Pyuthan, June 29 -- A scientific biodiversity study conducted in Gaumukhi Rural Municipality of Pyuthan, a hill district of Lumbini Province, has recorded 217 species of birds, solidifying the area's status as a vital bird habitat in western Nepal.

The survey, carried out in two phases, in September-October 2024 and April-May 2025, documented a total of 4,538 birds of 217 species. The study was jointly conducted by ornithologists and researchers from the Himalayan Research Centre with support from the Gaumukhi Rural Municipality.

Among the rare finds were the globally endangered steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis), locally known as Gomayu Chil-which migrates from Mongolia during the winter-and the demoiselle crane, also known in Nepali as ...