Changing attitude towards conservation: The community-based conservation model has had an organic growth over last one decade. Today, there are roughly 1,000 sq km of pristine forests fall under this management regime where community decides management rules and implements protocols on sustainable resource harvesting practices. These changes have come throughout the years of rigorous and regular engagement with the local community. “We have been working very hard to conserve the red panda, the black-necked crane and to preserve forests for our future generation” said Rinchin Wangdi, one of the executive members of Pangchen Lakhar CCA management committee while attending an award function held recently. “The award is a prize but we will also take this as a responsibility to perform better” he added. This positive attitude of the community has come over the period of time with successful implementation of CCA processes and with due recognition and appreciation. This positive vibes reflect in other villages too. Recently, the Socktsen village, one of the villages of the valley, came forward to declare some of their pristine forest as CCA. The villagers decided to undertake this conservation initiative after experiencing the model of their neighbouring villages. Ironically, this is the same village that has refused to take part of the conservation initiative way back 2011 with a suspicion notion that this will lead to alienation of their rights over natural resources and forests. Of late, this has been clarified, understood and finally, the villagers decided to declare their own conserved area and set up a management committee. This is the tip of the iceberg and there are many instances of how the people have shown their positive attitude towards conservation in the landscape. “We have been sighting red panda since our childhood but barely had any special feeling about it. If someone would have hunted a red panda before, it would least bother me. But, today, my perspective on red panda is changed, I feel pride and concern about them and of course, I will not let anyone hunt or let hurt them” Lham Tsering expressed his feeling about the red panda in one of our field conversations. Lham Tsering is one of the local community members undertaking red panda survey in Zemithang valley in a couple of years now. This model has already touched few hearts however there is a long way to go to make really a difference.