Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
The individual named above has applied for a Second Rufford Small Grant. We would be grateful
if you could give the Selection Panel your candid opinion about the applicant and work indicated
in the application below. Your reference will be one of the key factors we take into
account when assessing the application. It is vital that you tell us how you first met the
applicant and how long you have known them. Please also clarify if your contact with them has
only been via e-mail, skype, etc. or if you have actually met them in person.
The Rufford Foundation seeks to fund people whose work makes a pragmatic, substantial and
long-lasting contribution to nature conservation. Such work often includes other elements such
as sustainable development, public education and environmental campaigning. Rufford Small
Grants are designed to provide accessible and flexible funding for those who want to bring about
change. Conservationists from any country working anywhere in the developing world are
welcome to apply. Projects in the First World will not normally be considered for funding.
Applicants are not restricted to qualified scientists, but must be able to compile a written report
to describe and quantify the success of their work with appropriate references. Undergraduate
and school level expeditions are not eligible. More information about the Rufford Foundation and
previous Award and Grant recipients may be found on the Foundation’s website at
www.rufford.org
Referees
Please write a reference giving your opinion about the pragmatic and long-lasting impact of the
work in question; the applicant’s ability to lead a team; the ability of the applicant and the team
to communicate the solution to the problem they are addressing; and any other information that
might help the Panel.
Successful candidates who apply for a Second Rufford Small Grant will receive up to £5000. We
would value your candid opinion about the applicant’s ability to absorb and spend such funding
with due responsibility.
Please submit your reference by email to the address given below. Emails should be
submitted from your institution email account. Unfortunately, references sent via web-
based services such as Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail can not be accepted.
ID
24781-2
Applicant
Prashant Ghimire
prashantghimire66@gmail.com
Grant type
Second Rufford Small Grant
Executive Summary
The Asian Woollyneck (Ciconia episcopus) is a Vulnerable stork globally distributed in
South and South-East Asia. The loss of tall nesting trees for breeding has increased the
vulnerability of the species. This project is designed to understand the nesting habitat and
ecology of Asian Woollyneck and to encourage organized efforts at local level.
Amount applied for
£4,991
Principal countries
Nepal
Category
Birds
Personal Details
Date of birth
7 Nov 1996
Gender
Male
Phone
+977-9843246237
Fax
Fax: +977-61-430387
Address
Institute of Forestry
Pokhara Campus
P.O Box: 43
Hariyokharka
Pokhara, Nepal
Postal code : 33700
Nationality
Nepal
Social Media
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/prashant.ghimire.3388
LinkedIn profile
Twitter username
Website or blog
http://www.iofpc.edu.np/
Biography
Education
Little Rose Boarding School-2012
Canvas International College-2012/14
Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus- 2014 onwards
Previous Work
I have taken “Bird Identification training”. Along with this, I’ve been involved in various bird
monitoring activities such as Mid-winter water fowl census. I’ve worked as a Principle
instructor in “Education Garden for own future” campaign in Banke National Park which
was funded by WWF Nepal. I have initiated scientific research and conservation of Asian
Woollyneck (Ciconia episcopus) in Nepal which was funded by Rufford Foundation. To
understand status of Asian Woolly Neck stork i made preliminary survey in Nawalparasi,
Dang and Kanchanpur district in lowlands and Dhading district in mid hills. I have
participated in various bird survey and awareness campaign in different part of Nepal.
Publication:
1) Ghimire, P, Bist, BS, Panthee, S Aryal, B, Sharma, B,Pandey, N (2017).Spot billed Pelican
Pelecanus philippensis from Gaidahawa lake, Rupandehi district, Nepal. (Accepted for
publication by Indian Birds)
2) Ghimire, P,Khanal, C, Ghimire, M, Poudyal, LP, Bist BS, Panthee, S, Sharma, S (2017) .
Recording of Black Necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) in Lumbini wetlands, Nepal.
