The fields of Divyanagar have been providing not only food to the locals, but also fodder to important migratory birds that come from across the mountains.

As winter sets in, the common crane (local name: Karyangkurung) arrives from the highlands of Mongolia, Siberia, and China in the agricultural lands of Divyanagar, near the banks of the Narayani River in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-26, west of Chitwan.

These birds arrive in Divyanagar to eat the grains that have fallen in the fields and the sprouts that have grown from the rice fields after the rice harvest. According to Hathan Chaudhary, president of the Nepal Ornithologists' Association, these birds come to Nepal after flying from the freezing areas and crossing the mountains, covering thousands of kilometers.

The Laxman crane ranks second among the birds that fly at high altitudes. Although the bird that flies at the highest altitude (13,000 meters) is the Rupal's Vulture, it is not found in Nepal. Ornithologists say that the Laxman crane flies at an altitude of about 11,000 meters and the third-ranked bar-headed goose (Khoyahans) flies at an altitude of about 9,000 meters.

This year, 43 Laxman Storks have been found in the paddy fields (farmlands) of Divyanagar. A census of birds that depend on water flowing into Nepal in winter is currently being conducted across the country. Different teams are counting birds in the lakes, ponds, gholes and fields along the Narayani and Rapti rivers flowing through Chitwan National Park and its borders.

The initial results of the census conducted in the central region of Chitwan have been made public. According to Manesh Limbu, the team coordinator and conservationist of the central region, 43 Laxman Storks were found in Divyanagar this time. This is the highest number in the last three years. Last year, 32 and the year before that, only 17 Common Cranes were found.

But ornithologists say that this number used to be even higher in the past. According to Hathan Chaudhary, 242 Common Cranes were seen in the Divyanagar area in 2020 and 187 in 2023. Compared to that, this year's number is much lower. 'Earlier, only rice was planted in the Ghol area of ​​Divyanagar, and after the crops were brought in, the land became empty. That's why there were huge numbers of common cranes here,' says Limbu. 'Recently, mustard, fenugreek and maize were planted, houses and industries also increased. The number of birds decreased due to lack of food.'

Although Laxman storks have been seen in western regions including Kailali in Nepal recently, Chaudhary says that they do not migrate for long periods like in Chitwan. He is concerned that the use of pesticides in farming has also affected other birds. 'It is not possible to say that farming should not be done,' says Chaudhary, 'but if some land could be managed for conservation, both food and shelter would be available for common cranes.' He suggests that government and conservation agencies should take joint initiatives for this.

He gave an example of Laxman storks being seen in abundance in agricultural lands near wetlands in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in India, and that local, government and conservation organizations have collaborated there. 'The presence of birds also shows the potential for a good environment and tourism,' he said. 

How many water birds were found in Central Chitwan?
According to coordinator Manesh Limbu, a total of 2,531 birds of 99 species were found in Dibyanagar Farm Land this time. Of which, 1,539 birds of 30 species were dependent on water. Other species lived on land and also took their food from the land.

Similarly, 4,281 birds of 70 species were found from Patihani Stone Park on the Rapti River to West Golaghat. Of these, 4,281 birds of 45 species were dependent on water.  There were 2,375 water birds of 34 species in Dibyanagar last year.  Compared to the previous year, both the species and number of water-dependent birds in Dibyanagar this time have decreased.