Local government authority and stakeholders took an action
to save the Globally Threatened vulture habitat in Kaptanganj, Lamahi, Dang.
Kaptanganj. The nesting site of Critically Endangered White-rumped Vulture,
Slender-billed Vulture and Endangered Egyptian Vulture lies in lamahi
Municipality-7, the Dang-Deukhuri Foothill Forest and West Rapti Wetland
Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Bird Conservation Nepal has been
monitoring the vulture nesting colony since a decade and conducting several
community awareness programs around the site. However, the site is encroached
by local people and intentionally destroying the vulture nesting trees as well
potential trees. To halt this situation stakeholder meeting was held in 10
March 2019; on the chairmanship of Kul Bahadur K.C., Mayor of Lamahi
Municipality in the presence of Shankar Praasaad Gupta, Division Forest
Officer, Division Forest Office, Deukhuri, Gopal Gwanly, Narti Community Forest
Co-ordination Committee, Lamahi, Arun Kumar Singh, Police Inspector, Lamahi,
Dilli Bahadur Rawat, President, Environment Sustainable Development and
Research Center (ESDRC), Dang, Ishwari Prasad Chaudhary, Vulture Technician,
Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), journalists and conservationist. The meeting
made a decision to mark the all vulture nesting trees and potential tall and
big trees and stop cutting them down in future. At the same Participants also
discussed to explore the potentiality of operating Home Stay in the area to
promote ecotourism and livelihood improvement off local community. It is a very
appreciative action initiated by local government authority on the vulture
conservation.