The Pallas’s Fish Eagle is a globally Endangered raptor associated with large freshwater wetlands, rivers and floodplain systems of Asia. The species breeds in inland wetlands of north-east Bangladesh, north-east India, Nepal and parts of Myanmar during boreal winter. In Bangladesh, breeding occurs primarily during the dry season in the north-east haor basin, where permanent wetlands provide foraging habitat and tall trees support nesting. After the breeding season, many individuals disperse more widely, spending the non-breeding season along larger river systems, reservoirs, and extensive wetlands across the region.

Despite Bangladesh likely supporting one of the most significant breeding populations globally, the true size, distribution and nesting density of the species remained poorly understood prior to systematic research. To address this gap, SCOPE Foundation developed and applied an innovative community-based interview approach across a 4,150 km² breeding landscape in 2017–2020. By systematically interviewing local fishers, farmers and wetland users — the project efficiently identified nesting sites that would have been extremely difficult to detect through conventional survey methods alone.

The project revealed that north-east Bangladesh supports a concentrated breeding population closely linked to permanent wetlands and mature nesting trees. Building on this scientific foundation, SCOPE now combines nest monitoring, habitat assessment and community-based protection measures to reduce threats such as nest tree felling, storm-related chick mortality and wetland degradation. By integrating ecological research with local knowledge and stewardship, the project strengthens coexistence and secures Bangladesh’s role as a critical breeding stronghold for this iconic wetland eagle.