Ongoing

Safeguarding Owls Through Implementation of ‘Owl Conservation Action Plan’ in Central Nepal

Project Leader: Raju Acharya

Location: Gandaki Province, Nepal

Funding Agency: Whitley Fund for Nature, UK

Owls in Nepal face threats from habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and trade driven by superstitions. The government’s Owl onservation Action Plan (2020-2029) addresses these issues. About 1,500 owls are hunted or traded annually due to low awareness, weak law enforcement, hunting for meat and profit, and traditional beliefs. The loss of old trees and nesting sites in semi-urban areas worsens the problem.

The project seeks to address these challenges by following measures:

• Enhance the capacity of law enforcement, policymakers, and owl envoys to achieve a 25% reduction in hunting and trade.
• Raise awareness among 3,000 students and the public through 100 conservation camps.
• Establish five catapult-free zones to reduce catapult use by 60%.
• Restore and rehabilitate 1,200 hectares of owl habitat by protecting old trees and installing artificial nests.

Plantation Project in Dhading Nepal

Location: Dhading, Nepal
Funding Agency: Stiftung Unternehmen Wald, Germany

Native biodiversity loss disrupts ecosystems and reduces essential services like clean air, water, and crop pollination. Planting native seedlings is crucial for conservation as they adapt well to local conditions and support wildlife. Community involvement enhances environmental stewardship, raises awareness, restores habitats, and strengthens ecosystem resilience, ensuring long-term sustainability.

The project aims to achieve following activities:

1. Plant 7,000 native seedlings and secure with fencing.
2. Involve indigenous people, local communities, and the Local Forest User Group in the plantation.
3. Regularly monitor and replant dead or damaged seedlings the following year.
4. Ensure native biodiversity conservation and enhance ecosystem services.

Promoting Tourism through Whistling Hunters, Nepal

Project Leader: Raju Acharya
Location: Annapurna Conservation Area (Tangting), Kaski, Nepal
Funding Agency: European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), Switzerland

The Asiatic Wild Dog, or Dhole, has recently reappeared in the Annapurna landscape after a 30-year local extinction. However, this recolonization is threatened by habitat fragmentation, unmanaged solid waste from tourism, and negative community perceptions that historically led to their disappearance. As Tangting Village attracts roughly 20,000 tourists annually, there is an urgent need to balance infrastructure development with the conservation of this “Whistling Hunter.”

The project is designed to conduct following activities:

1. Restore and protect habitat through regular patrolling, the removal of snares, and the construction of water holes in core Dhole habitats.
2. Develop sustainable tourism by creating 10km of mountain bike trails and establishing a tourist information center to promote responsible travel.
3. Empower local livelihoods by training 10 youths as nature guides and providing “waste-to-handicraft” training to the community.
4. Mitigate environmental impact through organized cleanup events and the promotion of alternative livelihoods that reduce dependency on forest resources.

Community based Conservation Strategies for Dholes in Lower Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Project Leader: Prabal Bir Jung Rana
Location: Sikles and Tangting villages, Madi Rural Municipality, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal
Funding Agency: The Rufford Foundation, UK

The Asiatic wild dog, or dhole, was historically widespread across Nepal’s mid-hills but has declined drastically due to hunting, snaring, and habitat loss. Recent camera trap surveys in the Annapurna Conservation Area indicate a fragile recolonization. However, ongoing livestock losses and human-wildlife conflict contribute to negative perceptions among local communities, which can hinder the species’ recovery. Understanding these perceptions and the history of coexistence is essential for ensuring a sustainable future for dholes in the region.

The project is designed to conduct following activities:

1. Assess community views and perceptions toward dholes through structured interviews and two-way dialogues with forest-dependent households and herders.
2. Raise conservation awareness by conducting educational camps and school-based workshops to highlight the dhole’s ecological importance.
3. Strengthen local leadership by engaging youth in participation programs designed to build stewardship for wildlife protection.
4. Promote sustainable coexistence by combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation strategies to reduce negative human-wildlife interactions.
5. Encourage sustainable land-use practices that support both local livelihoods and the long-term habitat needs of the dhole population.

Stream Frog Conservation Project

Project Leader: Suman Sapkota
Location: Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve and Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal
Funding Agency (financial and technical): The Rufford Foundation, UK; Stiftung Artenschutz, Germany; Nagao Natural Environment Foundation, Japan; Amphibian Survival Alliance, USA

Nepal has 56 amphibian species, including two threatened ones, with limited research and conservation funding. Amphibians face threats from illegal hunting and trade, but these issues are not well understood. The project will document breeding sites and protect
stream frogs in the Himalayas, assess hunting and trade impacts, and develop species specific conservation plans and research priorities.

The project will achieve following activities:

1. Identify Nanorana rostandi breeding sites in Dhorpatan and install informational hoarding boards.
2. Document hunting and trade of stream frogs in central and western Nepal.
3. Study amphibian vocalization and calling patterns.
4. Educate community members and students on stream frog conservation.
5. Enhance the knowledge of stakeholders on amphibian identification and ecology
6. Engage policy makers and government bodies in devising conservation actions.

Wildlife Research Techniques Training

Project Leader: Raju Acharya
Location: Syangja, Nepal
Funding Agency (financial and technical): Bernd Thies Foundation, Switzerland; Accordeos Foundation, Switzerland

Nepal’s wildlife research, starting with tigers and leopards in the 1970s, now faces a gap in formal training for students eager to work on lesser-known species. A 19-day in-field training program aims to address this by offering sessions on wildlife policy, statistics, camera trapping, research design, scientific writing, and media, along with field visits for various species. Participants will gain crucial skills and network with biodiversity experts and peers.

The project aims to achieve following activities:

1. Train 26 early-career university students in wildlife research techniques.
2. Foster a strong network between trainees and biodiversity experts.
3. Offer a six-month online internship with FON Nepal.
4. Monitor and guide trainees’ work during and after the internship.
5. Review research proposals and provide feedback to secure funding.
6. Provide technical and financial support as needed.

Nepal Owl Festival

Project Leader: Raju Acharya
Location: Dhanusa, Nepal
Funding Agency: Bernd Thies Foundation, Switzerland

Nepal hosts 23 of the world’s 225 owl species, with 9 threatened. Key threats include illegal trade, superstitions, habitat destruction, and lack of data. Annually, around 1500 owls are smuggled to India and China. Despite their ecological role, owls get less conservation focus compared to larger animals. The Government of Nepal’s Owl Conservation Action Plan aims to raise awareness, curb illegal activities, and foster partnerships. The Nepal Owl Festival supports these goals by combining conservation efforts with local culture, cuisine, and traditional games.

The project is designed to achieve following objectives:

1. Raise awareness among locals, organizations, media, and political leaders to discourageowl hunting and trade.
2. Build local capacity for bird conservation through ‘Owl Conservation Camps’ in schools and Community Forest User Groups.
3. Recognize and honor conservationists working on owls in Nepal and nearby countries.
4. Promote ecotourism by attracting visitors and showcasing local wildlife and culture.