Hem Sagar on the Beauty of Birds and Bird Watching

#Ep.036

Kathmandu has evolved drastically in the past few decades. A bird’s eye view of the valley would find aggregates of concrete where the lush canopy once domineered. While Kathmandu’s urbanization gave way to socio-economic development, its native wildlife has been increasingly marginalized. This has been reflected, among other things, in the sharp decline of migratory birds visiting Kathmandu in the past 20 years. 

In this episode, PEI’s Dheeraj and Hem Sagar Baral talk about the Beauty of Birds and Bird Watching. They begin with exploring the art of bird watching and the immense opportunity for it in Nepal. The two then fondly recount their experience as avid bird watchers and observe the changes they have observed especially the population decline. They discuss urbanization and climate change as main deterrents and consider what can be done to mitigate their effects to restore avian life and diversity.

Hem Sagar Baral is an ornithologist with a Ph.D. in Bird Ecology from the University of Amsterdam and has been involved in wildlife conservation for nearly three decades popularizing public engagement and appreciation. He is the Country Director of the Zoological Society of London, Nepal where he leads multiple wildlife conservation projects, charities, and research. 

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