Bird Conservation Nepal celebrated its 41st AGM
successfully on 16th December 2023 at Parelee Caters Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu. The
event was chaired by Prof. Karan Bahadur Shah, President, BCN Executive Council
Board and Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Director General (DG), Department of National
Parks and Wildlife Conservation graced the event as chief guest. Dr. Ghana
Shyam Gurung, Country Representative WWF Nepal was the special guest of the
event. Mr. Santosh Bikram Shah, President, Ranibari Community Forest, Dr. Hum
Gurung, BirdLife International Asia Representative, Ms. Roshni Adhikari,
President, Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalist (NEFEJ) were the guests of
the event. Participation of Advisors, Patron Members, BCN's Executive Council
Members, Life Members, General Members, Students and Media personnel made the
event more meaningful and exciting.
During the event, Nepal Bird Conservation
Network (NBCN) Grant Award worth Nrs. 1 Lakh was given to Koshi Bird Society
and Jagdispur Jalasaya Byabasthapan Bahusarokar Manch for their significant
contributions in bird and biodiversity conservation. Likewise, Jatayu Research
Scholarship worth Nrs. 30,000 each was awarded to Aashish Thapa and Prabesh
Pandey to assist university student in research of critically endangered
vultures. BCN also welcomed Mr. Sujan Kumar Shrestha as new Patron Members at
the event.
The discussion session began with presentation
on BCN’s Annual Progress Report from Mr. Ashok Bahadur Malla, General Secretary
followed by Annual Financial Report from Mr. Raj Kumar Rai, Treasurer, BCN
Executive Council Board. The queries on various issues raised by members were
addressed by Prof. Karan Bahadur Shah and concluded the session highlighting
the importance of Nepal as a hotspot for birds. As a take home message, Prof.
Shah said that the future of birds and its conservation in Nepal is getting
better and better with growing number of bird enthusiast, researcher and
students.