My colleague Dev Narayan Mandal, Founder of Mithila Wildlife Trust, has just been visiting our first afforestation project in south Nepal that we implemented in 2020. The project involved planting saplings in a former river bed, an initiative funded by the McGough Foundation in the UK and implemented in conjunction with the local Division Forestry Office. No one believed that anything would grow there but Dev and the workers from the Community Forest User Group achieved a 93% sapling survival rate against the odds. And on this latest visit, Dev was delighted to spot a female Black Francolin and three juveniles, pictured above. Although fairly widespread around the world, these are as rare as hen’s teeth in Nepal. It’s fabulous to see that they are breeding in this restored habitat.
In December 2021 we upped our game by introducing the Miyawaki Method of rapid reforestation to Nepal with our launching the Dhanushadham Bird Park project. Using this method, trees grow ten times faster than those planted conventionally. In just three and a half years, we have converted what had been exhausted community fields into thriving forests. And a wide range of birds have moved in just as quickly! On his latest visit to the Bird Park Dev was pleased to photograph these Indian silverbills and Lesser whistling ducks for the first time in this locality. All new bird species are most welcome!
Indian silverbills maintaining 360 degree vision
One of 28 Indian silverbills spotted by Dev
Two of the three Lesser whistling ducks that were seen in the field next to our Bird Park
Now – we have a pressing need. Can you help us sustain our environmental restoration work in Nepal? We are achieving this through The Big Give online fundraising platform with the next big online campaign running between 2nd and 9th December. During that time, all donations automatically double in value on the basis of matching pledges that we have put in place before the campaign launches. We have to get all of those pledges secured by 5p.m. BST 29th August and we’re currently £1,049 short of our £25,000 matching pledge target. We know of a £500 pledge that’s about to be registered, so, can you help us with the a pledge towards the final £549? The minimum pledge is £100, a figure set by The Big Give.
If you can support our work in this way, please just go to this link and record the pledge. There is no need to send us any funds until after the online phase of the campaign ends on the 9th December.
Thank you.
