Pokhara Metropolitan City ward number-25 Hemja has taken important steps in the direction of biological diversity conservation and has declared Gothe Latokosero as 'Wada Panchhi' and Rajgoman as 'Wada Serp'.

Ward President Motilal Timsina made the announcement at the Latokosero and snake protection and public awareness program held in Hemja on Saturday. The program was organized with the help of the Snake Protection Society of Nepal, the organization called Friends of Nature and the support of Ward No. 25.

This is the second time that Latokosero has been declared as a ward bird in Nepal. Earlier, Hapsilo has been declared in Jalpa of Khotang and various conservation works are being done. "This special announcement has been made in recognition of our commitment to the conservation of biological diversity and respect for this beautiful and useful bird," Ward President Timsina said, "Through this announcement, we intend to promote coexistence between nature and society, increase production in agriculture and spread the message of conservation awareness." . Among them, 13 species have been recorded in Pokhara Valley and 7 species in Hemja region. If more research is done, this number is likely to increase.

Gothe latokosero is a bird that prefers to live near human settlements. "This bird plays an important role in controlling rats in the agricultural sector," he said. That's why it is also called a farmer's friend.

Hemja area is a suitable habitat for it, so it can be found in significant numbers, he said. But due to the construction of modern buildings, lack of agriculture, use of slingshots and habitat destruction, this bird is in crisis, he said.

Ward No. 25 has already started various activities for the protection and promotion of Latokosero along with the "Friends of Nature" organization and the Division Forest Office Kaski. For this, the funds of the Whitley Prize have been used through the organization 'Friends of Nature'. This year, 80,000 rupees was allocated from the ward for Latokosero and snake protection.

During conservation work, 20 artificial nests for Latocosero have been installed in Hemja, and 19 old trees have been protected and regularly monitored. Likewise, public awareness and training programs have been conducted targeting 124 local residents, while awareness programs have been conducted for 389 students.

Tibrekot Community Forest has been declared Latokosero Conservation Special Area and Guleli Restricted Area. 2 Latocosero Clubs have been formed in Hemja Boarding and Gourishankar Mavi and training has been provided. Works such as planting, cleaning, painting have been completed through these clubs. Latokosero conservation ambassadors have been selected and provided visits and capacity building training.

Nepal's first 'ward snake' Rajgoman

Pokhara-25 Hemja is the first local level to announce Rajgoman as a ward snake in Nepal. Chairman of the Snake Protection Society. According to Ramji Gautam, there are about 4,000 species of snakes around the world. Among them, about 82 species of snakes are found in Nepal, while about 40 species of snakes have been recorded in Kaski and about 22 species in Hemja.

'Rajagoman mainly eats snakes, so it plays a big role in controlling the number of other snakes. This shy species of snake makes a nest in Hemja's streams, rivers, forests, and also raises its children. Rajagoman is the king of snakes. To protect it is to protect biological diversity.'