Population structure and annual migration pattern of Steppe Eagles at Thoolakharka Watch Site, Nepal, 2012-2014

We studied the east-to-west migration of the endangered Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) in Nepal at Thoolakharka (elevation 2050 masl) from mid-September to early December 2012 – 2014, to estimate the age structure of the population and describe its annual migration pattern. We counted 6100 to 8700 individuals/year, and aged approximately 60% of the eagles that passed: 20% juveniles (902), 37% subadults (1679) and 43% adults (1910). We observed the bulk (67%) of eagle migration after 1200 H, with a peak between 1400 – 1500 H. For these 3 yr, the median passage date of juveniles was earlier than the median passage date of subadults and adults. The proportion of different age classes in 2012 was significantly different from that in 2013 (G = 18.4, P < 0.001) and 2014 (G = 147.4, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences among years in the number in each age class (χ2 = 1.655, P = 0.437; χ2= 1.125, P = 0.570; and χ2= 3.240, P = 0.198, respectively for juveniles, subadults and adults), however median of the number of total migrating Steppe Eagles counted each year were significance different (χ2= 6.318, P = 0.042). We did not see a difference in the yearly migration pattern of Steppe Eagles but we observed high proportion of juveniles earlier, adults later in the season and also fewer Steppe Eagles passing through the area than previous short-term studies had estimated

Visualizing Sustainability of Selective Mountain Farming Systems from Far-eastern Himalayas to Support Decision Making

Mountain farming systems rely on both empirical and academic knowledge. Their sustainability depends on how effectively diverse knowledge is used for solution-oriented decision making. For mountains, decisions must be conducive to rural farmers whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and related activities. Adopting transdisciplinary research approach, we define a composite Sustainability Space indicator that will help decision makers better understand the ingredients for sustainability, and formulate policy and management decisions to reinforce on-the-ground sustainability. Sustainability Space was derived through analysis of the positive and negative impact factors co-defined by community and disciplinary experts, and visualized through a radar diagram. We used Principal Component Analysis to understand relationships between factors. The results on Sustainability Spaces for eight cases of farming systems from the far-Eastern Himalayas indicated that the sustainability of farming systems is strengthened if decisions holistically cater to (i) geophysical pre-requisites, (ii) ecological foundations, (iii) integrated processes and practices, (iv) resources, knowledge, and value systems, (v) stakeholders’ development and economic aspirations, (vi) well-being of farming communities, and (vii) government support mechanisms. More equitable the attention to these seven components, the higher the sustainability of farming systems in this region could be

Migration Count of Steppe Eagle at Thoolakharka Watch Site, Nepal

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) is a globally endangered species that breeds at high latitudes of Palearctic and winters in Africa and Indian subcontinent. Migration count from bottleneck sites along the flyways is an appropriate method to monitor population of this species and other migrating raptors. In 2012–2015, we carried out autumn migration count at Thoolakharka raptor migration watch site along the foothills of Annapurna Himalayan Range of Nepal to investigate population dynamics of migrating Steppe Eagle. Each year, migration of Steppe Eagle started from the first week of October and continued throughout the count until 8 of December. Every year, we observed high fluctuation in the total number of migrating Steppe Eagles that ranged between 8 684 (in 2013) to 4 302 (in 2015). Similar results were observed in the proportion of juveniles (first year bird) 23.7% to 17.6%, subadults (2nd to 4th year) 44.8% to 33.6% and adults (≥ 5th year) 48.8% to 34.9%. High fluctuation in the total count and the proportion of age groups could have two possible reasons: 1) the actual change in population over different years and 2) changes in the actual migration route eagles follow depending on the local or regional weather conditions. For these reasons, we could not ascertain that the population of migrating Steppe Eagle at Thoolakharka watch site is actually declining. Therefore, we stress a long term monitoring of migrating Steppe Eagle population from Thoolakharka watch site in the future to investigate the real changes in populatio

Breeding Habitat and Factors Affecting the Cliff Selection by Egyptian Vultures in Central-West Nepal

