Asian Woollyneck (Ciconia episcopus) is globally distributed in South and South-East Asia. In Nepal, it has been recorded from Suklaphanta National Park (Baral and Inskipp, 2009) in far-west to Birtamod, Jhapa District (Halberg 1994) in the far-east (Inskipp et al, 2016). Limited data is available about breeding biology of Asian Woollyneck, and given that the species is Vulnerable (BirdLife International, 2016), hence studies on its ecology are necessary to implement sound conservation measures. This project is designed to understand the nesting habitat and ecology of Asian Woollyneck and to encourage organized efforts at local level. This project will be carried out in two unexplored district of mid hills of Nepal; Pyuthan and Arghakhanchi.

The major river system of the study area are Jhimruk Khola , Madi Khola, Bangi khola, Bangsari Khola, Banganga Khola and lakes of the district are Thada lake and Sengleng lake with other small permanent and temporary river and stream system. One Important Birds and Biodiversity Area (IBA), Argha is located in the project site. Its alluvial plain is intensively planted with rice during the summer and monsoon. The available lowland, wetlands along with the suitable climatic conditions and abundance of marshy lands in the study area play crucial roles for the existence of nests of Asian Woollyneck in this region.

This project will contribute in ecological study of this species and specific conservation intervention. Scientific documentation of nesting habitat and behaviour will be done through this project. The capacity building, bird identification and monitoring workshop with communities around nesting locality will be conducted to encourage locals to take stewardship of the bird conservation. “Science and Community” campaign will be conducted to bring science closer to community while “Asian Woollyneck photo bank campaign” will aid to gather national concern for the conservation of this species.