Kanchanpur, December 17 : The number of migratory birds have started increasing in the rivers, lakes, and wetland areas of Kanchanpur. Birds have been flocking towards the mountains from Siberia, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, northern China, Mongolia, and other parts of the world, to avoid winter where temperatures have reached below zero degree.

The migratory birds coming to find food and to avoid the cold is a continuous process. Most migratory birds are waterfowl and other predators. The number of migratory birds from other countries has started to increase in Shuklaphanta National Park, Shikari Lake, Baba Lake, Salgaudital, and Ranital.

Birds continue to visit the areas outside the park including Kalikich, Bandatal, Mahakali, Chaudhar, Salli, Sanwora, and Doda rivers. The migration of birds from the first week of September continues till the second week of December. As the heat intensifies, migratory birds return to their native places.

According to Hira Lal Dagaura, an ornithologist at the Nepal Bird Conservation Association, 150 species of birds visit Nepal every year to avoid winter, out of which half of them are ducks. More than 30 species of migratory birds have been seen in Kanchanpur, Kailali’s Taltalaiya, river and wetland areas. According to him, migratory birds including Malak duck, Kharkhase duck and other migratory birds have been seen. He said that the number of migratory birds has been declining since the last few years.

Even though the lake area inside the park is safe for birds, there is a growing shortage of food for the birds living outside the park as they are contracted for fishing, he said. “After fishing in the lake, the birds are chased away, killing and slinging have also started. Many challenges have been added to save the birds, as the lake dries up due to human encroachment.”

“Awareness-raising education has helped in reduce the number of killings. People living near the reservoir area work to protect the migratory birds,” said Dagaura.

Shuklaphanta National Park is also a popular destination for bird watchers. There are 450 species of birds in the park. Due to continuous efforts being made for the conservation of birds inside and outside the park, the smuggling and hunting of birds have been on the decline. Bird conservation education is also being imparted to the residents of intermediate areas and schools.

The park office has been monitoring and counting the number of waterfowls and other birds every year. This will improve bird conservation efforts. Ornithologists advise that the aquatic habitat needs to be improved and wetlands need to be conserved, adding that bird hunting must be reduced as well.

Rajendra Paneru/RRS