Survival to drought: The shared story of the Himalayan pangolin and Macchindranatha Jatra
Summary
The Himalayan pangolin's population in Kathmandu Valley suffered a drastic decline due to a 7th-century drought, paralleling the ancient Rato Machindranath Jatra, a festival praying for rain. This shared history highlights survival amid severe climate change and informs current conservation efforts.
Key Points
- The Himalayan pangolin, a distinct species, suffered a severe population decline about 700 years ago due to prolonged drought and resource scarcity in Kathmandu Valley.
- Genetic analysis (GONE) revealed the pangolin's population history correlating with historic climate records showing monsoon failures in the 7th century.
- The Rato Machindranath Jatra, a centuries-old festival in Patan, was established as a ritual petition for rain during a historic drought, symbolizing local cultural resilience.
- Today, the Himalayan pangolin faces threats from poaching and inbreeding, with conservation efforts benefiting from the recent genomic study enabling better species protection.
