Gulmi, Aug 14: At least eight new species of birds were detected in the Resunga and Madane protected forest areas.
According to a survey conducted by
the Nepal Bird Conservation Association, the birds were found in Madane and
Resunga forest protected areas, project officer of the association Bharat
Panthi told RSS.
He further said that among the new
species of birds found in Madane forest area were Chakasuchak, Kalokantha
Bhuinrobin, Shyamshwet Arjunak, Kalo Bungechari, Aali Chuiya, Himali Lekchari
and Sano Seto Bakulla (little egret).
He said that bird survey is being
carried out in Gulmi twice a year through the Mackinnon listing method. Gulmi
is one of the habitats of rarest species of birds found in the world. At least
six species of birds among the rare ones in the world are found in the district
alone.
Among the rare species of birds
found in Resunga and Madane forest conservation area of Gulmi are vultures,
including Chirkalij, Ranamachch Mahachil, Dangar Vulture, Soto Vulture, Sun
Vulture and Gomayo Mahachil.
The Resunga and Madane forest areas
also have the world's rare, spiny babbler (Kande Bhyakur), which is only found
in Nepal.
Gulmi alone has 35 per cent of the
892 species of birds found in Nepal. According to a survey, 263 species of
birds have been found in Resunga and 286 species in Madane.
Madane's forest area stretches from
975 metres to 2,690 metres while Resunga forest area ranges from 575 to 2,345
metres. In terms of forest area, Resunga has an area of 19,281 hectares while
Madane has 13,743 hectares.
Panthi further informed that the
number of rare species of birds is increasing in Resunga and Madane conserved
forests. Division Forest Office Gulmi chief Jeevan Pangeni highlighted
spectacular role of the local governments in preserving the habitat of the
endangered birds, including spiny babbler.
Nepal Bird Conservation Association
has been running livelihood support programmes in the wards adjoining the
forest area. The programme has helped the locals around the forest area
conserve the forest and search for rare species of birds. (RSS)