(Accepted for publication by BirdingAsia)
3) Bist BS, Paudel S, Ghimire P, Bhattarai S, Sharma B, Subedi A, Khanal C, KC JK and
Pokhreal CP (2017) Mammals: The Jewels of Banpale Forest, Kaski District, Nepal. J
Biodivers Endanger Species 5: 191. doi: 10.4172/2332-2543.1000191
Book:
4) Joshi, GK, Bist, BS, Ghimire, P (2017). Human Elephant Conflict (A Case study from
Suklaphanta National Park). Published in Scholars’ Press. http://www.scholars-press.com/
Current Work
Future Plans
I am forestry student studying with the purpose of conserving environment and its
components. "Conservation for all, and Forever" is the theme that i have adopted to
disseminate conservation literacy at grass root level. In conservation sector, I have
planned to upraise local conservational issues at global concern.
Further, no national survey of the Asian Woollyneck has been conducted yet. I want to
assess its current status and trace its national distribution. Focused on Asian Woollyneck, I
want to bring scientific insights on irregular movements of Asian Woollyneck towards high
altitudes using modern technologies such as GPS tagging. Summing up, I will be
concentrating on avian ecology its scientific conservation intervention at local level.
Organisation
Introduction to RF
via google
RF Conferences
Attending next RSG conference in Kathmandu, 29-30 January, Thamel Kathmadu
1. Background
There is little information about the nesting ecology of Asian Woollyneck while there is no
documentation from Nepal. Very few nesting habitat has been identified till the day and none of
them have been monitored. On the one hand, while there is almost no information about its nest
site and ecology; There is exploitation of tall nesting trees which have increased the vulnerability
of the species. This will be the first nesting ecological study of Asian Woollyneck in Nepal and
should generate baseline information on nesting ecology which might help for its conservation.
At this mean time, this project will contribute in ecological study of this species and specific
conservation intervention. Firstly nesting habitat of the species will be identified and marked.
Identified habitat will be under close observation and any exploitation and disturbance to these
habitats will be either prevented or minimized. This will aid in sustaining the population of the
species. At the same time, local people will be educated about the importance of this bird in their
locality.
This project is designed for the scientific documentation of the species along with long term
conservation practices. For the long term conservation of any species local communities should
be committed to work alongside scientific findings. Hence, a bridge will be built to connect
scientific findings and local communities. The capacity building, bird identification and
monitoring workshop with communities around nesting locality should encourage locals to take
stewardship of the bird conservation. This should result in scientific, organized and collaborative
efforts at a local level producing citizen scientists.
2. Project Activities
Pyuthan district (28.1017° N, 82.8533° E), a part of Rapti zone , covers an area of 1,309 km². It
borders Dang Deukhuri District to the southwest along the crest of the Mahabharat Range. The
valley of Jhimruk Khola is the core of Pyuthan district. On the southeast Pyuthan borders
Arghakhanchi. Arghakhanchi (27'45"N and 28'6" N latitude, and 80'45" E to 83'23" E longitude)
covers an area of 1,193 km². 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), Arghakhanchhi is located in the project site. Its
alluvial plain is intensively planted with rice during the summer and monsoon. Elevations range
of study area is from 305 m to 3640 m above sea level. 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. Previously, we had
located two nests of Asian Woollyneck from the study site and locals informed us that one
nesting tree has been cut down. The available nesting sites, potentiality and their vulnerability
encouraged us to choose this area as our study site. Wetland degradation, reduction of nesting
trees and anthropogenic activities such as use of pesticides in farmlands and hunting are
abundant. Lower environmental literacy have barred local participation on conservation
activities. So, we selected this area of western mid hills of Nepal to achieve our objectives
smoothly and effectively.
2.2 Fieldwork
The project require one year to achieve its objectives.30 days for preliminary survey and key
informant interview. 90 days will be spent for seasonal monitoring, Seasonal monitoring of
nesting sites will be done in each three season. 60 % of the project schedule is made for an
awareness campaign and will be spent with the local community to encourage them for long
term conservation practices.
3. Methods
3.2 Reasoning
For nesting identification direct field survey will be conducted which is necessary to collect any
scientific information. Road transect will be used as the field method. At its simplest, a road
transect involves traveling a predetermined route and recording birds on either side of the
observer. Road transect will minimize the double counting of the species and birds are less likely
to be attracted to a moving observer than a stationary one. By moving all the time it is possible
to cover large areas and generate large sample sizes more efficiently than when using other
more elaborate methods such as point counts. Habitat parameter study will be done through
understanding environmental variables around the nesting sites. This methods was also followed
for other storks by Rahmani et al. 2004, Karki and Thapa, 2013. As Asian Woollynecks are
observed in pairs or singly and only rarely in large flocks, it is suitable to use continuous
sampling which is most suitable to understand nesting behavior as given by Altmann, 1974.
