The Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU) conducted a "Bird Survey and Research Technique Training" with financial support from the Toledo Zoo. The training commenced on December 3rd and concluded on December 9th, 2024, at Sitara Resort, located on the Narayani riverbank in the Nawalparasi-East district. The training covered major topics, including theoretical and practical aspects of bird identification and survey techniques, specifically the Mackinnon method and point count method. Discussions also encompassed the status and trends of birds in Nepal, the importance of bird research and data recording in Nepal, and the Wetland Bird Census and data entry methods, which included practical application using boats in the Narayani River. Furthermore, the training addressed the natural history of pheasants, their economic and ecological importance, and threats, along with pheasant survey techniques (both theory and practical). Additionally, a significant portion of the training focused on R package training.
Ten participants served as trainees. They were Birat Raj Rajak (NOU staff), Krishna Tamang (NOU intern), Puja Mahato (NOU intern), Dharmajit Saud (Rara National Park Ranger), Bishal Khanal (IOF Hetauda Campus student), Dristant Bidari (IOF Hetauda Campus student), Praju Thapa (IOF Kathmandu Forestry College student), Madhu Chaudhari (TUZDZ student), Shree Krishna Devkota (TUZDZ student), and Yogendra Rana (TUZDZ student). The instructors for the training were Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Hathan Ram Mahato, Suraj Baral, and Seejan Gyawali. The overall secretarial work was done by the NOU admin associate Babita Paudyal.
The Birds Nepal, the Pokhara Bird Society, and the Meghauli Ghatgain Nature Guide Association provided local technical support during the practical session. The volunteers were Puja Mahato, Roshan Mahato, and Suresh Mahato.