Grassroots Efforts Empower Nepalis to Give a Hoot About Owls

By AdminAfforestation, Asia, Birds, Conservation, Education, Green Guard, Little Green Guards®, Mammals, Monkeys, Nepal, Owls, Partnerships, Primates
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Nepal has a remarkable diversity of owl species, 23 to be exact, and this impressive number accounts for about 10% of the owl species in the world. Unfortunately, owl populations in Nepal are dwindling, mainly as a result of habitat loss, illegal hunting and trade, lack of food resources, as well as secondary poisoning from exposure to pesticides.

 

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The eastern grass owl (Tyto longimembris), for example, is listed as Critically Endangered in Nepal. Fewer than 10 individuals are left in the country (photo from Pixabay).

 

To ensure the continued survival of owls, Mr. Bishwanath Rijal (Nepal Country Coordinator) has worked tirelessly on rescue missions and spreading knowledge about these magnificent birds of prey through a variety of educational and outreach activities. Below are some examples of his grassroots efforts.

 

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Mr. Rijal shared his wildlife crime control experiences with university students in the classroom, as well as invited them on field trips that broaden their understanding about owls as indicators of ecosystem health (© B. Rijal/Green Guard Nepal/LVDI International).

 

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More than 70,000 students in over 100 schools have participated in our educational program for children. Here, students of Nagarjun Thulagaun Secondary School (Tarakeshwar, Kathmandu) joined Mr. Rijal in an interactive lesson on the impacts of habitat encroachment, hunting, and poaching on owls, and other wildlife such as primates (© B. Rijal/Green Guard Nepal/LVDI International).

 

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Community outreach serves to heighten conservation awareness and generate dialogs among stakeholders. Mr. Rijal never missed an opportunity to engage with the public, both young and old, to protect owls and conserve their habitats (© B. Rijal/Green Guard Nepal/LVDI International).

 

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Through our Green Guard magazine, children and adults in more than 30 communities have learned about owls’ ecological role and why it is important to not use pesticides, consume owl meat, destroy their nests, or keep them as pets (© B. Rijal/Green Guard Nepal/LVDI International).

 

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The 2015 Gorkha earthquake destroyed many monuments and traditional buildings that provided nesting sites for owls. Together with his Green Guard team and local government colleagues, Mr. Rijal coordinated afforestation events to empower community members to create suitable habitats for owls (© B. Rijal/Green Guard Nepal/LVDI International).

 

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To date, Mr. Rijal has rescued more than 100 owls and assisted in investigations of illegal hunting and trade. In recognition of his commendable actions, Mr. Rijal was honored by Friends of Nature with a Nature Conservation Award in 2020 (© B. Rijal/Green Guard Nepal/LVDI International).