KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 27

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation have developed an Owl Conservation Action Plan (2020- 2029) with a view to ensuring viable population of owls and conserving their habitat through strategic actions and participatory approach.

The objectives of the action plan are to enhance the quality of habitat, promote scientific research to enhance knowledge, reduce illegal hunting and trade, sensitise stakeholders and build their capacity for long-term conservation of owls, and build partnership at local, national and international levels.

According to the action plan, owls in Nepal comprise two families (Tytonidae and Strigidae) and 23 species. Very little information is available on their ecology and status due to limited scientific research.

They are also illegally hunted and traded bird species in Nepal. The extent of their trade permeates to neighbouring countries too.

The conservation threats to the species of this group overlaps in the majority of cases, which include habitat loss, illegal hunting and trapping for meat and trade, traditional/ medicinal use of body parts and capturing for pet keeping.

In addition, owls suffer from pesticide use and low level of conservation awareness.

The total estimated cost for the plan is Rs 110,150,000.

The DoNPWC and Department of Forests and Soil Conservation will own the document and coordinate with different stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of this action plan.

In the recently developed federal structure, relevant provincial level government agencies such as Ministry of Industry, Tourism, the Ministry of Forests and Environment will have important roles in the implementation of this action plan. Local level governments will be coordinated with via Division Forest Office, Warden's Office and other conservation stakeholders, the action plan reads.

As per the action plan, the conservation measures outlined in the document will be applicable to regions within the country where owls are distributed. The action plan also encourages trans-boundary dialogue and collaboration to discuss the increasing illegal wildlife trade activities.

Illegal hunting and trade of owls have been recorded in Nepal and is one of the foremost threats to the species.

Nepal government has given legal protection to the owl species by provisioning penalties for people poaching such species or getting involved in their illegal trade. There is a provision of penalising the offenders with a fine ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 or an imprisonment of six months to one year or both.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 28, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.