Kathmandu, January 2. Water bird census has been started from Saturday in Shuklaphanta National Park and other areas. Water bird census has been started in the lakes and rivers inside and outside the park. The counting will continue till January 16.

For the census the staff of the park office, experts of Nepal Bird Conservation Association, representatives of Himali Prakriti, NTNC, Nature Guide Association are participating.

According to the association’s ornithologist Hirulal Dagoura, those involved in the census use binoculars, telescopes and cameras for counting the aquatic birds. He said that water birds would be counted reaching onsite and boarding a boat.

According to him, water birds will be counted in Ranital, Taratal, Kalikich Lake, Bedkot, Bandatal, Puranital, Pyaratal, Sally river, Chaudhar river and border areas.

Counting in lakes and rivers will take palce on foot, elephants will be used to do the counting in the Salgaundi lake inside the park. Water birds are being monitored and counted every year to find out the distribution and status of native and migratory birds in the lake and wetland areas, to update the numbers, to raise awareness with the participation of local communities and stakeholders in conservation.

The census also provides information about the condition of the lake where water birds live, Dagoura said. At the same time, information is taken about the condition of the wetland area, human encroachment on the lake and the natural damage. During last year’s census, 48 species including some world’s rarest stork were found during the census of waterfowl in the park and outlying areas.

According to Dagoura, there is enough space for food, security and nesting in the area, so the migratory water birds migrate to the area including some from Siberia, India and Sri Lanka. A similar, water bird census has been started in lakes and watershed areas of Kailali from Saturday.

Ornithologist Dagora informed RSS that water bird count has been started from Ghodaghodi Lake area. Water bird will be counted in the lakes of Karnali, including Ghodaghodi, Kohli, Lokabhauka, Ghoda, Suniyarupiya, Purana and Karnali. Water birds will be counted using raft on the Karnali River.

According to last year’s census, 32 species of water birds were found in the catchment area of Kailali.