Bhairahawa, Nov 26

Rupandehi’s Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality has declared sarus crane the official bird of the municipality.

A sarus crane conference jointly organised in Lumbini by Lumbini Development Fund, Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality and Nepal Birds’ Conservation Association and Crane Foundation made the declaration today.

On the occasion, LDF pledged to organise such bird conferences in Lumbini every year. “As the bird species is found in greater number in Lumbini than elsewhere in the country, and since there is a connection between the bird species and Lord Buddha, we decided to hold a conference here,” said LDF Vice-chair Bhikshu Maitye.

To protect the bird species, LDF had placed a ban on hunting sarus crane and its eggs in Lumbini region about two decades ago. According Nepal Birds Conservation Association, the number of sarus cranes has increased of late.

While three farmers were honoured for supporting conservation efforts of the bird by allowing the sarus crane to roam in their fields, a painting competition was also held to encourage conservation of the bird.

A total of 40 painters from 20 schools took part in the competition. The painter who stood first got Rs 7,000 cash prize, the second and third participants got Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively.