Waterbird Conservation

In a worrying trend, the number of visiting waterbirds has declined in the Narayani River area.  A waterbird named Ruddy Shelduck, commonly called Chakhewa in Nepali, used to be found in abundance along the Narayani River towards Nawalpur until last year, but their number has taken a 50 per cent dive this year. In the 2021 bird census, 47 bird species were sighted in the area. That number dropped to only 37 in 2022. The year 2023 saw a slight increase of the number to 43, only to drop to 41 this year. Surprisingly, eight bird species observed last year were not present this year. But here is also a share of good news: the Eurasian Wigeon (Sindhure Hans), Common Pochard (Kailetauke Hans), Kentish Plover (Alak Chandra Raj Putrika), Wood Sandpiper (Ban Sud Sudia), and Dunlin (Thulo Jal Rang) were observed for the first time in the Narayani River, which were absent during last year's bird count.

Experts chiefly blame a range of anthropogenic activities in and around the wetlands that have spoiled or destroyed their habitat, as well as climate change, for this. What's more, disruptions in their migratory routes, likely caused by changes in the environment is said to be another factor. The rivers are getting increasingly polluted with the daily mixing of sewage and garbage into water sources, causing water bodies to dry up and exacerbating the problem. Conservation experts have pointed out the recent uptick in illegal poaching in our national parks and wetlands as another cause for the decline.

A total of 162 bird species inhabit the water areas of Nepal. Out of the overall avian population, more than 200 species are reliant on water, including 100 species categorised as visiting birds. During winter, the winged guests seek refuge in wetlands near rivers. Every year, migratory birds from Siberia, China, Russia, Mongolia, Thailand, Korea, Burma, and other countries arrive to the river and its surrounding areas during this time mainly to evade extreme cold in the places where they come from. 

Wetlands are a crucial part of the ecosystem that regulate water and play a unique role in keeping the food chain intact. They are also habitats for several species of wildlife, from aquatic animals to migratory birds. Spread from high mountains to lowland plains, they support a variety of ecosystems. A crucial source of freshwater, they also breathe life into many critically important biodiversity, providing sanctuary to many endangered species. Many of such areas are so culturally and religiously significant to so many people that they form the basis of their identities, not to mention the source of livelihoods. 

Given this, it's incumbent upon the government as well as every citizen to spring into action to reverse the trend. The former must adopt stringent policy measures that not only go a long way to stop poachers of all stripes to rear their ugly heads again and again, but also to strongly put all natural resources at the centre. Preserving their pristine condition as well as sanctity must take precedence over everything else, tourism included. The reason:  once they are gone for good, the damage done is irreversible. That also amount to losing our national heritage – the source of national pride. The time to act in now!