February 2025

Parrot Rescue from Illegal Trade During Festival

Protecting Our Wildlife from Illegal Trafficking A Coordinated Effort to Save the Parrots Every year, during a significant makar (Mela) festival in Dhanushadham , the illegal wildlife trade sees a disturbing rise. Among the most affected species are parrots, which are captured from unknown locations—likely from forests and rural areas—and sold in marketplaces. This practice not only disrupts their natural habitat but also violates wildlife protection laws. This year, the Mithila Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with the Subdivision Forest Office Dhanushadham and the Armed Police Force, took swift action against this illegal activity. Upon receiving information about the sale of parrots, our team immediately reached the site and successfully rescued several birds from the traders. These birds, taken from their natural environment, were kept in poor conditions, further highlighting the cruelty of this trade. Why Illegal Bird Trade Must Stop Wildlife trafficking is a serious and ongoing issue, especially during festivals when the demand for exotic animals increases. Many birds captured from the wild do not survive due to stress, poor handling, and unsuitable living conditions. Parrots, in particular, play a crucial role in the ecosystem by aiding seed dispersal and maintaining forest biodiversity. Their removal from nature can have long-term ecological consequences.   Call for Action: Strengthening Wildlife Protection We strongly urge local authorities and forestry officials to take strict action against those involved in illegal wildlife trade. While our rescue efforts make an impact, preventing these crimes through stronger enforcement, awareness, and community involvement is the key to long-term conservation. Protecting wildlife is a shared responsibility. If you witness the sale of wild birds or any other form of illegal wildlife trade, please report it to the authorities or organizations like Mithila Wildlife Trust. Your support can make a difference in preserving our region’s rich biodiversity. Let’s stand together against illegal wildlife trade and ensure that our future generations can enjoy the beauty of birds in their natural habitat—not in cages.

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Celebrating World Pangolin Day, 2025

Celebrating World Pangolin Day in Bhatighari Chure Community Forest

Mithila Municipality-4, Dhanusha, celebrated the 14th World Pangolin Day with various awareness activities. The event included a discussion session and a peace rally, organized with the support of ‘भाटीघारी बहुआयामिक आयआर्जन विपन्न वर्ग महिला समूह,’ Puspwalpur Sub-Divisional Forest Office, and राष्ट्रिय आधारभूत विद्यालय पुष्पवलपुर (National Basic School Pushpawalpur) Even though the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) project ended over a year ago, the local community is still actively working to protect pangolins. Participants talked about the importance of community efforts in saving wildlife and stressed the need to continue conservation work beyond short-term projects.         Sita Paudel from Mithila Wildlife Trust shared her happiness in being part of this initiative. She praised the local community’s dedication, saying their hard work is an inspiring example of how people can help protect rare animals like pangolins and take care of nature.  

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Nepal Owl Festival 2025: A Celebration of Conservation & Culture

 Stage Performance / Crowd Shot A Festival That Brought Nature & People Together As the sun set over Madhesh, the 12th Nepal Owl Festival came to life with music, dance, and a shared love for conservation. People from different backgrounds joined hands to celebrate the beauty of owls and their importance in our ecosystem. Community Effort Behind the Success This event was made possible by the dedication of many Organized by Friends of Nature (FON)  and Mithila Wildlife Trust, the festival saw enthusiastic participation from local people, volunteers, NGOs, and INGOs. More Than Just a Festival The Nepal Owl Festival isn’t just about celebrating owls; it’s about spreading awareness, fostering conservation efforts, and bringing people closer to nature. Seeing the excitement among visitors, especially children, was truly inspiring! Showcasing Maithili Culture & Local Traditions The Nepal Owl Festival 2025 was not just about conservation—it was also a celebration of culture! The event featured vibrant Maithili performances along with other traditional cultural acts, showcasing the rich heritage of the region. Local artists and performers brought the festival to life with music, dance, and storytelling. Local Games & Community Fun One of the most heartwarming parts of the festival was the participation of local children in traditional games. The festival grounds were filled with laughter and excitement as kids engaged in age-old games that have been played in the community for generations. These activities not only entertained but also helped revive local traditions. Honoring Dedication & Commitment One of the most special moments of the Nepal Owl Festival 2025 was the recognition of individuals who have dedicated their efforts to environmental conservation. Special Thanks goes to our supporting Partners (Global Owl Project, World Owl Trust, WFN, NSL,FAIR AWAY, Bernd Thies Stiftung, International Owl Centre, Pokhara bird society, NOU, Pipal tree, WWF, NTNC, Incredible  Mithila, Cultural village, CCPM, MIDWAN)    Certificates of appreciation were awarded to our hardworking volunteers and esteemed chief guests as a token of gratitude for their valuable contributions . Looking Forward to 2026! The energy and enthusiasm of this year’s festival have set high expectations for next year. We can’t wait to join Nepal Owl Festival 2026 with bigger and better expectation!    A huge THANK YOU to everyone who made this event a success! Did you attend the festival? Share your favorite moments in the comments!

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