KATHMANDU, NEPAL, on 28 April 2026. The Natural History Museum (NHM) of Tribhuvan University and the Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU) officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This strategic partnership establishes a formal framework for collaboration in research, conservation, and education on birds across Nepal.
The agreement was signed in Kathmandu by Ishan Gautam, NHM Chief, and Hathan Ram Mahato, President of the NOU.
The Natural History Museum (NHM)—a principal academic institution under Tribhuvan University and the CITES scientific authority for fauna in Nepal—and the Nepalese Ornithological Union (NOU), a leading professional body for avian research, have committed to a formal partnership. Together, they will work to preserve Nepal’s natural history and promote public awareness of bird biodiversity through scientific documentation and conservation efforts.
Key objectives of the five-year agreement include:
- Joint Research: Collaborating on ecological surveys and documentation of Nepal’s bird diversity.
- Species Protection: Supporting both in-situ (habitat-based) and ex-situ conservation efforts for threatened bird species.
- Capacity Building and awareness: Enhancing the skills of conservationists through workshops, field activities, and expanding public educational outreach regarding birds and their natural history.
- Knowledge and Data Exchange: Establishing an exchange of scientific data and publications to inform national conservation policies while facilitating the organization of professional gatherings such as seminars and conferences.
According to the MOU, the NHM will provide institutional and research facilities to support joint initiatives, and the NOU will contribute technical expertise in ornithology and lead intensive field research and surveys. Recognizing their mutual strengths, both organizations share a common goal in ornithology through collaborative research, conservation, and education.