By Binu Shrestha

Kathmandu, Jan. 22: The number of migratory water birds at Taudaha Lake has sharply declined over the years, according to Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN).
The water birds were counted at Taudaha on January 18, under the winter water bird census that began on January 6.
The census was held in all the wetlands and surrounding areas of the nation to determine the number of water birds, condition of their habitats and their present status.
According to the BCN, water birds are under threats due to different anthropogenic activities in the sources of water.
Human interventions and rapid development activities such as construction of fast track corridor, infrastructure at the abandoned Chobhar Cement Factory and Taudaha beautification process are some of the activities which resulted in the decline of the water birds in the Taudaha Lake area.
Destruction of water bodies, pollution and different human activities like hunting, boating and disposal of drainage in the sources of water are the main threats faced by the water birds.
The BCN stated that conservation and management of the water birds is necessary in such circumstances.
By mid-winter (January 18), altogether, 68 birds were recorded at the Taudaha Lake this season,
Vimal Thapa, general secretary of BCN, said, “We have noticed a sharp decline in the migratory birds over the years. The problem is same around the world and climate change has been blamed for this.”
The staff members of Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), volunteers, researchers, students, trekking guides and general public participated in the bird counting programmme. The bird counting activity covered the Chovar-based Jal Binayak Temple, moved down to the Bagmati and Taudaha.
Of the recorded 68 water birds, 23 were migratory birds. Of them, 13 were water birds.
Previously recorded birds - Common Pochard, Indian Spot-Billed Duck, Northern Shoveler and Ruddy Shelduck were not seen this year, Thapa said.
The main winter waterfowls counted were Bar-headed Goose (Khoya Hans), Gadwal, Mallard (Haritauke hans), Common Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Coot and Great Cormorant (Jalewa), among others.
Taudaha is the only destination for observing the migratory birds in the Kathmandu Valley.
Nepal is home to 887 birds species and of them 200 bird species are water birds.
The census of birds is conducted every year in Nepal in support of Himalayan Nature from 1987.
Around 300 enumerators, including 40 bird specialists have been deputed to count water birds across the nation.
Water bird or aquatic birds are those that live in or around water. The water birds were counted in more than five dozen wetlands, ponds and river across the country.
Under the leadership of Wetland International, the census of water birds is held in the same season around the world. Of the total critically endangered water bird species, 13 are found in Nepal.
Of the 149 endangered bird species, 40 are water birds of wetlands.