ASSESSMENT OF ILLEGAL POACHING AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES FOR THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED INDIAN PANGOLIN (MANIS CRASSICAUDATA) IN POTOHAR REGION, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract The use of reliable ecological information to support evidence-based management decisions for critically threatened species is often limited by data availability and local ecological knowledge (LCK) is increasingly regarded as a significant source of knowledge for conservation. The Indian Pangolin, Manis Crassicaudata, is considered endangered even though it plays a vital role in the food chain because it eats termites and other insects. This study in Pakistan aims to assess the critically endangered Indian pangolin's ecological role, population status, and illegal trade level using local community knowledge. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey research and collected the most recent data of Indian pangolin with 200 respondents across different locations of four districts (Jhelum, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad) between March 2020- April 2022 in the Potohar region of Punjab province, Pakistan. The survey aimed to determine whether LCK can provide innovative insights for pangolin conservation. The illegal trade of pangolins was reported across all four districts: Jhelum (73%, n=41), Chakwal (61.81%, n=55), Islamabad (>78.5%, n=42), and Rawalpindi (48.5%, n=62). As insectivorous animals, Indian pangolins serve as pest controllers and are beneficial for the ecosystem by protecting crops and forests. However, the illegal trade continues, with pangolin scales and other body parts, such as nails and flesh, being used by local communities and traded outside the country. Worldwide fund for nature plays an important role to stop the illegal trading of Indian Pangolin. This study stresses the need for detailed surveys to create conservation plans based on local community knowledge.