Puraini Lake in Bhurakot is gradually developing into a popular bird-watching destination. Visitors can easily observe birds foraging for food, flying, and floating on the lake. Students and young members of conservation groups frequently visit the lake to watch birds. According to resident Dinesh Chaudhary, both domestic and international tourists with an interest in birds, as well as researchers, have been visiting the area.
“In the past, when the water level in the lake remained stable, the number of birds was significantly higher,” said Chaudhary. “However, increasing encroachment and a decline in food availability have led to a decrease in bird populations.”
The lake is home to 55 species of waterfowl. It is the only lake outside Shuklaphanta National Park where a large variety of bird species can be found in one place. According to bird expert Hirulal Dagoura from Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), the 30-bigha (approximately 20-hectare) lake hosts species such as the bar-headed goose, northern pintail, lesser whistling duck, common teal, garganey, little grebe, sarus crane, Indian spotted eagle, greater spotted eagle, and various species of herons.

Additionally, species like the ruddy shelduck, red-crested pochard, common pochard, tufted duck, falcated duck, gadwall, mallard, and more are also found in the lake, as per bird expert Dagoura. Native water birds can be seen in the lake throughout the year, whereas migratory birds visit the lake only during the winter. Before the onset of summer, these migratory birds return to their original habitats, including Siberia and other regions.
A 2017 survey recorded 2,200 water birds in the lake. However, by 2025, the population has drastically declined to 705 birds. “The continuous degradation of wetlands around the lake in recent years has led to a decline in bird sightings,” said Dagoura. “Additionally, illegal bird hunting using pesticides poses a serious challenge to conservation efforts.”
Dagoura emphasizes the need for local authorities to take action to preserve the lake. In recent years, domestic tourists have also started visiting the lake for birdwatching. Bhojraj Chaudhary, Ward Chairperson of Municipality-6, stated that efforts are being made to protect the lake. “We have plans to remove encroachments and clear water hyacinths systematically,” he said. “A proposal has already been submitted to the municipal executive, and we are hopeful about its implementation.”