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32 New Migratory Waterbird Species Recorded in District

32 New Migratory Waterbird Species Recorded in District

This year, 32 species of migratory waterbirds have been recorded in the district. The count was based on this year’s bird survey results.

According to bird conservationist Ashish Chaudhary, the survey and counting started from the Rapti River in Kusum, Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-1, where 32 additional species of birds were found. “During the survey in the Rapti River from Kusum to Ageya, as well as in various lakes and rivers, we recorded 32 more species of waterbirds this year,” he said. “Compared to last year, the number of new birds has increased.”

Chaudhary reported that 20 species of winter migratory waterbirds were found in Kantital, while a total of 32 species were recorded across the district. He believes that proper conservation of wetlands, rivers, and other necessary infrastructures would further increase the bird population.

Ornithologist Ram Shahi explained that bird counting helps gather detailed information on their habitat and conservation status. He noted that the Rapti River coastal areas, Sutiya Lake, and Kantital provide a safe habitat for species such as greylag geese, cormorants, and other wading birds.

“Waterbird species thrive when their wetland habitats are clean and pollution-free,” Shahi said. “Compared to last year, the increase in greylag geese and cormorants is due to cleaner lakes and wetlands this year.” He also mentioned that species such as ruddy shelducks, along with birds migrating from Siberia and Russia, were spotted during the survey.

Chief Division Forest Officer of Banke Division Forest Office, Shankar Prasad Gupta, confirmed that the bird count recorded 32 additional species this year. He emphasized that controlling human activities and pollution in key bird habitats like the Rapti River and Kantital has contributed to this increase. He also stressed the need to develop Kantital as a protected bird conservation area, as it is an important wetland.

Mandeep Pangeni, Information Officer at Banke National Park, mentioned that this winter’s bird survey revealed new and interesting bird species. He stated that a special plan will be implemented to keep habitats around the Rapti River, local forests, Kantital, and Sutiya Lake clean and safe to further increase bird populations in the coming years.

Annual bird surveys and counts help in identifying measures needed for habitat conservation. A similar survey and bird count have been completed in Bardiya, while the count for native bird species is still pending, according to conservationist Chaudhary.

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