The Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU) successfully concluded its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 5 May 2026 (22 Baisakh 2083) in Meghauli, Chitwan. The general assembly evaluated the organization's past achievements and elected a new Executive Committee, provincial coordinators, and specialized committees to lead its conservation mission for the upcoming term. Established in 2010 by a dedicated group of ornithologists, NOU is a leading non-profit, membership-based organization working to protect Nepal’s wild birds, with a strict focus on threatened and endangered species and their habitats. Guided by its mission to conserve rare birds through scientific research, education, and community stewardship, NOU envisions securing bird habitats to contribute to a healthy landscape across Nepal. During the assembly, the AGM extended its deep gratitude to the outgoing Executive Committee (2024–2026), advisory panels, and thematic subcommittees for their high-value contributions and dedication over the past two years. The AGM wished the newly elected leadership great success in advancing the institution's core objectives. The newly formed committees and leadership structure selected by the AGM are as follows:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Hathan Ram Mahato
Vice President: Manshanta Ghimire
Treasurer: Sanjay Tha Shrestha
Secretary: Tek Bahadur Gharti Magar
Joint Secretary: Suraj Baral
Member: Ram Bahadur Shahi
Member: Alina Chaudhary
Member: Shankar Tiwari
Member: Durga Devi Chaudhary
ADVISORY BOARD
The AGM has honored Founding President Dr. Hem Sagar Baral by selecting him as the Chief Advisor of the union.
NEPAL BIRD RECORD COMMITTEE (NBRC)
The AGM also appointed dedicated experts to the NBRC to oversee scientific bird records and data verification in Nepal:
Chair Person: Dr. Tulsi Ram Subedi
Members: Sanjib Acharya, Manshanta Ghimire, Hathan Ram Mahato, Rajendra Gurung
Advisors: Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, Tikaram Giri, Carol Inskipp
PROVINCIAL COORDINATORS
To strengthen decentralized bird monitoring, local capacity building, and community-based conservation stewardship, the assembly appointed coordinators across all seven provinces:
Koshi Province: Jhilli Raj Timsina (Anis)
Madhesh Province: Dev Narayan Mandal
Bagmati Province: Basu Prasad Bidari
Gandaki Province: Seejan Gyawali
Lumbini Province: Birat Raj Rajak
Karnali Province: Dharmajit Saud
Sudurpashchim Province: Dev Raj Joshi
NOU protects wild birds and critical habitats across Nepal through field monitoring, scientific research, and community-based management. By equipping local communities with fundamental skills and training, NOU fosters local environmental stewardship, ensuring that nature protection delivers sustainable benefits to local livelihoods.