Pokhara, September 2

A photo exhibition along with a school-level painting competition was organised in Pokhara today on the occasion of ninth International Vulture Awareness Day.

The programme hosted by Pokhara Bird Society was held on the premises of Nepal Tourism Board had the photos of various rare and endangered species of vulture on display, while young painters from various schools took part in the painting competition held on the theme of vulture conservation.

The exhibition had 40 photos of vultures, along with information on the importance of the bird species in ecosystem, reasons for their extinction and possible steps to be taken to conserve the bird. Of the 23 species of vultures found in the world, nine are found in South Asian countries. Photo journalists Krishnamani Baral, journalist Ram Gurung, PBS chair Manshanta Ghimire and secretary Hemanta Dhakal participated in the exhibition. According to Dhakal, around 300 visitors, including students, attended the exhibition.

According to PBS chair Ghimire, there will be a vulture conservation rally as a part of the awareness campaign that will last for a week. “Vulture is often known as the nature’s waste manager but as they are now on the verge of extinction. The event aimed to increase people’s participation in the protection of the bird,” said journalist Baral.

The Day was first marked in 2009. As per data, vulture’s population has reduced by over 90 per cent in the past two decades. In the painting contest, Kapil Bastola of Western Regional Secondary School of Pokhara stood first, while Namrata Poudel of St. Mary’s Secondary School and Manjil Ranabhat of Kantipur Academy bagged second and third   positions respectively.