A three-day "Asian Waterbird Census Nepal 4th National Site Coordinators Workshop" was organized in Nawalparasi East from December 7th to 9th, 2024. Financial support was provided by “Birds Nepal.” A total of 50 participants, including site coordinators, participated in the program. The workshop commenced with a warm welcome from Manshanta Ghimire, the Treasurer of the Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU), followed by a comprehensive overview of the program by Laxman Prasad Poudyal, the NOU Executive Director. The event was graced by the presence of the District Forest Officer, the Chitwan National Park Conservation Officer, AWC Coordinator Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, the Ward Chair, and other esteemed participants.
Dr. Hem Sagar Baral provided valuable insights into the 22-year journey of the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in Nepal, spanning from 2002 to 2024. Subsequently, a comprehensive training session on field data collection techniques was conducted by Hathan Chaudhary, the Chair of the Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU). Drishtant Bidari supported Hathan Chaudhary for discussion. The training underscored the critical importance of accurate and consistent data collection methods. To solidify their understanding, all participants engaged in a field trip to the Narayani River, where they had the opportunity to observe and identify 20 diverse species of waterbirds. Following the field excursion, participants were guided through the process of accurately inputting the collected data into the designated forms.
The workshop concluded on December 9th, 2024, with a formal handover ceremony where Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, the outgoing coordinator, officially transferred the accumulated data and documents to Laxman Prasad Poudyal, the newly appointed coordinator. This workshop served as a crucial platform to enhance the capacity of participants in the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) in Nepal and is anticipated to contribute significantly to long-term conservation efforts in the region.