Ghorahi (Dang), April 28
In a bid to conserve an endangered bird species—the owl—a two-day festival is being organised in Lamahi, Dang. The Owl Festival will be held at the Biodiversity Park in Lamahi on May 1–2. The Ajammari Community Forest Users’ Group of Lamahi and Prakitika Sathiharu, an organisation based in Kathmandu, are jointly organising the event. The festival aims to promote the conservation of owls, which are considered friends of farmers.
This is the first time such a festival has been organised in Dang district, according to Raju Acharya, Director of Prakitika Sathiharu. He stressed the urgency of raising public awareness to curb poaching and the illegal trade of owls. The Eurasian barn owl is listed as an endangered species.
The event also seeks to raise awareness about biodiversity and the need to strengthen conservation initiatives to maintain environmental balance. Acharya noted that similar festivals were previously held in Dhading, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Gorkha, Kaski, Kapilvastu, Dolakha and Khotang districts.
Pavan Sharma Rijal, Chairperson of the Ajammari Community Forest Users’ Group, said local people would be given orientation on how they can contribute to protecting these valuable birds. Habitat loss due to modern construction and deforestation is posing a serious threat to owl populations.
The two-day festival will feature birdwatching, a mini museum, a robot exhibition, and documentary screenings. Traditional games of the indigenous Tharu, Magar and Kumal communities will also be showcased during the event.
Although owls are found across Nepal—from the southern plains to the mountains—the exact population of the species remains unknown. Hunting and trading owls are illegal in Nepal. Offenders face fines ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 and imprisonment from six to 12 months.
Globally, there are an estimated 23 species of owls. In Nepal, out of 886 recorded bird species, 39—including owls—are listed as endangered.
