Dr Tulsi Subedi serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Himalayan Raptors. Dr Subedi is a pioneering raptor scientist and conservationist in Nepal with a two-decade-long career dedicated to protecting some of the world's most threatened avian species.

He began his journey in 2003 with an M.Sc. from Tribhuvan University, where his foundational research focused on raptor diversity in Shivapuri National Park. After broadening his experience at the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, he earned a PhD from Universiti Sains Malaysia. His doctoral work included Asia's first satellite-telemetry study of the Bearded Vulture in the Himalayas.

Dr Subedi’s fieldwork has transformed the understanding of raptor ecology. He has led raptor migration studies across the Himalayas, documenting thousands of migrating birds, including numerous endangered species. He has also meticulously monitored raptor populations, studied the movement of satellite-tracked raptors, and assessed anthropogenic threats, particularly electrocution and powerline collisions, poisoning, and persecution, which pose alarming dangers to these raptors.

In leadership and conservation roles, Dr Subedi has served as a Vulture Field Biologist at Bird Conservation Nepal (a BirdLife partner), a Field Ecologist at the Red Panda Network, a Conservation Trainee at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and the Director of Programs at Himalayan Nature.

His work has been published in various ornithological and conservation journals, and he has mentored new generations of scientists who are now excelling in the field of raptor biology. Through his research and mentorship, Dr Subedi continues to build capacity in raptor conservation, cultivating a new generation of scientists dedicated to protecting Nepal’s aerial guardians.

Email: subedi.tulsi@himalayanraptors.org

Sandesh is a president of Himalayan Raptors, who is pursuing his PhD at University of Wageningen and Research with funding from The Peregrine Fund. He has completed Master’s Degree in Zoology at Tribhuvan University Nepal. He has worked on the migration ecology of Himalayan Vulture for his Master's thesis. He is a passionate and young raptor biologist in Nepal who is now developing a career in Birds of Prey. Sandesh holds more than 10 years of experience working on Birds of Prey and has published articles on raptors' ecology. He has undertaken research on number of studies; raptor migration study since 2013, monitoring the breeding success of Egyptian Vulture and Black Kites, anthropogenic threats (3P – Persecution, Poisoning and Powerlines), dietary study of raptors. He has been trained to trap, handle and tag raptor, so far he has been able to work on tag five species of raptors including Mountain Hawk Eagle and Indian Spotted Eagle which he uses it as his model species. He also works with the local communities to educate them to ensure the conservation of raptors. His main area of interest includes the movement and breeding ecology of raptors, human-raptor conflict and the impacts of pesticides on these apex aerial predators. Also, he has a keen interest in raptor rescue and rehabilitation. Apart from this, He is an amateur tree climber and rock climber as well. Sandesh has also discovered Steppe Grey Shrike, a new bird species for Nepal.

Email: gurung.sandesh@himalayanraptors.org

Vice President

Kamala Bhattarai is the Treasurer of Himalayan Raptors. She is an experienced educator specializing in Nepali Language and Environmental Education. With over five years of experience spanning formal teaching, community mobilization, and educational facilitation, she has served as a teacher in schools and at a Community Learning Centre. Trained in diverse school and community education methodologies, she is deeply passionate about empowering communities and creating meaningful learning experiences through education and engagement.

Prabin Shrestha is the General Secretary at Himalayan Raptors. An environmentalist and wildlife biologist with over a decade of experience, he brings extensive expertise in research, forestry, conservation, climate change, environmental services, education, and project management. Holding a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and Rural Development, he excels at stakeholder engagement, coordination, and securing local community participation in conservation and climate initiatives.

His professional background includes impactful roles as a Program Officer for EDEN Reforestation Projects and Himalayan Nature. He has also contributed his expertise as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (Environmentalist) on DFID-funded projects with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, as well as a Climate Change Expert at SEEPORT Consultancy. Driven by a collaborative spirit and a commitment to continuous learning, Prabin aims to tackle complex environmental challenges and advance sustainable practices in forestry, conservation, and rural livelihoods.

