In the heart of Kandaghari (Kageswori Manohara Municipality), students of New Star Pole English School have turned curiosity into action. After finding two dead owls near their school, a simple discussion in class slowly grew into a powerful conservation movement. That moment led to the formation of the Kandaghari Owl Club.
The Environmental Science students of Classes 9 and 10, 44 students in total, came together with one goal. They wanted to understand why owls were dying and what they could do to protect them. Their interest grew even stronger when a Barn Owl was seen outside their classroom one day. That unexpected visit filled them with excitement and a sense of responsibility.
The club was formed to create awareness about the presence and importance of owls in the region. Students are also researching the status of local owl species and working to protect them in coordination with different stakeholders.
So far, the students have carried out a survey in the area around the school. They spoke with local residents and shopkeepers to learn about their knowledge and views about owls. The responses helped students understand both awareness levels and common myths.
One of their major achievements was organizing Hoot Camp 2082 during the school’s Annual Day. More than 150 local people visited the camp. Students prepared informative stalls about owls around the world, the 23 owl species of Nepal, and the three species recorded in Kandaghari. They shared information about threats to owls, conservation efforts in Nepal and other countries, and the cultural and religious importance of owls. They also addressed common myths found in different societies.
Interactive games such as Owl Dice, Hoot Loop, and Hunt the Hunter made learning fun for visitors. At the end of the program, participants joined a signature campaign with a strong message: We love owls and we will protect the owls.
The club is also actively recording owl sightings in Kandaghari. Each observation includes details about species, location, and behavior. These records will help them understand local owl habitats better.
In the coming days, the club plans to conduct owl awareness sessions for students from Class 1 to Class 10. They are working on creating an Owl Map of Kandaghari to identify major habitats. They also plan to involve local residents in discussions, connect with the municipality for nesting projects, organize a Nepal Owl Festival in Kandaghari, and develop simple owl booklets for students.
Manit Thapa, Chairman of the Kandaghari Owl Club and a Class 10 student, shared his thoughts. “After doing some research, I realized that Kandaghari is a hub for owls. I felt sad thinking that future generations might not be able to see these beautiful birds. This club is not just a classroom project. It is the voice of young people. It should continue with our juniors and speak for every bird and animal.”
The school leadership fully supports the initiative. Rajib Kharel Sharma, the Principal of the school expressed pride in the students’ efforts. “The night sky of Kandaghari is not silent. Many have heard owl calls, but few have tried to understand them. I am proud that our students took the initiative. The best time to build conservation values is when children are young and curious.”
The students were inspired by their participation in the Nepal Owl Festival art competition organized by Friends of Nature in 2023. They have also learned from conservation updates shared online and from the works of Raju Acharya, whom they proudly call The Owl Man of Nepal.
What started with two silent losses has now become a strong student movement. Through research, awareness, and community engagement, the Kandaghari Owl Club is proving that young minds can lead meaningful change for wildlife conservation.
Photographs: New Star Pole English School
