KATHMANDU, Jan 23: The number of water birds has been found increasing in Shuklaphanta National Park and surrounding wetlands this year.
A total of 25,660 water birds of 82 species were recorded in the recently conducted water bird census which is more by 3,500 as compared to previous year.
Water birds census begins in Shuklaphanta National Park
The water bird census was conducted at Sikari pond, Rani pond, Baba pond, Silgauri pond, Radhapur wetland, Mahakali river and Chaudhar river bank area as well as Puraini pond, Ratanpur wetland and Banda pond.
Around 21,800 water birds were counted last year. Senior ornithologist of Bird Conservation Nepal, Hiru Lal Dagaura, said 645 birds were seen at Mahakali river, 227 in Rani pond, 212 in Radhapur wetland area, 618 in Ratanpur farmland, 450 in Tara pond, 53 in Kalikich, 20,949 in Sikari pond, 1554 in Puraini pond, 70 in Nakaiya wetland, 130 in Gudbijula pond and 281 in Banda pond in course of census.
The water bird census was conducted at the leadership of Shuklaphanta National Park in participation with National Trust for Nature Conservation, Shuklaphanta, ZSL Shuklaphanta Nepal, BCN, Buffer Zone Management Committee, Himali Prakriti, Nature Guide Association, Rana Tharu Homestay, Kanchanpur Bird Conservation Group and Nepalese Ornithological Union.
The number of water birds at Sikari pond inside national park and Puraini pond and Nakaiya wetland outside the national park has been found to have increased this year as compared to previous year, added Dagaura.
