Bird
Conservation Nepal (BCN) carried out third stakeholder consultation workshop to
explore the possibility of bird conservation through sustainable enterprising
at Deurali, Sandakpur Rural Municipality ward number-3, Ilam District; a part
of Mai Valley Forest Landscape on 17 June, 2024. The workshop was carried out
in collaboration with Mountain Organization Nepal (MOON), Ilam and supported by
BirdLife International.
The workshop was honored with the presence of Tula Ram Gurung,
President of Sandakpur Rural Municipality; Hari Lungeli, Vice-president of
Sandakpur Rural Municipality and Lil Bahadur Purja, Chairperson of ward no. 3,
Sandakpur Rural Municipality. The President on his remarks highlighted the
importance of rich natural resources of the Sandakpur Rural Municipality, high
potential of birds and biodiversity in the area and the possibility of
eco-tourism. He also heartily welcomed BCN and its activities in the rural
municipality. Likewise, the vice-president and the ward-chairperson highlighted
the importance of bird conservation activities and wished for the successful
completion of the project.
A total of 29
participants were present in the workshop to discuss about land
use planning, resources mapping and stakeholder mapping for the development of
sustainable enterprises in the project area. All the participants actively
participated in group discussions and presented their ideas on aforementioned
topics. During the workshop, BCN's Senior
Program Manager, Khadananda Paudel, discussed the organization's efforts to
conserve birds and their habitats throughout Nepal, the necessity of a bird
conservation project in the Mai Valley IBA, the project's goals, and its
scope. Likewise, Kiran Gosai, Research Associate of BCN facilitated the
group discussion of the workshop. Dhan Bahadur Khamdang,
Director of MOON moderated the program. The workshop
provided good base for the stakeholders to strategize and make informed
decision to conserve birds through sustainable enterprising in
Sandakpur Rural Municipality.