By Saurav Lamichhane. My journey commenced with an 11-hour flight from Perth to Doha, followed by a luxurious 14-hour transit session at Hamad International Airport, Doha, and then a final 3-hour hop to Islamabad. After nearly 30 hours of travel (and enough airplane meals to last a lifetime), I finally landed at Islamabad Airport for the …
first workshop on the development of a Multi-species Action Plan for Bustards
proudly themed “Bustards Without Borders1.”
Organised by WWF Pakistan, supported by the Swiss Ornithological Institute, and AEMLAP, the mission sounded simple:
Identify threats, draft actions, and save the bustards!
No pressure, right?
Three Productive Days. For the first three days, we were based at a hotel in Islamabad. These were not just regular hotel days – they were three incredibly productive days of brainstorming, knowledge sharing, and building the foundation for a conservation plan.
Our goal? Finalise a first draft that is expected to be submitted for endorsement at the upcoming CMS 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CMS COP15) to be held from 23 to 29 March 2026 in Campo Grande, Brazil (yes, Brazil ─ better start practicing your samba moves now!). These were intensive days filled with collaborative discussions, group work, and in-depth conversations about shaping the priorities for the action plan.
Escape to the Wild: Birdwatching Every Day (From 4:15 to 8:00 AM)
Even with a tight schedule, every morning we set off to the stunning Margalla Hills National Park to reconnect with the wild world we were fighting for. Armed with binoculars, cameras and sometimes very wishful thinking, we spotted an incredible range of bird species.
The Almost Houbara bustard2 Expedition
One of the most anticipated moments of the trip was a mission to Rahim Yar Khan and to the edge of the Cholistan Desert, to see the rare Houbara bustard. Charged with excitement – and in my case, quite a lot of rice, dal, and mixed vegetables ─ we headed towards the desert, ready with binoculars and cameras. Until……..
Security officers: “Sorry, friends.”
- Apparently, wandering too close to sensitive border zones is not recommended.
- Instead of bustards, we got a free lesson in international diplomacy – and a U-turn.
- We didn’t see the Houbara bustard… but we collected a great story!
Capturing the Spirit. Here are a few snapshots that captured the vibe of this unforgettable adventure:
The White-eared Bulbul proving that a stylish mohawk never goes out of fashion. 
Acrobat of the forest – the Scimitar Babbler proving that balance is everything. Photo credit: Jamshed Chaudhry 
A Citrine Wagtail bringing sunshine to a rocky riverbed – brighter than any airport arrival lounge! Photo credit: Jamshed Chaudhry 
The Asian Pied Starling showing off a bold fashion statement – black, white, and ready for the runway. 
Little Owls judging us for disturbing their siesta. Photo credit: Mimi Kessler 
One stylish laughingthrush posing like it owns the forest. Photo credit: Alain Jacot 
Shining bright: Blue Whistling Thrush looking sharper than me after a 14-hour layover. Photo Credit: Reto Spaar 
The biggest smiles often come from the smallest villages. Photo credit: Alain Jackot 
We tried, we birded, we conquered lunch at Zaytoon Garden.
(Some birds were so photogenic that I started doubting my own passport photo).
Reflections
This field trip was not just limited to conservation action plans. It was about developing connections – across cultures, across landscapes, and across species boundaries. It showed that while bustards may not recognise political borders, neither should our efforts to protect them. Even when plans get blocked or when there’s no beer but an ocean of chai (tea), what matters most is the passion everyone brought to the cause.
Next Stop: With a draft action plan in the pipeline and the momentum of this workshop behind us, we are now working towards finalising a version for submission at CMS COP15 in Campo Grande, Brazil.
Back to Perth. After an unforgettable week of workshops, birdwatching, and almost spotting a Houbara bustard, it was time to head back. And just like the earlier travel journey, the return flight to Perth came with another epic 14-hour stopover at Hamad International Airport, Doha ─ enough time to reflect on bustards, borders, and everything in between. Tired but full of new memories (and several extra kilos of camera gear), I finally landed back in Perth ─ ready to turn all the discussions, laughs, and lessons into real action for bustard conservation.3
Bustards know no borders, only journeys. Long live the bustards – and the brave humans trying to protect their habitats!
- A quick side note: The workshop was officially called ‘Bustards Without Borders’, though after a few days in Islamabad, it had unofficially earned a new nickname: ‘Bustards Without Beers’ (Alcohol is prohibited in Pakistan ─ but endless chai (tea) and conservation spirit kept us more than energised!). Of course, as the saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way!” Luckily, the Marriott Hotel was just a short distance from our hotel (some international hotels like the Marriott are licensed to sell alcohol to foreigners). So, a short, strategic night mission to the Marriott became part of the adventure – because even conservationists need their fuel sometimes! ↩︎
- Photo credit main image: https://animalia.bio/macqueens-bustard. ↩︎
- A note of thanks: I would like to sincerely thank my supervisors for their support and for arranging my flight tickets, making it possible for me to participate in this important workshop. I am also deeply grateful to all the experts from different countries who shared their knowledge, experiences, and passion for bustard conservation throughout the workshop. It was truly inspiring to be part of such a collaborative and dedicated group working towards a common goal ↩︎
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