Why is Nepal Important for Raptors?

• Nepal has rich raptor diversity.
• It includes significantly important habitats for raptors including wetlands, farmlands, grasslands, woodlands, and mountains.
• Seven out of 10 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in the world that support significant species of threatened raptors and six out of 10 IBAs important for declining raptors are found in Nepal.
• These include Chitwan National Park (including Barandabar forest and wetland IBA), Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Bardia National Park, Shukla Phanta National Park, Annapurna Conservation Area and Lumbini Farmlands.

Foothills of the Himalayas are used by over 30 species of raptors (including thousands of globally Endangered Steppe Eagles and Himalayan Vulture) as a flyway to reach their wintering ground to the south.

Over 25 species of raptors use the southern belt of Nepal as a wintering ground.

1. Protect forest and natural habitats.
2. Only use safe drugs on livestock/husbandry management to prevent raptors from unintentional poisoning.
3. Promote organic farming and control over-use of pesticides.
4. Use environment-friendly technologies to stop climate change.
5. Conserve nesting sites, roosting sites, feeding grounds and wintering sites.
6. Spread awareness and education on raptor conservation.
7. Use proper mitigation measures while planning development projects including powerlines.
8. Prevent over-exploitation of natural resources.
9. Provide useful information about the raptors (sightings of rare species, breeding sites, threat-causing activities etc.) to conservation organizations or Himalayan Raptors.