Introduction
In Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, a community of birdwatchers is making a significant difference in wildlife conservation and tourism promotion. Shankar Tiwari, one of the country's leading birdwatching guides, is an inspiring example of how a passion for these creatures can lead to a life dedicated to their protection.
From Hunter to Birdwatcher
Tiwari grew up near Chitwan National Park in central Nepal, where, as a child, he used to hunt birds for fun. However, everything changed when a foreign guest at the hotel where he worked took him birdwatching. It was then that he saw, through binoculars, the black-hooded oriole (Oriolus xanthornus), with its yellow and black plumage and red eyes, which sparked his passion for birdwatching.
Nepal's Birdwatching Community
Today, Tiwari is a prominent member of Nepal's growing birdwatching community, which is contributing to bird conservation while promoting it as a tourism attraction. This community not only helps raise awareness about birds but also plays a crucial role in monitoring bird populations and habitats, thus contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Study on Birdwatching in Nepal
A recent study suggests that birdwatching is becoming increasingly popular in Nepal, particularly among the young. This study highlights that the trend of birdwatching contributes to biodiversity conservation through public engagement and ecological data collection.
Organizations and Events
In Kathmandu, non-profit organizations like Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) and Friends of Birds organize events on weekends, drawing a diverse group of birdwatchers. However, despite the increasing popularity of birdwatching, public participation and data sharing remain limited.
Conclusion
Nepal's birdwatching community is an inspiring example of how a passion for a cause can lead to concrete actions for wildlife conservation and tourism promotion. With the continued growth of this community, it is likely that Nepal will see significant benefits for biodiversity conservation and the local economy.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay.