KATHMANDU: A simultaneous waterfowl census across Nepal’s lakes, ponds, rivers, and wetlands begins today, aiming to gather critical data on waterfowl species, populations, and habitat conditions.
The census, organized annually since 1987, will run from January 4 to 19.
Laxman Prasad Paudyal, senior ornithologist at the Nepal Ornithologists’ Association and coordinator of the census for Wetlands International Nepal, stated that this year’s effort will include major wetland regions such as the Tarai, Inner Madhes, Rara Lake, Kathmandu Valley, and Pokhara Valley.
Data will be collected on both resident and migratory birds.
Migratory species from cold regions like Russia, China, and Mongolia flock to Nepal’s wetlands during winter, drawn by the favorable climate and abundant food sources such as fish and ants.
Paudyal highlighted the census’s role in conserving Nepal’s biodiversity, assessing wetland health, understanding climate change impacts, and formulating conservation plans.
The data will support international agreements like the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species, as well as initiatives such as Wetlands International’s Waterbird Population Estimation Program.
Last year, 402 volunteers recorded 63,900 waterbirds from 79 species in 84 sites across 18 major wetlands, including six Ramsar-listed areas.
This year’s preliminary results will be announced on World Wetlands Day, February 2, with a detailed report expected during Wildlife Week from April 1 to 7.
Thousands of migratory birds arrive in Nepal annually, seeking refuge from harsh winters in the Northern Hemisphere.
Species like ducks, gannets, and ospreys find safe habitats in Nepal’s protected areas. The census provides crucial insights into these migratory patterns, the state of wetlands, and biodiversity trends over time.
With 24 site coordinators and hundreds of volunteers deployed nationwide, the census exemplifies Nepal’s commitment to environmental stewardship and global biodiversity conservation efforts.
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