Festival highlights university's commitment to green future

By Yang Xiaoyu | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2025-06-20 15:23

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Students read out the Migratory Bird Protection Initiative at the second International Culture Festival of Beijing Forestry University, on June 11, 2025. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Another highlight of the festival was the Migratory Bird Protection Initiative, read out by a group of students, urging youths worldwide to take action to protect migratory birds and their habitats.

The initiative stems from the Flyways University Alliance and the Global Scientific Action Plan for Migratory Bird Flyway Conservation. Both launched by BFU in October 2024 during the Global Ecological Governance (Nansen) Conference held in Beijing, the alliance aims to enhance collaboration between universities and research institutes in flyway countries while strengthening knowledge-sharing and conservation efforts along migratory routes.

Sony Lama, a Nepali student who is pursuing her master's degree in nature reserve science, was one of the students who presented the initiative. "The initiative to protect migratory birds is essential, as these species face numerous threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and illegal poaching," Lama said.

Nepali student Sony Lama in graduation cap and gown [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Bird conservation is a cause very close to my heart. In Nepal, I have conducted research on avian species and actively participated in conservation projects," she told this website, adding that it was an honor because it aligns with her lifelong commitment to wildlife protection.

Before coming to Beijing to do her master's at BFU, Lama worked at Red Panda Network, an international non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of red pandas and other sympatric species.

Lama, who had taken 14.5 credits more than what is required for her master's program, acknowledged the interdisciplinary approach of her study at BFU. "It has equipped me with practical knowledge that will be instrumental in my conservation work in Nepal," she stated.

"After graduation, I intend to return to Nepal to resume my previous job. The exposure to China's conservation methodologies, advanced ecological research, and policy frameworks has broadened my perspective, allowing me to develop innovative and effective strategies to implement back home," she said.