05/05/2026
MEGHAULI, CHITWAN | May 4, 2026 — The Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU), in coordination with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and several key conservation partners, successfully concluded a national-level consultative workshop today in Meghauli, Chitwan. The workshop marks a critical milestone in the ongoing effort to reassess and update the conservation status of Nepal’s avian biodiversity.
The program commenced at the conference hall of the Radha Krishna Buffer Zone Community Forest, chaired by Mr. Hathan Ram Mahato, President of the NOU. Dr. Ganesh Pant, Chief Warden of Chitwan National Park and the event's Chief Guest, urged the forum to provide implementable suggestions. He emphasized that a robust Red List document is essential for National Parks and Forest offices to design effective, site-specific species conservation plans. The session was emceed by NOU Treasurer Manshant Ghimire, while Executive Director Laxman Prasad Poudyal welcomed the attendees, highlighting the program’s objectives and celebrating past milestones in bird conservation.
Following the Inaugural Session, the technical session led by Dr. Hem Sagar Baral got underway. Dr. Baral briefed the 60 participants comprised of citizen scientists, bird experts, university academics, and frontline birders on the criteria for regional Red List categories.
A rapid, consensus-based assessment was conducted for the 168 species currently listed as nationally threatened (68 Critically Endangered, 38 Endangered, and 62 Vulnerable) and 62 Near Threatened species. This update is vital as Nepal hosts over 8% of the world's bird species, and much has changed since the last comprehensive assessment in 2016. Ultimately, this process ensures the National Red List reflects the most current scientific data and on-ground realities for Nepal's avian biodiversity.
Dr. Tulsi Subedi briefed the participants on the new species recorded in Nepal since 2022. Hathan Ram Mahato led the consultation regarding species currently listed as Least Concern to determine if they require reassignment to other categories.
Birds are vital indicators of environmental health and climate change. "This update is both timely and necessary," noted the organizing team. "Periodic reassessments are the only way to ensure our conservation actions match the reality on the ground."
This initiative was made possible through the generous support of a wide network of technical and financial partners:
Financial Contributors
• NGOs & Societies: ZSL Nepal Office, BIOCOS Nepal, Bird’s Nepal, Himalayan Nature, Pokhara Bird Society, Koshi Bird Society, Bird Education Society, Mithila Wildlife Trust.
• Local Associations: Nature Guide Associations of Sauraha, Meghauli-Ghatgai, and Nawalpur.
• Tourism & Corporate Partners: Barahi Jungle Lodge, Meghauli Serai (A Taj Safari), North Point Mall, Nepal Nature Trek and Tours, Optisan Optics (Taiwan), and Meghauli Tharu Homestay.
Technical Support
• Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC)
• Tribhuvan University
• Chitwan National Park
• Division Forest Office, Chitwan
• Nepal Zoological Society
• Natural History Museum
• Tharu Museum, Meghauli
The findings from this workshop will serve as the foundational guide for Nepal's avian conservation policies for the coming decade.
