< Go Back

OUR PRIORITY

Nepal is located at the heart of the great Himalayan range and is at the crossroads of two biogeographic realms: Palaeoarctic in the north and Indo-Malayan in the south. This unique geographic position, wide altitudinal variations, and diverse climatic conditions result in five main physiographic zones, from tropical to nival, within a short horizontal span. With this unique biodiversity, more than 900 species at the subspecies level have been recorded, including 74 vagrants. The Status of Nepal's Birds: The National Red List Series has identified 167 species in the nationally threatened category, while 62 species are assessed as near threatened. Moreover, Nepal is home to 43 globally threatened species. These bird species have been facing severe threats for a long time. Therefore, the Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU) is committed to conserving these birds, focusing on threatened species across Nepal.

Egyptian Vulture_HB.JPG
Egyptian Vultures is globally Endangered species, is a resident, now widespread and locally fairly common in west and west - central Nepal. Photo by Hari Basnet

Research

a) Taxonomy: Nepalese Ornithological Union has a subcommittee called as “Nepal Bird Record Committee” which is responsible to conduct taxonomic research on avifauna and updating the Nepal list.

b) Threatened birds: NOU conducts ecological and behavioural studies on birds, with a focus on nationally and globally threatened species. NOU has been studying bird behaviour and migration pattern using cutting-edge technologies like GPS-GSM transmitter studies on raptors and camera trapping studies on breeding biology.

c) Restoring bird habitat: Habitat management and advocating for the protection of important and threatened habitats are highly valued by the NOU.

Shuklaphanta grassland is an important both nationally and internationally for its extensive grasslands which supports many globally threatened fauna. Photo by: Hari Basnet

Conservation

Partnering with local communities in conservation: NOU believes that sustainable goals can be achieved through benefitting locals who share the
same landscape with birds. Community stewardship towards avifauna is one of the major visions of the NOU. NOU do the following activities
contribute to community conservation stewardship

a) Awareness and sensitization on the importance of birds and biodiversity to the locals

b) Developing the capacity of locals through capacity building training

c) A Community-based conservation program

d) Livelihood opportunities for the locals