BANKE: Thirty-two species of aquatic birds that had migrated to Banke during the winter have been recorded in the district, according to a bird census conducted this year.
Bird conservationist Ashish Chaudhary said that 32 more species of birds were found in the census conducted from the Rapti River at Kusum of Raptisonari Rural Municipality-1.
This many species of migratory water birds were detected along Sikta area from Kusum of Rapti river and different lakes and rivers in the district.
Chaudhary informed that 20 species of winter visitor water birds have been found in Kanti Lake and 32 species across the district.
According to him, the number of birds would increase further if the conservation of wetlands and other infrastructure management could be made effective for the conservation of water birds.
Ruddy Shelduck, Siberian birds and birds migrating from Russia were recorded during the census, said Ornithologist Ram Shahi. He added that garbage piled at ponds and lakes has shrunk habitat of the aquatic birds.
“The habitats of birds are also at risk due to noise pollution at picnic sites located near ponds and lakes,” Shahi added.
Aquatic birds including Gadwall, Lesser Whistling Duck were also found in course of the survey. A total of 276 birds were recorded in the survey conducted by Banke National Park and Buffer Zone community.
Information Officer at the Banke National Park, Mandeep Pangeni, shared that a team comprising Ornithologist Joshi had conducted the two-day survey and different species of birds were found at surrounding areas of Rapti river, local forest, Kanti and Sutaiya ponds and their habitats were found safe.
He expressed the belief that survey conducted every year would help for the management of habitats of the birds.
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