I was once a FOZ member!!

I was then in grade seven when I first heard about FOZ (Friends of Zoo) membership from our class teacher Mr. Sahay. He had been involving with the only zoo of Nepal, Central Zoo for a while. Our school, Shikhar Boarding High School (Now Omega International School) was in walking distance to Central Zoo. I and several of my friends paid one hundred fifty rupees as a membership fee and we had to pay hundred rupees for renewal of our membership annually.

Central zoo used to organize different awareness programs, competitions (essay,quiz,art etc),night tours, animal feeding programs, animal health checkup programs, bird identification programs, summer day camp, winter day camp and many more for FOZ members. And on June 5 i.e. on World Environment Day, zoo used to organize a march including all members from different schools, local organizations, environmental organizations around Lalitpur city with huge banners and slogans.

 Well!! that used to be quite a day. The march was led by Pawankali, the elephant and is still led by her nowadays as well. June 5 is kind of annual day of Zoo because the winners of different competition are also awarded on that day. The march generally concludes to a huge gathering/conference in Jawalakhel Football Ground.

                          

I had some wonderful time those days. Our school actively participated in the programs organized by the zoo. I attended Solid waste Management program conducted by FOZ as my first participation. Animal feeding programs still strike my mind, the day we wore aprons to prepare food, weigh food and fed animals.Oh!!  and I still remember throwing fishes at the pelicans' mouth. Night tour in zoo was simply awesome.Those boring animals which used to sleep during daytime, sprung into life at night.I bet you have never seen the hyenas which you often see dozing off at noon, literally laughing at night. It was really intriguing when you see clouded leopard growling and porcupines playing with each other and that's the sight we rarely observe during day visit in zoo.The clean up program in Gharial enclosure was one heck of exhilarating experience.Also,I regularly represented my school  in different competitions especially in essay and quiz competition. Honestly, I was not good in quiz contest as I got knocked out twice in first round. However, I secured second position in wildlife essay competition which was about Sarus crane (Grus antigone). For your information, sarus is an endangered bird species and is protected by Nepal Government.It is also the largest flying bird in Nepal.Also, I had a faint glimpse of  sarus in wild during visit to Peace Stupa in Lumbini; it was really a foggy morning. Mr Sahay pushed me really hard for this competition and I didn't disappoint him. I went zoo,collected information about sarus,keenly observed its behavior and took notes from internet as well. Despite of my debut research, I was only able to secure second position.(So sad!!).Anyways, it was really a pleasant moment when I walked to the stage to achieve my award in front of such a huge mass. And it  felt really good and I can still remember the humble grim on the face of Mr.Chandra Man Shakya, our principal.

                                       

In the nutshell, I would like to thank FOZ for triggering my interest in wildlife and its conservation.Their programs have really paved a distinct path in my memory lane and the experiences I have achieved from their programs will certainly guide me in my journey. Finally, I am proud to say that I was once a FOZ member!!

                             

Birds found around Kathmandu University,Dhulikhel,Nepal

Kathmandu University(KU) is located in a mountainous landscape in Dhulikhel Municipality about 30 kilometers east of Kathmandu having round-the-year pleasant climate and panoramic mountain views, built up in space of 46,846 square meters.There are abundant trees and shrubs in the slope around buildings of KU and its surrounding which provide ample habitat for different species of birds(either seasonal visitor or residential). Here is the list of birds that are found in the vicinity of Kathmandu University.

Common Name Nepali Name Scientific Name Pigeon Parewa Columba livia House sparrow Bhangera Passer domesticus Tree sparrow Bhangera Passer montanus House crow Kaag Corvus splendids Raven Jangali Kaag Corvus corax Barn swallow Gauthali Hirundo rustica Common mynah Rupi Acridotheres tristis Wild mynah Jangali rupi Acridotheres fuscus Red vented bulbul Jureli Pycnonotus cafer Black drongo Kalo chibe Dicrurus macrocercus Long tailed shrike Bhadrai Lanius schach Hoopoe Faafre Upupa epops Asian magpie robin Dhobini chara Copsychus saularis Cattle egret Bakulla Bubulcus ibis Black kite Chil Milvus migrans Eurasian collared dove Kanthe dhukur Streptopelia decaocto Spotted dove Kurle dhukur Spilopelia chinensis Rose ringed parakeet Kanthe suga Psittacula krameri Common koel Koili Eudynamys scolopaceus Indian cuckoo Kaafal paakyo  Cuculus micropterus Stork billed kingfisher Thulo maatokore Pelargopsis capensis Red billed blue magpie Nilo laampucchre Urocissa erythrorhyncha Great tit Chichilkote Parus major Stonechat Jhekjhek jhyapsi Saxicola maurus Warbler Fisto Basileuterus griseiceps Tailor bird Damai chara/Paatsiune fisto Orthotomus sutorius Barn owl Laatokosero Tyto alba Blue throated barbet Kuthurke Megalaima asiatica Steppe eagle Steppe chil Aquila nipalensis
Hoopoe Red-vented bulbul (Note: Images are abstracted from internet)

 

Langtang diary...

Bus was swerving on the road to Kalikasthan and then we had our hearts to our mouth while reaching to Dhunche. But my eyes were eagerly searching for any sign of wildlife.My one and only dream was to see a Red Panda in this trek.You've to be very lucky and which i was not in this case.Some of the major spotting of wildlife in this trek.
First spotting: As soon as we reach Langtang Buffer zone checkpoint,we were blessed with the sight of Kalij (Lophura leucomelanos).

Second spotting: After a long trek,near Ghoda Tabela,we spotted a group of Langurs(Semnopithecus entellus) hanging from branch to branch with their long arms and tails.Langurs were spotted more than once in this trek.
Third spotting:Lammergeier or Bearded vulture(Gypaetus barbatus) gliding above Kyanjin Gompa area with long wings and golden body was really majestic.
Fourth spotting: While returning from Kyanjin to Langtang Valley, a small Royle's Pika (Ochotona roylei) crossed our way.
Fifth spotting: In the dense jungle after Bambo village, we were blessed with the sighting of Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjac).
Other spottings: Many birds were seen which were as small as a thumb (Warblers) to a most common bird i.e. black bird with reddish beak(Choughs).Plumbeous water redstarts were commonly seen at the riverbanks on the trek trail.Thrushes and babblers, fantails were also seen. Yaks and horses, mostly domestic were also observed.
Overall, this trek was a great experience in my life and it was really fun place to be especially for nature lovers.

(photos are taken from internet.)