Waterbird population rises in Bardiya

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Jan. 21: A rise in the population of migratory and resident waterbirds in various lakes, ponds and rivers of Bardiya district has been seen this winter. 

According to Ram Bahadur Shahi, a central member of the Nepal Ornithological Association and ornithologist, a recent bird census revealed a rise in the number of waterbirds in the Geruwa and Karnali rivers, as well as Badhaiya Lake. Every year, migratory birds from Siberia and other parts of the world arrive in Nepal to escape the cold, and their population is systematically counted.

This year’s bird census recorded 3,889 waterbirds in Bardiya. Among them, 2,149 were found in Badhaiya Lake, 918 in the Karnali River and 822 in the Geruwa River, Shahi informed.

Altogether 3,204 birds were recorded in 2023, while in the 2022 census, 2,126 birds were documented. Shahi said that both the diversity and population of birds have increased this year.

Despite challenges to bird habitats in Bardiya, the rise in migratory bird numbers is a positive sign, Shahi said. 

However, due to budget constraints, bird counts could not be conducted in other water bodies of Bardiya, though some waterbirds are likely to inhabit those areas as well, he added.

Shahi urged the government to allocate adequate funds to organise bird counts systematically. He also added that factors such as water scarcity, habitat insecurity, food shortages, loud noises and environmental changes threaten bird habitats.

Shahi further said that unplanned development activities, which are often not environmentally friendly, have exacerbated the challenges to bird habitats. Issues like river course changes and electrocution from power lines continue to endanger birds.

According to the Nepal Ornithological Association, Nepal is home to 897 bird species, of which 200 are waterbirds. Similarly, 153 bird species migrate to Nepal annually.