By Mukunda Subedi, Bardiya, Jan. 11: The Bardiya Conservation Club has been conducting winter bird count in and around the Bardiya National Park area. 

Bird specialist and the Chairman of the club Ram Shahi said that bird counting was underway by categorising the bird habitats. According to him, rivers, lakes and wetlands of national park premises have been included to bird counting.

"Count will be conducted from Karnali Chisapani to Kothiyaghat, Karnali Chisapani to Daulatpur Ghat, Bhagahar Lake of Blackbuck Conservation Area, Badhaiya Lake, Satkhaluwa Lake, Babai (Chepang) bridge among other places," said Shahi. 

He also informed that a team of 60 people has been involved to count the birds and counting will be completed by tomorrow. A total of 60 people are volunteering the bird counting process. 

Species remain same, numbers decrease

According to Chairman Shahi the number of winter water birds have decreased in comparison to the previous years. He said that bird’s numbers had significantly decreased around Karnali river side and Badhaiya Lake premises however, no downfall in number of bird species has been recorded.

Shahi claimed that the decrement of winer birds may have been affected by the Dam construction around the Karnali River where the movement of excavators and tippers disturbs the bird’s natural habitat. Same problems were noticed around Badhaiya Lake premises where new buildings, vehicles and picnic activities cause sound pollution.

Photos: Deepak Rajbansi