Nepal’s students are leading a unique and impactful conservation campaign to protect owls, a species crucial to maintaining ecological balance. This initiative, launched in Gandaki Province, aims to transform harmful practices into responsible actions. A study conducted a few years ago revealed that students often used slingshots, plucked owl eggs, and caused distress to owls. To address these issues, the campaign was initiated with support from the Whitley Fund for Nature Award, received by conservationist Raju Acharya.
Since its launch, the campaign has reached 22 schools and engaged over 2,300 students, emphasizing the ecological importance of owls. Dedicated owl conservation envoys, including Keshav Sapkota, Balkumar Gurung, Sudarshan Parajuli, Ayush Dhungana, Jyoti Sharma, and Deepa Gurung, are at the forefront of this effort. They actively interact with students, encouraging them to adopt owl-friendly behaviors.
Keshav Sapkota shared his excitement about the campaign’s success, noting that many students have committed to giving up harmful practices like using slingshots. Sudarshan Parajuli added, “Talking to the students, I found them very energetic and optimistic. I am confident that the future is safe for owls in Nepal.”
The Whitley Award funds have facilitated a range of activities, including stakeholder discussions, awareness programs, slingshot control initiatives, capacity-building for owl envoys, old trees protection program and the distribution of artificial nests to support owl habitats.
Raju Acharya, the campaign’s visionary, highlighted the critical role owls play in maintaining ecological balance. “Owls do no harm to humans. They control rodent populations and hold cultural and religious significance. Protecting them benefits both the environment and humanity. We aim to spread this message widely, starting with students and extending it to the broader community,” he explained.
This campaign is not just about protecting owls—it is inspiring a new generation of conservationists. By instilling awareness and responsibility in students, Nepal is taking a significant step toward safeguarding its biodiversity.
