190 ponds built in BNP to provide water for wildlife

By Jyoti Panti,Babai (Bardiya), Mar. 18: A total of 190 natural and artificial ponds have been built inside Bardiya National Park (BNP) to ensure that wildlife have access to water throughout the year. As the summer season begins, the park administration has started preparing to repair and operate these ponds.

Although the park, which covers nearly 968 square kilometres, has natural water sources including the Karnali River, many ponds dry up during the summer. To prevent water shortages for wildlife, the park has been constructing and managing artificial ponds.

Among the 190 ponds built by the park, most are artificial. Of these, 55 ponds operate using solar-powered systems. Since natural ponds often dry up during the summer season, artificial ponds have become an important source of water for wildlife.

According to the park administration, some equipment installed in the artificial ponds have developed technical problems. Due to a lack of budget, not all equipment can be repaired on time, which has affected the operation of some ponds.

Saroj Mani Poudel, conservation officer and information officer at the park, said that although most ponds are operational, some require repair and the park office has begun efforts to fix them.

When ponds inside the park run dry, wildlife often move towards the Geruwa branch of the Karnali River in search of water. However, after the river changed its course towards the west, the amount of water in the channel has decreased during the summer.

Park sources said that due to water shortages last year, Rhinoceros that migrated towards India have not yet returned to Nepal.

Due to a shortage of funds for the regular operation and maintenance of the artificial ponds, the park has requested additional budget from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

Officials said that compared to previous years, budget cuts this year have made maintenance work more challenging.

Chief Conservation Officer Ashok Ram said the park has begun repairing and managing the ponds to ensure wildlife do not face water shortages during the summer. He added that the park is also coordinating with non-governmental organisations to ensure adequate water supply for wildlife.