The Himalayan Raptors family is beaming with pride as our CEO, Dr. Tulsi Subedi, has been recognized for his two decades of commitment to birds of prey and biodiversity conservation. Friends of Nature (FON) has presented Dr. Subedi with the prestigious Nature Conservation Award 2026, celebrating his significant individual contributions to the protection of Nepal’s biodiversity.
While the award honors Dr. Subedi’s personal journey and scientific rigor, it serves as a monumental inspiration for the entire Himalayan Raptors team and the broader conservation community in Nepal.
A Spark Ignited on a Rocky Trail
Dr. Subedi’s path to becoming one of Nepal’s leading raptor experts began in the rural village of Arghakhanchi. Surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Mountains, he spent his childhood monitoring nests and watching the skies.
One particular species captured his imagination: the Bearded Vulture. He spent hours watching them drop bones from great heights to access the marrow inside. In 1991, this fascination took a dramatic turn when a large bone dropped by a vulture narrowly missed his head while he was walking home from school. Rather than instilling fear, the near-miss left a lasting impression of the power and majesty of these birds, laying the foundation for a lifelong calling.
The Turning Point: From Student to Specialist
What began as childhood curiosity evolved into a rigorous scientific career. After deciding to focus on birds of prey for his Master’s dissertation in 2003, Dr. Subedi joined Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) in 2007 as a vulture field biologist.
His trajectory shifted globally in 2010 when he was invited to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (HMS) in the USA. Under the mentorship of world-renowned biologists like Dr. Keith Bildstein and Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Dr. Subedi refined the technical skills and conservation strategies that he now applies to protecting Nepal’s vultures and eagles. In a significant move for the future of raptors, Dr. Subedi and Himalayan Raptors are now working in close collaboration with The Peregrine Fund. This strategic partnership aims to advance raptor conservation in Nepal by combining local expertise with international resources to protect the guardians of the sky.
Looking Ahead
For the Himalayan Raptors family, this award is a reminder of the vital work remaining.
"This recognition encourages us to continue our efforts in raptor research and conservation," the organization stated. "It reinforces our mission to ensure that the vultures, hawks and eagles Dr. Subedi watched as a child continue to soar over our mountains for generations to come."
As Dr. Subedi continues to lead research on species like the Bearded Vulture, Red-headed Vulture and Steppe Eagle, this award stands as a testament to the fact that conservation success is built on a foundation of early passion, dedicated mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to the natural world.
About Himalayan Raptors: Himalayan Raptors is dedicated to the study and protection of birds of prey through scientific research, education and community-based conservation initiatives across Nepal.