Although it is a guest bird, most Nepalis have heard of the name Chakhewa. Stories related to this bird are also used in Nepali songs and literature.

The chakhewa, which mates for life, crosses the mountains during the winter and comes to the Terai region of Nepal for food and shelter. This time, the number of chakhewa has decreased dramatically in the eastern part of Chitwan National Park.

The birds are considered to have nests where they lay eggs and raise their young. Hathan Chaudhary Chakhewa, president of the Nepal Ornithologists' Association, said that they build their nests in the high areas beyond the mountains covered with snow. He said that during the winter, the thick snow there completely covers the food and shelter, so this bird comes to the Terai region of Nepal in search of warm places and food.

The water-dependent birds that come in search of food and shelter, including chakhewa, have been counted every year since 1987. This year, the Chitwan National Park area was divided into three parts and the bird count was conducted. The Rapti River area is in the eastern and central parts of the park. The census conducted here has found fewer waterfowl compared to the previous year.

Waterfowl usually feed in flowing rivers and streams. ‘This time, 2,740 waterfowl were found in the census conducted from Lothar to Ghatgai in the Rapti River,’ said Basu Bidari of the Nepal Ornithologists’ Association, who led the census. Last year, there were 4,107 waterfowl in this area. Waterfowl were counted in 10 different areas in the eastern part of Chitwan Park.

According to Vijay Giri, president of the Bird Education Society of Sauraha, who was involved in the census, the overall number of birds has decreased compared to the previous year. But the species have increased, he said. This year, 5,848 waterfowl of 62 species have been found. Last year, when a total of 55 species of waterfowl were found, the total number was 8,086. Bidari says that the number of chakhewa has decreased this year due to the sudden decrease in the number of birds. ‘Weeds of the species of michaha around the bird’s habitat, increasing human pressure and pollution have emerged as challenges,’ said Bijay Giri, president of the Bird Education Society.

Bidari also says that pollution in the river is the main reason for the decrease in chakhewa. He said that the sudden decrease in the number of chakhewa, a well-drained water bird in the Nepali climate, is a matter of concern.

Hathan Chaudhary, president of the Nepal Ornithologists’ Association, said that this bird comes here from Ladakh in India, Tibet in China, other high altitudes where there is snow, and Siberia. It starts arriving from the end of October and stays until November. As the temperature rises, it starts returning from March and all return by May. Hathan says that it starts nesting in June/July and laying eggs, hatching chicks and raising chicks in the high Himalayan regions of Manang and Mustang in Nepal. ‘I found a nest in Manang 15 years ago. Other friends have also seen nests and chicks in Damodarkunda in Mustang. This is a very rare occurrence. Otherwise, it returns to its original place to nest,’ said Hathan.

The main food of this bird is leucorrhea. It also eats rice grains and sprouts that have fallen in the fields. ‘As is common in Nepali society, it does not change the pair it chooses once. But the statement that it separates after dusk is not true,’ said Hathan. Did the chakhewa, which once chose a partner, change its route and come to Chitwan Rapti less? The birds say that they are doing this due to the lack of a suitable environment.

Hathan said that the chakhewa were rarely found in the western part of Rapti this time too. Overall, the chakhewa is decreasing in Rapti. ‘Galley sand mining has also increased.’ There are other reasons too. Pollution and human pressure affect its number,’ said Hathan.