The Arghakhanchi district has emerged as an important safe habitat for rare and endangered vulture species, with successful breeding recorded this year across four different species.

According to bird expert Krishna Bhusal, a total of 33 vulture chicks successfully hatched and flew from their nests during the recent breeding season.

Among them, the critically endangered white-rumped vulture (Dunger vulture) recorded notable success in the Chhatradev Rural Municipality forest area, where 23 nests were observed in pine trees. Of these, chicks from 15 nests successfully fledged. Bhusal said this achievement is significant not only for Nepal but also for global conservation efforts.

Similarly, in the Gherabhir area of Malarani Rural Municipality, Himalayan vultures built 22 nests, while red-headed vultures constructed three nests. Chicks from 16 Himalayan vulture nests and two red-headed vulture nests successfully fledged this year.

Experts say the successful breeding confirms that Arghakhanchi’s forest regions remain a secure natural habitat for vultures. Since vultures lay only one egg per year and require a long breeding cycle—from around autumn to late spring—such a high success rate is considered a major conservation achievement.

“In a single breeding season, the successful fledging of 33 chicks is a highly positive indicator for conservation,” Bhusal noted.

Meanwhile, the rare white-backed vulture has also been observed nesting across six locations in Sandhikharka, Bhumikasthan, Malarani, and Sitganga municipalities. These birds are still in the chick-rearing stage, and the young are expected to fledge in the coming weeks.

Vultures play a vital ecological role by feeding on animal carcasses and helping keep the environment clean. Often referred to as nature’s “sanitation workers,” their decline can lead to increased pollution, disease risks, and ecological imbalance.

Keshav Khadka, information officer at the Division Forest Office, Arghakhanchi, said vulture conservation has been given high priority due to their importance in maintaining ecological balance.

With continued successful breeding of endangered species, Arghakhanchi is increasingly being recognized as a key vulture conservation zone. Conservationists believe sustained efforts could establish the district as one of the most important safe havens for rare vultures in Nepal.