Padmaja Naidu Himalayan recently launched a programme to introduce 20 Red Pandas in around five years to the Singalila National Park.
Singalila National Park is a highly protected area, located at the Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
It is thehighest altitude in the state.
This park was a wildlife sanctuary initially. It was converted into a National Park in 1992.
In 1994, it was declared a major wild habitat for red pandas.
Red Pandas are categorized in Endangered category of IUCN Red list and Appendix I of CITES. They are protected under Schedule I of Wildlife protection act 1972. On the other hand, Giant Pandas are Vulnerable in IUCN Red List and Appendix I species in CITES.