Homestay in Bankatta Chitwan has adopted this song to be a part of their cultural performance to their guests.
Direction & Edit - Sagar Babu Bhatta
Concept - Kumar Paudel
Lyrics - Hark Saud
Music and Vocal - Bhupu Pandey
Recorded at Wave
Recordist - Sameer Karki
MUA - Suman Shankar
Cinematography - Raj Pokharel
Additional clips - Kenneth Lawrence
Colour - Prabin Bhatta
Postproduction - BP Films Nepal
Cast - Bhupu Pandey, Sabita Bot, Dil Kumari Bot, Reshub Bot
Crew member - Ramhari Rayamajhi, Shambhu Bhattarai, Hridayandra Thapa
Special Thanks - Neelima Vallangi, Jagnarayan Bot, Sabitri Rai, Siddhanta Pandey, Santosh Bot, Santa Bdr Bot, Narayan Datta Sapkota & People of ‘Bankatta’ village
Made with the support of Pangolin Crisis Fund.
© Greenhood Nepal 2023
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