Demand not to plant in Kanti Lake

Conservationists are protesting through social media after trying to operate a motorboat in Kanti Lake, a natural wetland in Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city-21 and 22. They have started a campaign to save Kanti Lake.

The contractor has been doing fish farming in the lake for two years, and this time motorboats are also ready to operate. After the operation of motorboats, the conservationists have expressed their concern that there is a danger that the existence of the lake as a natural wetland will end.

Two years ago, local contractor Phan Bahadur Gurung was asked to carry out activities including fish farming in the lake. The contract was awarded . Earlier, the sub-metropolitan city had given a contract to operate motorboats in another wetland water park as well.

According to the Revenue Branch of the Sub-Metropolitan City, the contractor pays an annual revenue of Rs. The duration of the agreement is 10 years. The lake, which has been lying idle for years, was developed as a tourist spot by the sub-metropolitan corporation by spending 10.5 million rupees.

Suburban municipality has constructed a 7-meter black road, paved canal, parking area, railings, and plantations around the lake. 32 species of birds were seen in this wetland in Nepalganj city in one and a half hours on the same day. including

Siberian Experts say that studies have shown that birds from abroad also use the lake as a habitat. Conservationist Kamal Rai said that after the operation of motorboats, the habitats of various species of birds, reptiles and plants will disappear.

'There are a lot of birds living in the lake,' Rai said, 'After the motorboat runs, all the habitats of the birds and reptiles are destroyed and the different species of flowers and bushes that grow here are destroyed.' He alleged that the natural existence of Kanti Lake is also being destroyed while wetlands are being eroded one after the other in the sub-metropolitan area. Motorboats running on fuel will be dangerous for aquatic life even if they do fish farming. Fish and insects are the main food in the lake for the rare storks and malaha cats," conservationist Choudhary said, "motorboats are considered very dangerous for these animals, but the contractor is trying to operate a motorboat, a plant has been brought and kept,"

According to him, visitors from outside come to Kanti lake during the winter season . There is also a good habitat for local birds. He said that the birds that come here from outside stay for a few months and produce babies. Conservationists here have been counting birds in Kanti Lake for two years. "In the first year, 25 species of birds were found here, in the second year, only 22 species of birds were found. We are planning to count the birds again in the coming winter," said Chaudhary, a conservationist.

According to him, the rare species Malaha cat (fishing cat), the rare bird Sarash, various species of reptiles, and birds have made a lot of habitat in Kanti Lake. Clean Nepalgunj, Green Nepalgunj, Dr. Binod Karn said that even though he stopped operating the motorboat for the time being after their protest, they are trying to operate the boat in the lake.

Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city involved, the contractor tried to run a motorboat in Kanti Lake. Karna's insistence is . "It is necessary for the sub-metropolitan municipality to take care of which lakes to operate motorboats and which lakes not to operate motorboats. It is not a good thing to destroy the environment and try to operate boats," said Karna.

Pramod Rizal, the spokesperson of the Sub-Metropolitan City, said that motorboat driving in Kanti Lake is allowed. Said that permission was not granted. "After allowing motorboats to run in the water park, no decision has been taken to run motorboats in Kanti Lake," he said, "Kanti Lake needs to be developed as a wetland." Therefore, we will hold a meeting and decide what to do about this matter.' Spokesperson Rizal said that even by developing Kanti Lake as a wetland, there is a possibility of development of tourism.

Bir Bahadur Thapa, head of the sub-metropolitan revenue branch, said that the contractor of Kanti Lake has been paying Rs. 22 lakh 50 thousand annually. 'Dhawalshamsher Rana was the mayor of this lake for 10 years, mainly for fish farming,' said Thapa, the head of the revenue branch, 'the contractor is doing fish farming.' ; According to the count started two years ago, 25 species of birds were found here in the first year . Similarly, in the second year, only 22 species of birds have been found. Conservationists have a plan to count birds in the upcoming winter season as well. The

lake is home to rare birds like storks, other birds of prey, different species of reptiles, rare species of Malaha cat (fishing cat). In summer, birds from Europe, Middle East Asia, and Indonesia make their habitat here, while in winter, birds from Siberia, North Birds come from countries including China.

Migratory birds also breed in the lake. Banke National Park Ranger Yam Rawat, who is also a bird expert, said, "Kanti Lake is also a breeding ground for rare storks." Kanti Lake is considered to be the best habitat for storks in Banke and Bardiya.

The habitat of storks is the coastal area of ​​Rapti River in Banke, Kanti Lake and Mankhola. However, ornithologists say that the best habitat among these is Kanti Lake. According to ornithologists, the districts where storks are found are Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Banke, Bardia and Kailali. During the previous count, only 33 storks were found in Banke .

The ranger of Rawat National Park, who is also a bird expert, said that after the operation of motor boats in Kanti Lake, the habitats of the dependent animals including rare birds will be lost. This will affect the ecosystem itself. "Kanti Lake is home to local rare species of birds, seasonal visitors from outside also disappear, this destroys the ecosystem," he said.