2025 – Pokhara Bird Society (Summary)
Awareness Programs
This year, the Pokhara Bird Society celebrated International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) 2025 with activities similar to previous years. The celebration began with vulture-focused awareness programs held in three colleges, reaching approximately 400 students. These programs highlighted the ecological role of vultures, the threats they face, and the urgent need for their conservation. By engaging students directly, the Society aimed to inspire the next generation of conservationists and build a stronger foundation for long-term protection efforts.
Monitoring Activities
Alongside awareness initiatives, systematic vulture population monitoring was carried out on 6th September 2025. A total of 21 participants—including local bird lovers, nature guides, professional birdwatchers, university students, and researchers—took part in this survey. Monitoring was conducted simultaneously from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. across 14 identified hotspots spanning three districts in western Nepal: two in Manang, eight in Kaski, and four in Tanahu. Both direct observation methods and the mobile application Wing Watcher were used to collect reliable, standardized data on vulture species, numbers, and behaviors.
Nesting Records
Important nesting sites were documented during the survey. In Tanahu, 15 nests of White-rumped Vultures were recorded. In Kaski, one nest of the Critically Endangered Slender-billed Vulture and five nests of Egyptian Vultures were observed. These nesting records reinforce the importance of these districts as breeding grounds for globally threatened vulture species.
Monitoring Results
Across all monitoring sites, a total of 372 vulture individuals were recorded. This number was lower than last year’s count, possibly due to frequent rainfall that may have reduced vulture activity and visibility. Notably, Himalayan Vultures and Cinereous Vultures were observed in much smaller numbers compared to previous years. To address these uncertainties, follow-up monitoring has been scheduled for October and November 2025.
District-wise Results
| Species | Kaski | Mustang | Tanahau | |
| 1 | Bearded Vulture | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | Red-headed Vulture | 15 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | White-rumped Vulture | 45 | 0 | 39 |
| 4 | Indian Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Griffon Vulture | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Cinerous Vulture | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Slender-billed Vulture | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | Egyptian Vulture | 204 | 0 | 21 |
| 9 | Himalayan Vulture | 11 | 12 | 4 |
| Total | 282 | 15 | 75 |
Kaski (282 individuals), Tanahu (75 individuals), Manang (15 individuals)
Key Findings
Total of 372 vultures recorded from 14 hotspots across three districts. Significant nesting activity: 15 White-rumped Vulture nests, one Slender-billed Vulture nest, and five Egyptian Vulture nests. Egyptian Vulture was the most frequently recorded species, especially in Kaski. Lower counts of Himalayan and Cinereous Vultures compared to the previous year, possibly due to weather conditions.
Future Plans
The Pokhara Bird Society recognizes the importance of continuous and comparative data to understand population trends. To this end, additional monitoring sessions are planned in October and November 2025. These follow-ups will help clarify seasonal variations and strengthen conservation strategies. Soon PBS will tag 10 individulas of SBV.
Conclusion
Through its dual approach of awareness and scientific monitoring, the Pokhara Bird Society continues to contribute significantly to vulture conservation in Nepal. The involvement of students, researchers, and local communities not only builds capacity but also ensures that conservation messages reach a broad audience. Despite challenges such as declining counts of certain species, the identification of active nests and the engagement of diverse stakeholders are encouraging signs for the future of vulture conservation in the region.