By Abinash Chaudhary
Dhangadi, Jan. 5: Census of water birds is being conducted in the far-western region, rich in various rare birds.
The census of water birds has begun to find out the status of migratory and native water birds in the area. Initially, birds are being counted in Ghodaghodi in Kailali and Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur.
The census of water birds has been going on in Shuklaphanta since January 2 and at Ghodaghodi Lake since January 3, which is listed in the world wetland area.
Ornithologist Hirulal Dagaura informed that the water birds are being counted by forming separate teams in both the areas.
The census was almost completed on Tuesday at the Ghodaghodi Lake area where 343 species of birds were found. So far, 64 species of water birds have been recorded in this lake.
Although the number of native water birds has been recorded in the last census, it is said that the number of migratory water birds is small. ‘The number of water birds in the Nakrod Lake area is good.
However, small numbers of migratory water birds were seen in the main Ghodaghodi Lake,” said Dagaura. “The condition of the guest water birds in Ghodaghodi Lake is not satisfactory,” he said. In the Ghodaghodi Lake area, which is considered to be a big wetland, water birds from China, Siberia and Mongolia come in winter to escape extreme cold in those countries.
Three teams have been formed to count the birds in the Ghodaghodi Lake area. Water bird census will also be conducted in the wetland in the Basanta forest area.
Similarly, a separate team is counting water birds in the protected area Shuklaphanta National Park (SNP). So far, 450 bird species have been recorded in the park.
According to Rabin Chaudhary, Assistant Conservation Officer of SNP, water birds are being counted under the leadership of the Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN). “The count is ongoing,” he said.
Indigenous water birds including winter birds are found in the natural lakes including Shikari Lake, Kalikich, Rani, Taratal and Solgauri. Similarly, water birds are also found in the artificial ponds made in the park. Chaudhary informed that water birds would be counted in the Chaudhar River in the park as well.
According to ornithologist Dagaura, who is also the field officer of BCN, the census is still going on in the large wetland area inside the park. The census of water birds will continue till January 19.