Lete (Mustang), 21 May 2026 (7 Jestha 2083) | A workshop titled "Cheer Pheasant Conservation and Bird Tourism" has been grandly concluded in Lete, Ward No. 3 of Thasang Rural Municipality, Mustang. Organized by the Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU), the event held on Thursday featured detailed discussions on the conservation of the globally threatened Cheer Pheasant and the potential of bird tourism in the region.
The program was chaired by Hathan Ram Mahato, President of the NOU, with Pradip Gauchan, Chairman of Thasang Rural Municipality, attending as the Chief Guest.
During the workshop, Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Executive Director of the NOU, delivered the welcome address. He provided a brief overview of various pheasant species in Nepal and highlighted the objectives of the workshop. He also presented the results of the Cheer Pheasant survey conducted in the Lower Kaligandaki Valley of Thasang RM within the Annapurna Conservation Area in 2025, along with this year's programs and the strategic direction for the coming year.
Similarly, the NOU President, Hathan Ram Mahato, delivered a special presentation on "Bird Diversity and Conservation in Nepal." He discussed in detail the current status of birds in Nepal, as well as the opportunities, challenges, and prospects of bird tourism in Thasang Rural Municipality and the entire Kali Gandaki Valley within the Mustang district.
Following the presentations, an extensive discussion took place among the stakeholders present in the hall regarding Cheer Pheasant conservation and bird tourism. During the discussion, participants emphasized that:
- Local Leadership: Local residents must take the initiative themselves to protect birds, including the Cheer Pheasant.
- Tourism Integration: Bird watching should be integrated as a core component of local tourism.
- Education: Conservation education programs should be launched starting from the school level.
The Chief Guest of the program and Chairman of Thasang Rural Municipality, Pradip Gauchan, stated that housing the globally threatened Cheer Pheasant within their municipality is a matter of great pride. "Our municipality is fully committed to protecting the Cheer Pheasant, other bird species, mammals, butterflies, and the overall biodiversity found within Thasang Rural Municipality," Chairman Gauchan said. He clarified that the municipality will take initiatives to advance research and study efforts in the coming days to identify and wisely utilize the region's biological resources. Furthermore, Chairman Gauchan committed to involving local residents, school teachers, and students in bird and biodiversity conservation campaigns. He also pledged to conduct various skill-based training programs to link conservation with tourism, thereby boosting the income and living standards of the local people.
The program was attended by 35 remarkable audience members of local leaders, conservationists, and community representatives. Key attendees included Somal Hirachan (Vice Chair of the Thasang Rural Municipality), Bikash Pariyar (Chief Administrative Officer of Thasang Rural Municipality), Hari Prasad Gauchan (Chairman of Ward No. 3, Lete), Narendra Sherchan (Chairman of Ward No. 4, Ghasa), Rupesh Tulachan (Chairman of Ward No. 5, Kunjo), Sanjog Thakali (Senior Ranger of ACAP), and Sundevi Rasaili (President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Mustang Branch). Additionally, traditional village chiefs (Mukhiyas) Tek Bahadur Tulachan, Saput Sherchan, and Nirajan Sherchan attended alongside Bishal Thakali and Jiban Thakali (chairpersons of the CAMC), officials from various mothers' groups (Aama Samuha), forest conservation groups, local school teachers, and the chief of the Area Police Post.
The event was hosted and run by Manshanta Ghimire, Vice President of the Nepalese Ornithological Union. Technical and managerial facilitation to ensure the smooth execution of the program was provided by the NOU Research Officer Birat Raj Rajak and ACAP Senior Ranger Sanjog Thakali.
President Hathan Ram Mahato expressed his gratitude to all the attendees and officially closed the program, followed by a group photo and lunch.