Plan to operate motorboats in Kanti Tal opposed

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Aug.26: Locals of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, have demanded a ban on the operation of motorboats in Kanti Tal (lake) citing that the lake is a breeding place for the rare cranes.

When preparations are being made to operate motorboats in the lake, which spreads over 25 bighas of land in Ward Nos. 21 and 22 of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, bird experts and conservationists have demanded that the wetland area should be preserved in its natural form. 

According to Diru Dangaura, Project Field Officer of Nepal Bird Association, the operation of motorboats could damage the ecosystem in which the birds, both native and migratory thrive. 

“As an alternative to riding motorboats on the lake, a natural bird park can be created which can be a good source to generate income. Kanti Lake is home to almost 32 species of rare birds, it’s a breeding place for rare cranes, so the stakeholders should work on conserving this lake in its natural form," said Dangaura.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana only breeds in wet-land and based on that, only a few places in Nepal have breeding centers separated for them including Kanti Tal of Banke, Badhaiya Tal of Bardiya, Ghodaghodi of Kailai and Purauni Tal of Kanchanpur, said Dangaura.

Ram Bahadur Shahi, a bird expert, said that the operation of a motorboat in Kanti Tal could pose an existential threat to the birds by disrupting their natural habitat, ecosystem and food source.

“The lake can be developed as a bird watch centre for secondary and high school students which would generate a good source of income. Nepaljung Sub-Metropolitan City's decision to operate a motorboat will most probably destroy the natural habitat of some rare and endangered birds," said Sahi.

Bird experts said that Kanti Tal is among the well-conserved lakes in Banke district. Ashish Kumar Chaudhary, a local conservator, said that out of nine species of endangered cranes, six are found in the Tarai region and among the six, three species are witnessed in Kanti Tal.

Emphasising the importance of conserving Kanti Tal, he said that migratory birds from Siberia and Sri Lanka come to Kanti Tal every year to escape the harsh winter. A bird count has been carried out in Kanti Tal for the last two years, 25 species of birds were found in the lake in 2022 but only 22 species of birds were found while counting in 2023. However, this year, birds of 32 species were counted.