Bird Conservation Awareness at Saraswati Secondary School, Dhorpatan

On November 9–10, 2025, a comprehensive capacity-building and bird conservation awareness program was successfully conducted at Saraswati Secondary School in Suturbung, Bobang. Located at a high altitude of 2,010 meters within Dhorpatan Municipality-9, the school hosted an intensive training session for 103 students from Grades 8 through 10, including 47 boys and 56 girls. Specifically, 46 students from Grade 8, 32 from Grade 9, and 25 from Grade 10 participated in the program. The primary objective was to strengthen the local eco-club's capacity by providing a deep dive into avian biology, the systematic classification of vertebrates, and the immense ecological value birds provide—from pest control and pollination to their deep-rooted cultural and moral significance in Nepal.

The curriculum transitioned from broad biological facts to the specific conservation challenges facing the region, with a specialized focus on the cheer pheasant, a globally threatened species native to these highlands. Students were educated on the bird's legal status, habitat requirements, and the severe penalties associated with illegal hunting or keeping the species in captivity. By analyzing major threats such as habitat fragmentation, climate change, and the over-exploitation of forest products, the participants were encouraged to think critically about the survival of pheasants in their own backyards.

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session and a feedback collection period involving both students and teachers. Using educational posters and localized examples, the training successfully highlighted the role of school-aged youth in environmental stewardship. These 103 young ambassadors from Suturbung are now better prepared to lead conservation efforts, advocate for the protection of forest and grassland habitats, and ensure the long-term survival of the Cheer Pheasant and other vital bird species within the Dhorpatan landscape.

A quiz competition was also held, and the following were the participants: