# Kathmandu Celebrates Annual Crow Day Amidst Urban Human-Wildlife Conflict Local activist Ramesh Dulal hosts a unique conference honoring crows during Kaag Tihar. - **Source:** [Mongabay](https://news.mongabay.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/08231caf-f749-4acb-bfb2-2ac493f605c3 ## Traditional Crow Festival Nepal observes Kaag Tihar, an annual day dedicated to crows, coinciding with the Hindu festival of Deepawali. During this cultural event, locals honor the birds for their religious and ecological importance. Ramesh Dulal, a 35-year-old folk singer, marks the occasion by hosting an annual Crow Conference to celebrate these intelligent avian creatures. ## Communication Through Mimicry Ramesh Dulal has developed a unique ability to communicate with crows since he was thirteen years old. At his annual conference, he uses a microphone to produce guttural sounds that mimic crow calls. These vocalizations successfully attract large flocks of birds from nearby trees, rooftops, and electrical poles to the event site. ## Ecological Role and Significance Beyond the spectacle of mimicry, the event serves as an educational platform for the public. Dulal addresses attendees to explain the specific ecological roles crows play within the urban environment. He emphasizes their importance in the local ecosystem, aiming to foster a deeper appreciation for the birds among the Kathmandu city residents. ## Rising Urban Tensions Despite the cultural celebration, the relationship between Kathmandu residents and crows is increasingly strained. Many citizens actively discourage the presence of these birds near their homes. This hostility intensified significantly after crows were blamed for a bird flu outbreak that occurred at the city's Central Zoo, leading to widespread public health concerns. ## Urban Adaptation Strategies Crows are successfully thriving in Kathmandu despite the growing human hostility and rapid urbanization. As natural tree cover disappears across the city, these birds have adapted by exploiting human-generated waste. This shift in behavior allows them to gain ground over other bird species that remain strictly dependent on trees for their survival. ## Waste Management Impact The proliferation of crows in the city is directly linked to the accumulation of waste piles. These birds act as scavengers, feeding on scraps left behind in urban areas. This reliance on human refuse has turned the city into a viable habitat, ensuring their population remains robust despite the lack of traditional nesting sites. ## Cultural Versus Practical Views There is a clear divide between the traditional reverence for crows and the practical challenges of living alongside them. While the Kaag Tihar festival promotes a spiritual connection, the reality of urban life involves managing potential disease risks. This dichotomy defines the current human-crow relationship within the dense, rapidly changing Kathmandu metropolitan area. ## Future of Urban Coexistence The survival of crows in Kathmandu highlights the resilience of wildlife in human-dominated landscapes. As the city continues to expand, the balance between cultural traditions and urban management will remain critical. Observers must watch how waste policies and public health initiatives further influence the interactions between these intelligent birds and city dwellers. ## Sources covering this story - https://news.mongabay.com/2026/11/human-crow-relations-show-strain-as-kathmandu-observes-annual-day-of-the-crow/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._