Conversation | Esha Munshi x Ankit Bilas Joshi x Arend van Riessen
Esha Munshi, Ankit Bilash Joshi, Arend van Riessen
Esha Munshi, is an architect, birdwatcher and citizen scientist. She came up with the idea of creating a reference library of feathers to be able to identify birds from their feathers. Because no such reference was available for India, she decided to document flight feathers from dead birds, noting the number of primaries, secondaries, tertials, alulas and rectrices, and creating a digital library with photographs. Her work FEATHER LIBRARY is being showcased at Chyasal from 25 Feb – 31 March 2023 | 11am – 7pm
Ankit Bilash Joshi is a wildlife conservationist born in Kathmandu, Nepal. He holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and is currently working as the Vulture Conservation Program Manager in Bird Conservation Nepal, a non-profit organization that focuses on the conservation of birds and their habitats in Nepal. In his role, Ankit is responsible for managing the organization’s vulture conservation program, which is aimed at protecting and conserving vulture populations in Nepal. Ankit’s work is particularly important due to the significant decline in vulture populations in the country caused by the use of the veterinary drug diclofenac. His academic background and experience in natural resource management equip him with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and conserve vulture populations in Nepal.
Arend van Riessen is a rural development specialist, who came first to Nepal in 1982 and had the privilege of working with communities throughout Nepal, also sleeping in hundreds of different village homes. A birder since his highschool days, his hobby has made even his most boring or difficult days interesting. He was lucky enough to associate with the birders of Friendsofbird, and through them with BCN. As a citizen scientist he deepened his knowledge of birds during 13 years of study of the birds of Taudaha and the Bagmati. More recently, he could follow up on his desire to make the wider public notice and enjoy birds through the Chhimeki Chara campaign.