Nepal Launched Action Plans for Bengal Florican Conservation

Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) is commonly found in Nepal, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Unfortunately, the bird’s population has been gradually decreasing due to habitat loss and lack of protection, among other factors. The Government of Nepal launched an action plan to protect the bird’s population in the country.

Critically Endangered

The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the Bengal florican one of the rarest bird species in the world. With a global population of fewer than 800, it is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Critically Endangered.

The bustard’s population in Nepal is estimated to be between 65 and 100. They mainly live in grassland in several national parks and reserve areas. However, sinking habitat is one of the primary reasons for the bird’s near extinction. Grasslands in Nepal have slowly been converted for housing and agricultural expansion. There are also threats from invasive alien species, overgrazing, and lack of legal protection.

Bengal Florican Conservation Action Plan

Bengal florican is listed as protected wildlife under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973. To further strengthen its conservation efforts, the Government of Nepal published the Bengal Florican Conservation Plan 2024–2033 under the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

The overall objective of the plan is to maintain a healthy Bengal florican population by improving its habitat quality, gaining a better understanding of its ecology, reducing threats, and exploring ex-situ conservation practices for its recovery.

The DNPWC will lead the plan’s implementation while maintaining close coordination with local governments and partner organizations. One of the participating organizations is Bird Conservation Nepal, which will conduct satellite tracking studies, grassland management, population surveys, and capacity-building activities.

Collaboration for Conservation

A mid-term review will be conducted in the fifth year of implementing the Bengal Florican Conservation Action Plan, while the final review will be in the 10th year. The findings of the reviews will be used to adjust existing practices and formulate future plans.

Meanwhile, the total estimated cost of the action plan is around 145,7 million Nepalese rupees (1,093 million US dollars), which will require a significant contribution from the government’s budget, as well as donations from organizations.

All in all, biodiversity conservation is, at its core, a collaborative effort between scientists, governments, conservation organizations, researchers, and other related stakeholders. The path to sustainability must never leave anyone behind, including biodiversity as our fellow inhabitants on earth.
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Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Madina is the Assistant Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at Green Network Asia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Universitas Indonesia. As part of the GNA In-House Team, she supports the organization's multi-stakeholder engagement across international organizations, governments, businesses, civil society, and grassroots communities through digital publications, events, capacity building, and research.