By Amar Raj Naharki
Tanahun, June 10: One hundred and seventy-seven species of birds have been sighted in Bhanubhakta Zoological Park at Byas Municipality in Tanahun district during both summer and winter seasons.
In the summer season, the park is a playground for some 144 species of birds and other species are found in winter. A recent seven-day bird monitoring observed 124 bird species in the park during this summertime.
"We have listed 124 species of birds during the short-term monitoring of the summer season. We are very happy to find Kandevyakur (Spiny Babbler) in the park as the species of bird found only in Nepal," said Rupak Maharjan, conservation officer of the Zoological Park.
According to Maharjan, the park has made line transit for bird monitoring covering all areas. He said ornithologists were called from Kathmandu to monitor the area covering an area of ​​425 hectares.
During the monitoring, Gomayu Mahachil and White Vulture were also found in the park, considered to be rare in the world and also been recorded on the endangered list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The endangered species included Himalayan vultures, Chasme Uluk (Brown Wood-owl), Gheghari Jhadifisto (Grey-crowned Prinia) and Spiny Babbler, which is found only in Nepal, as well as various native, winter and summer visitors, were also monitored.
The park also has playgrounds for birds including Titra (Partidge), Kakakul (Spilornis cheela), Chibe (Drono), Jureli (Red-vented Bulbul), Koili (Cuckoo), Kalij (Kalij pheasant), Lampuchhre (Large-tailed Nightjar), parrot, Nauli (Great Barbet), Hutityau (Red-wattled Lapwing), Gauthali (sparrow), and Matikore (billed Kingfisher). The species were spotted in a short period and if a detailed study is carried out over a long period, it is estimated that more species can be found.
Records of bird species found from summer bird monitoring are kept. Of these, 36 species of birds were not found during the winter monitoring last year. According to the latest records, there are 177 species of birds in the park. The conservation of 177 species of birds in the small park is encouraging from the point of view of wildlife conservation, said Maharjan.
Thirteen forest areas including eight community and five leasehold forests have been included in the park. He informed that the number of species varies according to the season.
The park is located between Pokhara and Sauraha, which connects Kathmandu-Pokhara Prithvi Highway and it is one of the popular tourist destinations in Nepal. The Government of Nepal has given priority to the construction of tourist infrastructure in this park.
Other areas considered important in terms of tourism near this area are the birthplace of legendary national poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, Tapobhumi of Byas Parashar Rishi, Chhabdibarahi, historical Tanahunsur Durbar, Bandipur, famous by the nickname of Queen of Hills, said Prakash Malla Tyson, chairman of Ward No. 5 Bhanu Municipality.