During an informal discussion with communities around some identified nesting sites, it was
known that most of the community doesn’t know about the importance of birds in environment
and their locality. Hence, this project is designed to educate people and encourage to adopt long
term conservation practices. For this reason we have decided to have discussion programs that
could bring science more closer to society. National population status and distribution of this bird
is not properly assessed. So, the Asian Woollyneck photo bank campaign is being initiated to
make its conservation a national concern. No information about the species is available besides
the poster we distributed during our last project. So, leaflets must be published and distributed
at grass root level to familiarize people with this stork.
4. Conservation Benefits
As study of nesting ecology of this species has not been carried out previously in Asia, this will be
a pioneer project. The findings of this project will be from a science perspective hence future
scientific intervention for species conservation or ecosystem sustenance, outcome should have
high value. Influencing habitat parameters will be known which will be useful for proper
conservational intervention. On the other hand, nesting habitat selection in two different
physiographic regions i.e. lowlands (which has already been identified during our last survey)
and the mid-hills will be compared. Preferred habitat for nesting will be extracted and predicted
in new area which will aid in conservation of species. Moreover, local people will be involved
together for conservation of the birds and their habitat which should pave the pathway for long
term conservation. The workshop with local people will motivate and multiply their efforts for
conservation and minimize anthropogenic threats on wetlands species.
This project produces baseline data for nesting habitat selection and ecology of Asian Woollyneck
in the mid hills of Nepal on the base of which future conservation program will be initiated. The
sound well-being of storks, which fall under the family Ciconiidae are signs of healthy wetlands.
The life cycle of these storks is completed in wetlands, agricultural lands and marshy habitat.
The species feeds on molluscs, fishes, reptiles and amphibians. Thus, the conservation
approaches of Asian Woollyneck will aid other wetland dependent species along with associated
ecosystem. Moreover, local people will be involved together for conservation of the birds and
their habitat which should pave the pathway for long term conservation.
The project site i.e Pyuthan and Arghakhanchi are known very little from ornithological
standpoints. This project will explore and elaborate importance and threats prevailing locally.
Asian Woollyneck (Ciconia episcopus) is a globally threatened Vulnerable bird. It is a wetland and
farmland dependent species distributed in small patches throughout the country. It is found
outside protected areas and close to human settlements. Effective protection outside protected
areas is lacking. The status of wetland dependent birds needs constant monitoring because of a
naturally fluctuating environment and permissive attitudes towards illegal activities likely to
negatively affect population dynamics of threatened species.
Yet, very little is known about the breeding ecology of the Asian Woollyneck and previous study
has focused on status. Our previous project in lowlands depicted the wetland degradation and
nesting tree reduction as main threat to the species. In the mid hills, tall nesting trees suitable
for the nesting are declining. We found decline of a nesting sites previously in our visit. So,
nesting conservation is necessary for existence of this species. This will be the first specified
study on the nesting ecology Asian Woollyneck which will be the basement for the national and
global actions toward the conservation of this species. This is global concern to have study of
those species which are under severe threats of extinction and too less scientific data. This
project will bring out unidentified and unknown scientific information about the species’ ecology
and behavior. Nesting habitat assessment will aid to understand environmental settings for
successful nesting of the species. Thus, on the basement of which conservation intervention can
be made. While the species is least studied Vulnerable stork, Asian Woollyneck Photo Bank
campaign will bring out the issue of this species to national concern so, that Government,
researcher and conservationist will give proper attention to this species.
5. Monitoring
5. Monitoring
The success of this project can be classified in three aspects
1) Achievement of determined objective
Meeting of the objectives efficiently will determine success of the project. Understanding nesting
ecology and ensuring nesting safety with local organized efforts are specified objectives of this
project. The micro habitat condition required by the species for successful nesting will be
understood after the completion of the project. People’s attention, favorable attitude and efforts
towards the conservation of this vulnerable bird will determine the success of the project.
2) Attention, attitude and Efforts
There is lack of awareness in the study area about this species. Asian Woollyneck hasn’t received
sufficient attention from avian researcher and conservationist. If we could bring issue of its
conservation to national and global concern then project will be fruitful. Future research and
conservation attempt of this species will determine the success. Bringing on attention of people
attaining their positive perception and upbringing organized efforts at local level will indicate
achievement. This will be understood by before and after Questionnaire.