Dheeraj Chaudhary, the hawk-eyed man, is a Raptor Research Associate at Himalayan Raptors. Mr. Chaudhary, involved in various ornithological surveys, has a passion for raptor conservation. Nest monitoring of the White-rumped Vulture in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in 2011 and 2012 was his first raptor project. He was also involved in preparing a Red Data Book of Nepal for birds in 2016. He is experienced in raptor research: raptor migration counting, ecological study of Indian Spotted Eagle, wintering raptor survey in lowlands, Harrier study and urban raptor ecology. Apart from this, he also has expertise in pheasant and wetland bird ecology. He has been volunteering as a field ornithologist since 2010 for waterbird conservation and wetland science. He has also coauthored various scientific and popular articles. He believes that reaching grassroots can only help to conserve the species; thus prefers to work with the local communities and school children.

Babita Paudyal is an Accounts and Administration Officer at Himalayan Raptors. She is a finance professional with more than four years of experience in the finance sector and an MSc researcher focusing on Green Microfinance. Her academic interests center on the intersection of financial inclusion, microfinance, and environmental sustainability. She is interested in understanding how financial systems can support sustainable livelihoods and environmentally responsible development.

Sabin K.C. is a Research Associate at Himalayan Raptors, who has completed a Master’s degree in Zoology from Tribhuvan University. Currently, he is pursuing an international degree in the USA.  His journey in raptor conservation began as a field trainee on a raptor migration study; here he honed skills in identifying raptor species and conducting migration counts, ecology of breeding raptors, and gaining hands-on experience in capturing and tagging these magnificent birds. He has worked as a research assistant on various projects, including vertebrate faunal assessments in Madhesh Province and a comprehensive survey of the Sarus Crane in the Greater Lumbini area. His graduate thesis focused on the behavior of the Lesser Adjutant stork, and he also conducted an altitudinal survey of pangolin nests, demonstrating his capability in rigorous field research. He possesses strong technical skills in bird surveys, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), R programming, and data visualisation, which enhance his ability to analyze ecological data effectively. He is deeply passionate about raptor behavior, ecology, and conservation, and he looks forward to collaborating with fellow researchers to develop innovative solutions for the challenges facing raptors. Additionally, he has published his research in various scientific journals, contributing to the field of wildlife conservation.

Dipa Gurung is an emerging conservationist with a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from the Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus. Her undergraduate research focused on avian mortality along power lines in Pokhara Valley, highlighting the significant threats posed by electrocution and collision to Nepal’s raptors and other bird species.

Dipa has more than two years of experience supporting biodiversity research and field-based conservation initiatives. She has also served as an Owl Conservation Envoy under a Whitley Award-supported project, contributing to efforts to promote owl conservation in Gandaki Province.

Currently, Dipa serves as a Conservation Educator with Himalayan Raptors, where she contributes to conservation education, outreach, project support, and visual communication. Her work includes developing infographics, digital content, and other educational materials, as well as supporting field-data organization, report preparation, and the communication of conservation knowledge to wider audiences.

With a strong interest in raptor ecology, urban biodiversity, and conservation education, Dipa is particularly interested in understanding how birds of prey respond to changing and increasingly urbanized landscapes. She is currently pursuing her master’s studies in Germany while continuing to contribute remotely to Himalayan Raptors.

Her long-term goal is to develop as a raptor ecologist and conservation advocate, contributing to evidence-based research and community-oriented approaches to the conservation of Nepal’s birds of prey.

Sulav Rai is a Climbing Specialist and Raptor Research Associate at Himalayan Raptors. A professional rock climber, climbing sports athlete, and trekking guide with over five years of experience, he has explored the finest climbing routes across Nepal and worked extensively as a rock climbing guide. He has competed in numerous indoor and outdoor bouldering and climbing competitions, taking top honors in events such as the Vertical Battle Bouldering Competition, Astrek Outdoor Rock Climbing Competition, and the Wish-Adventure Bouldering Competition.

Though he holds a bachelor's degree in commerce, his true passions lie in rock climbing and promoting it as a competitive sport in Nepal. He also holds advanced certifications in mountain navigation and mountain rescue. His transition into conservation began when he discovered raptor nests on cliff faces during outdoor climbs. This led to a collaboration with Sandesh Gurung, a researcher sharing similar interests, to study raptor ecology.

He believes that climbing skills can be utilized in various fields; among them, wildlife conservation is one of them. He is mainly intrigued by breeding biology, human-raptor conflict, and mitigating raptor conflict with people. He additionally wants to apply his skills to raptor conservation and to ascertain their presence for upcoming generations.