By Abinash Chaudhary
Dhangadi, Jan. 18: Habitat of rare Rajlahanche found in Ghodaghodi wetland area in Kailali district has been disturbed.
The habitat of the Rajlahanche (Great slaty woodpecker) was disturbed with the implementation of the scientific forest management programme in two community forests of the area.
Lathahuwa Community Forest and Sitakunda Community Forest in the Chure region are home to some of the world’s rarest birds.
DR Chaudhary, chairperson of the Bird Conservation Network in Kailali, said that the habitat of Rajlahanche has deteriorated after the implementation of the scientific forest management programme in the two community forests since last year.
“As per the action plan of the scientific forest, no Rajlahanche has been seen in the area after trees were cut down recently,” he said. “They might have left the forests and migrated to nearby areas,” he said.
Only Rajlahanches were found for the first time in 2014 in Lathahuwa Community Forest, in Kailali district. The same birds started reaching the Sitakunda Community Forest nearby. Later, it was found that the number of these birds had increased. In July 2019, 10 Rajlahanches were recorded. During the census in September of the same year, 12 more Rajlahanches were found.
Chaudhary said that the forest management programme should not be implemented in the community forests inhabited by Rajlahanche. The habitat of Rajlahanche disappeared after the scientific forest programme was launched in the community forests, he said. “We have not been able to count the number of Rajlahanche this year because of the COVID-19 but probably they have settled in the vicinity of the community forest area.”
The Rajlahanches live in the dense forest surrounding the wetland area. This species of bird is said to live only on tall trees.
According to ornithologists, the destruction of the habitat has put the survival of the Rajlahanche birds in crisis. Ornithologist Hirulal Dagaura said that the number of endangered species in Nepal is estimated to be less than 250.
“Habitat shrinkage, deforestation, encroachment, changing temperatures and climate change are reducing the number of such bird species,” he said.
In Nepal, this bird species is widespread in Ghodghodi wetland area of ​​Kailali, Shuklaphanta National Park, Chitwan National Park and other areas. Last year, the species was recorded in Bandatal area of ​​Shuklaphanta.
The felling of trees in the community forest has added a challenge to the conservation of rare species of birds.
Pushkal Bam, chairman of the Basanta Protected Forest Council, said that trees were cut down in both the community forests last year after the implementation of a scientific forest management programme putting the habitat of rare species of birds at risk.
“There has been no tree cutting this year,” he said. “Not only here, but across the country, work under the Scientific Forest Management Programme has been halted,” he informed.
The Ghodaghodi wetland area, where Rajlahanche was found, falls in the fifth block of the protected Basanta Biological Route.