3) Outcome and its Implications
The expected output of the project is maximum benefit to the desired species and community.
Continuation of conservation initiatives addresses the attainment of the project objectives. The
recommendations absorbed by the concern authority to design management plan on the desired
species should reflect effectiveness of this project. This can be determined by the response and
act of the authority after report submission.
Finally, the parallel balance of schedule, budget, scope and benefit depict the success of the
project.
My team include people from diverse field such as members of Bird Conservation Nepal, Pokhara
Bird Society, and Local green club member. Mr. Binamra Thapa, who have proficiency in GIS work
will be part of my team. Mr. Gaurav Raj Baral who have theoretical and field based experiences
regarding bird monitoring will work during the survey. Alongside Local people will be involved in
the different activities of the project. They will also be part of my team since they can guide me
throughout the area. Local media person will be part of this project to highlight the project
activities and increase local participation. Students of environmental science, zoology or Forestry
will be taken as assistant to undertake this project. It will advance their skills and technique in
ornithology which can be milestone for their own career. Thus, i expect them to stand up next
with another conservation issue in their own locality.
6.3 Links
The project will be carried out in collaboration with Bird conservation Nepal, Pokhara Bird Society,
Green Lumbini Campaign Team, Local youth clubs, Community based organization, Local media
and other concern authority as per need of the project. I have been in contact with senior
program officer of Bird Conservation Nepal Mr. Jyotendra Jyu Thakuri regarding implementation of
the project. I have been working with local green clubs in various program and in good influence
among media personal of the area. I have plan to take them together for effective
implementation of project. The major objective will be to mobilize community based
organizations (CBO’s) effectively and work together for the completion of this project.
Funding
Notes to budget
1. Travel Expenses:[ Two way from Pokhara to Pyuthan (Data collection centre) (Researcher and
Co-investigator 4 times 4 x 3 X £ 5 = 60 and Transportation from and to (include internal also for
a years) = 100 (Bit expensive than our previous project because of geography and roads) ] =
160
3. Publication cost:[ leaflet (£ 1 *500), T shirts (£ 8*30), banner (£ 7*8)= £56 ] = £ 796
4. Stationery [= £ 50, Cost of Binoculars, GPS, spotting scope Projector and Other = £95 ] = £
145
5. Asian Woollyneck Photo bank campaign [(Inauguration and Promotion = £ 200 , Certificate =
60 * £ 1 and Awards = 2* £ 20) ] = £ 300
6. Field Subsistence [ (Lodging and fooding for investigator and Co-investigator) for 185 days = £
5 per day * 2 Person* 185 days = 1850 (Bit expensive than our previous project because it is
mid-hill)] = £ 1850
7. Snacks for Participants [ ( Influential People only) during interactive camps in schools and
community (Cost include interactive camps such as “Science and Society”) = 15 days * 50
person * £1.5 ] = £1125
8. Allowance for local resource person [ 1 person * £3 per day * 40 days = 120 ] = £ 120
9. Photo exhibition cost [ (Include printing photos, hiring stands)] : £160, Program halls and
Media coverage for each conservation programs £185 ] = £ 345
10. Draft Report and final report preparation; [ Printing, Photocopy, Posting Charge ] = £ 85
11. Miscellaneous Cost [(Communication, Repairing of Equipment and unavoidable costs) ] = £
65
•Video Tapes ( Video film on Bird Conservation will be requested free of cost from Bird
Conservation and other organization)
Exchange rate £1 = NRs. 138.21
External funding
Referees
Name
Mr. Laxman Prasad Poudyal
Email
laxman@dnpwc.gov.np
Position
Chief Ecologist, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
Institution
www.dnpwc.gov.np
Address
Babarmahal, Kathmandu
+977-9851023010
Name
Dr. Hem Sagar Baral
Email
hem.baral@zsl.org
Position
Country Manager, Nepal . Zoological Society of London
Institution
www.zsl.org
Address
Name
Mrs. Carol Inskipp
Email
carol.inskipp@btinternet.com
Position
Senior Ornithologist and Bird Conservationist with a special interest in Nepal, Patron and
Trustee of Himalayan Nature, Nepal
Institution
http://himalayannature.org/
Address