Seven new bird species found in Gulmi district

By Ramesh Bishwakarma,Gulmi, Aug.8: Seven new bird species have been discovered in Gulmi during a bird survey in the Resunga Forest Conservation Area and the Madane Forest Conservation Area in Gulmi district.

According to Bharat Panthi, project officer at Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), one new bird species was found in the Resunga Forest Conservation Area, covering 19,281.65 hectares. This area now includes a species known as the Little Egret (sano setobakulla). With this bird, the total number of birds in the area reached 263.

Six new bird species have been discovered in the Madane Forest Conservation Area, which spans 13,761 hectares. The new species found in this area include Chakasuchak (Yellow-rumped Honeyguide), Kalokanthe Bhuirobin (Desert Wheatear), Shyanshwet Arjunak (Little Pied Flycatcher), Kalo Bungechari, Aali Chuiya and Himali Lokchari. 

With these additions, the total number of bird species in the Madane Forest Conservation Area now stands at 286.

The government declared Resunga as a forest conservation area in 2016 and Madane in 2011. The BCN, Gulmi, conducts research and counts the bird species in these areas every year in April and December. So far, 35 per cent of the 892 bird species found in Nepal are located in the Resunga and Madane Forest Conservation Areas.

The number of birds in these areas has been increasing annually, with 305 species recorded so far. Both forest areas are home to six of the world’s rarest bird species. In the Resunga Forest Conservation Area, these include the Cheer Pheasant, Red-headed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, and Himalayan Griffon. The Madane Forest Conservation Area also hosts the Cheer Pheasant, White-rumped Vulture, Red-headed Vulture and Slender-billed Vulture.

Similarly, the Spiny Babbler, which is found only in Nepal, is present in both conservation areas. Resunga hosts 56 species of bird and Madane hosts 61 species. Resunga has one, and Madane has three protected bird species. Resunga has 15 species listed as nationally threatened, while Madane has 13.

Several challenges have been identified for the conservation of these rare birds. Issues such as occasional forest fires, habitat changes, poaching, increasing use of chemicals and unorganised rural roads pose significant threats to bird conservation. To address these challenges, various programmes have been implemented, including the construction of conservation ponds, improved stoves for locals connected to the forest areas, awareness programmes and distribution of forest fire control equipment. 

The Nepal Bird Conservation Association, Gulmi, has also distributed beekeeping supplies, improved maize seeds, various fruit saplings and vegetable seeds to the locals for their livelihood.