Tulsi Ram Subedi
Other projects
29 Sep 2008
Habitat, Status and Conservation of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal
29 Jan 2014
Raptor Migration Study and Conservation Camps Along the Migration Corridor and Wintering Ground in Nepal
25 Jan 2016
Understanding the Proximate Cause of Population Declines on the Population of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in the Annapurna Range of Nepal
Bearded Vulture is a globally Near-threatened species due to continue population declines. Study showed that collision with powerlines, poisoning and human persecution are the major threats in Nepal, where it is considered Vulnerable. In our previous study we identified, Bearded Vultures forage in vast ranges of the mountains with over 70% foraging area lies outside protected areas systems that makes the species prone to anthropogenic threats (Subedi et al. 2019). In this project, we aim to use movement data from 11 GPS tracked Bearded Vultures to identify key areas for this species in Nepal; in those areas, we then conduct carcass monitoring to identify the most lethal powerlines and questionnaire surveys to identify the common causes of poisoning and human persecution. Using these data, we plan to engage powerlines companies and community fora to develop effective mitigation plans to counter these threats.
Injured Peregrine Falcon by electric poles found during the survey period in lower Dhampus.
Owing to ongoing moderately rapid population declines of Bearded Vulture (BV) in the last three generations (53.4 years), this species is now listed as a near-threatened species in the IUCN Red List (BirdLife, 2019) and nationally vulnerable species in Nepal (Inskipp et al. 2016). Movement information from GPS tracked BV and other raptors such as Mountain Hawk Eagle showed they are highly vulnerable to the electrocution and collision with the powerlines as we recently lost at least three individuals. Our study also showed BVs forage over vast mountain ranges of Nepal with over 70% of their ranges lying outside the protected area systems that make the species impacted notably from other anthropogenic threats such as human persecution and unintentional poisoning (Subedi 2018, Subedi et al. 2018, 2019).
The goal of this project is to use GPS tracking data of Bearded Vulture and other raptors to obtain information on threat intensities in key foraging areas for them, and then to tackle these threats effectively. To achieve this goal, first we aim to conduct powerlines surveys for birds’ carcasses and questionnaires with local communities within the home ranges of Bearded Vulture to determine the locations with high threats to Bearded Vulture and other raptors. Using the survey information from questionnaire and the powerlines (carcass counts of raptors), we then aim to understand the drivers of poisoning and identify the most lethal powerlines. To address these threats, we will subsequently engage with powerlines companies and conduct community fora to effectively mitigate those threats. This will include retrofitting power lines that kill many vultures and other raptors, to prevent further electrocutions; as well as reducing the drivers of poisoning such as by better protecting livestock from carnivores. In doing so, we strive to reduce the mortality from electrocution and poisoning in the key areas for BVs in Nepal by at least 50% within the next 3-4 years. As such, our project will support the implementation of Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture-MsAP) and Aichi Target of the Convention on Biological Diversity, with the objectives to conservation of biodiversity and enhancing the conservation benefit it provides to the people.