KAWASOTI: The Jatayu Vulture Restaurant in Kawasoti, has been notable example of community-based vulture conservation.
The center operates through the collaboration of local communities, national organizations, and international partners, where conservation responsibilities are shared collectively. The initiative is led nationally by Bird Conservation Nepal and supported internationally by BirdLife International.
Local communities actively participate by reporting livestock deaths in nearby villages. Jatayu officials then inspect these carcasses for harmful substances like diclofenac before feeding them to vultures. This careful and scientific process has significantly reduced sudden vulture deaths in the region.
The program stresses community-led conservation, where residents, conservationists, and organizations work together with a common goal. This collaboration has established Kawasoti as a key hub for vulture protection in Nepal.
Nepal is home to nearly 900 bird species, highlighting its rich avian biodiversity. Around 80 species have been recorded just in the area surrounding Jatayu Vulture Restaurant, including both resident and migratory birds that visit during winter months. This makes Kawasoti a safe habitat and reliable food source for these birds.
The restaurant also provides a unique experience for tourists and wildlife photographers. A nearby photo hide allows visitors to observe vultures closely in their natural behavior.
The area shelters various vulture species, including the Red-headed, Egyptian, Himalayan, and White-rumped vultures, strengthening its ecological and conservation value.
Photo: Drishtant Bidari / Nepal Photo Library
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