KANCHANPUR: The population of water birds in Shuklaphanta National Park and its surrounding wetlands has increased significantly this year, according to the latest water bird census.
A total of 25,660 water birds representing 82 species were recorded during the census, marking an increase of about 3,500 birds compared to last year, when around 21,800 birds were counted.
The census covered major wetlands and water bodies, including Sikari Pond, Rani Pond, Baba Pond, Silgauri Pond, Radhapur Wetland, the Mahakali and Chaudhar riverbanks, as well as Puraini Pond, Ratanpur Wetland and Banda Pond.
Senior ornithologist at Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), Hiru Lal Dagaura, said the highest number of birds—20,949—was recorded at Sikari Pond. Other notable counts included 1,554 birds at Puraini Pond, 645 along the Mahakali River, 618 in Ratanpur farmland, 450 at Tara Pond, 281 at Banda Pond, 227 at Rani Pond and 212 at Radhapur Wetland. Smaller numbers were observed at Nakaiya Wetland (70), Gudbijula Pond (130), Kalikich (53) and other sites.
The census was conducted under the leadership of Shuklaphanta National Park, in collaboration with the National Trust for Nature Conservation–Shuklaphanta, ZSL Nepal–Shuklaphanta, Bird Conservation Nepal, the Buffer Zone Management Committee, Himali Prakriti, Nature Guide Association, Rana Tharu Homestay, Kanchanpur Bird Conservation Group and the Nepalese Ornithological Union.
Dagaura noted that the number of water birds at Sikari Pond inside the national park, as well as at Puraini Pond and Nakaiya Wetland outside the park, has increased compared to last year, indicating improving wetland conditions and habitat quality.
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