The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is a resident species in Nepal, and breeds in the lower mountains in the southern plains of Nepal. Nest-site availability is an important factor that determines the population growth of vultures; however, such information is lacking in South Asia. We here describe the characteristics and spatial distribution patterns of Egyptian Vultures' nest sites in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in central-west Nepal, and the factors that influence their nest-site selection. From 2012 through 2018, we surveyed all the known and potential nesting cliffs of the Egyptian Vulture located in the Pokhara Valley and its periphery during the nest building and nestling-rearing periods. In addition, we used generalized linear models to analyze the influence of landscape configuration, topography, and human disturbance factors on nest-site selection. We found a total of 21 occupied nests in a sampled area of 346 km2. Nests were not uniformly distributed, and the nearest neighbor distance between nests averaged 8.8 ± 6.1 km. Nests were located at an elevation of 523–1644 masl on cliffs with a mean height of 20.1 ± 12.2 m; 76% were in caves and 24% were on open ledges. Our models suggested that cliff height, anthropogenic trophic resources, and altitudinal variation around the cliff were the main determinants of the nesting cliff selection. Selection of small cliffs closer to food sources could minimize energy expenditure during food delivery and interspecific competition for nesting sites. The high altitudinal variation around the nest sites suggest that Egyptian Vultures preferred heterogeneous habitat, which might also be relatively difficult for humans to access and use easily

Estimation of Population Density of Bearded Vultures Using Line-Transect Distance Sampling and Identification of Perceived Threats in the Annapurna Himalaya Range of Nepal

Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) populations are declining across most of the species' global range. We studied Bearded Vultures in the Annapurna Himalaya Range of Nepal using line-transect distance sampling, and quantified the perceptions of threats to the species by interviewing local people in two different elevational areas. We recorded 35 Bearded Vultures (26 adults, 5 non-adults, 4 birds of unknown age) along a 168-km transect, yielding an encounter rate of 0.21 individuals/km. Based on distance sampling, we estimated a vulture density of 0.184 individuals/km2 in the study area. Local people in the two areas perceived population status and threats to the Bearded Vulture differently. At the lower elevational range (1398-2108 m), people perceived that the vulture population is declining and that the major threats are food shortage and secondary poisoning via the use of poisons by livestock herders to kill mammalian carnivores. At higher elevations (2538-3813 m), people perceived that the vulture population is stable with no lack of food; there also was a larger prevalence of the use of vulture body parts for traditional medicine in this area. Our study suggests that unintentional poisoning, food shortage, and use of vulture body parts are the primary threats to the Bearded Vulture in the Annapurna Himalaya Range of Nepal.</p

Village-integrated eye workers for prevention of corneal ulcers in Nepal (VIEW study): a cluster-randomised controlled trial

BackgroundCorneal ulcers are a common cause of blindness in low-income and middle-income countries, usually resulting from traumatic corneal abrasions during agricultural work. Antimicrobial prophylaxis of corneal abrasions can help prevent corneal ulcers, but delays in the initiation of therapy are frequent. We aimed to assess whether a community-based programme for corneal ulcer prevention would reduce the incidence of corneal ulceration.MethodsA cluster-randomised trial was performed in village development committees (VDCs) in Nepal. VDCs in the catchment area of Bharatpur Eye Hospital, Nepal with less than 15 000 people were eligible for inclusion. We randomly assigned (1:1) VDCs to either an intervention group or a control group. In the intervention VDCs, existing female community health volunteers (FCHVs) were trained to diagnose corneal abrasions and provide a 3-day course of ophthalmic antimicrobials to their patients. In the control VDCs, FCHVs did not provide this intervention. Participants were not masked given the nature of the intervention. Both groups were followed up for 3 years for photographic evidence of corneal ulceration. The primary outcome was the incidence of corneal ulceration, determined by masked assessment of corneal photographs. The analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01969786.FindingsWe assessed 112 VDCs, of which 24 were enrolled. The study was performed between Feb 4, 2014, and Oct 20, 2017. 12 VDCs were randomly assigned to the intervention group and 12 to the control group. 252 539 individuals were included in the study (130 579 in the intervention group and 121 960 in the control group). FCHVs diagnosed and provided antimicrobials for 4777 corneal abrasions. The census identified 289 corneal ulcers among 246 893 person-years in the intervention group (incidence 1·21 cases [95% CI 0·85-1·74] per 1000 person-years) and 262 corneal ulcers among 239 170 person-years in the control group (incidence 1·18 cases [0·82-1·70] per 1000 person-years; incidence rate ratio 1·03 [95% CI 0·63-1·67]; p=0·93). Medication allergy was self-reported in 0·2% of participants.InterpretationWe did not detect a reduction in the incidence of corneal ulceration during the first 3 years of a community-based corneal ulcer prevention programme. Further study might be warranted in more rural areas where basic eye care facilities are not available.FundingNational Eye Institute