Population of winter birds decreases in Koshi Tappu

By Baburam Karki,Barahkshetra, Mar. 13: The number of winter birds visiting Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve has been found to have decreased this year. 

The recent water bird census conducted in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) showed that while the overall number of individuals has decreased, there has been an increase in the diversity of bird species. The census, which began in the second week of January and was conducted by the Himalayan Nature Society under the coordination of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, revealed a decrease in the number of birds in KTWR.

In 2023, a total of 7,553 birds belonging to 56 species of winter birds were counted. However, this year, only 5,527 individuals of 53 species were found within the reserve.

According to Binay Kumar Mishra, Information Officer of the KTWR, the number of birds has decreased in the area this year compared to the previous years but the species have increased. “As of the total species of bird recorded in the KTWR, 525 species were recorded in 2023, whereas this year, the number of species has increased to 531 species.

The number of birds that were seen in thousands until a few years ago has been decreasing in recent years.

 Birendra Gautam, Chief of the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) Koshi Tappu Centre, said that despite the increase in new species of birds, there has been a decrease in the number and species of winter birds this year.

He said that 848 swans have been seen in the area. Of them, 506 were Ruddy shelducks, 455 Red-wattled Lapwings 445 Great cormorants and 376 Cattle egrets.

In 2019, the number of birds in KTWR was recorded at 9,289, according to the Reserve Office. 

In the participation of bird experts and conservation workers, the Koshi Bird Society counted the birds in the reserve area in the Koshi River, Koshi Tappu Bhagalpur, Koshi Barrage and Barju Lake for five days.

Gautam said that Ruddy shelducks, which was seen in thousands of numbers before, has been decreasing over the last three years. 

According to NTNC Koshi Tappu Centre, the number of water birds that come from Siberia, China, and Kuwait to escape the cold in the winter season is decreasing.