Right Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai highlighted the need for saving birds like Stork and Vultures to safeguard the environment on the occasion of Tamu (Gurung) New Year celebration at Tudikhel on 30 December 2011.   The Prime Minister emphasized that vultures are disappearing rapidly from South Asia due to the use of veterinary drug diclofenac  which has been used for treatment of sick cattle.   Besides cultural value, the Gurung New Year festival also carries message for environment and biodiversity conservation as the time is divided in cycle of 12 years, passing through symbols of 12 animals for each year. The Tamu Lochhar this yearmarked the end of Cat year and beginning of Stork/Vulture year. Dr. Bhattaraiexpressed that this festival is not only important to preserve the diverse culture but also significant in spreading importance of species conservation like for this year the important role of vultures in ecosystem management.

Professor Ganesh Man Gurung, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Tribhuvan University, Nepal also highlighted the importance of vulture conservation in Nepali culture and appreciated the work of BCN for bird and biodiversity conservation in Nepal.