The habitat of waterfowl dependent on water in Banke has been found to be at risk. This situation was revealed during a two-day waterfowl census.

After the census of waterfowl in various lakes, reservoirs and rivers, the habitat of waterfowl is at risk due to indiscriminate use of pesticides, development of physical infrastructure, etc., informed Bhupal Nepali, Project Officer of the Nepal Bird Conservation Association.

He said that the census of waterfowl was conducted in the Rapti River coastal areas of Banke, including Kusum, Agaiya, Sidhaniyaghat, Taltalaiya and reservoir areas, and that the number of waterfowl was found to be less than in the past in Kantital in Nepalgunj. 'We had seen 55 species of waterfowl in the previous year, but now we have seen that situation decrease,' he said.

Informing that there are about 50 species of waterfowl in the district, Nepalese mentioned that the most found are the grebe and the stilt.

Waterfowl census has been conducted in Nepal every year since the first week of January. This year, the waterfowl census has been started in various parts of Nepal from Poush 19 and will be conducted in other districts by Magh 4, he said. 

During the winter, when there is snow in the North Pole, birds there face problems with feeding, so every year, migratory birds migrate here in search of food.

'When there is snow in the North Pole, birds migrate to Nepal due to lack of feeding. There are eight bird flight routes in the world, Nepal is on the South Asia route. Birds from various countries come to Nepal via this route. Mostly duck species come more. We collect data on their condition,' he said.

Apart from this, local species of chiba birds have also been seen, saying that the analysis of the less seen species is pending.

Another officer of the project, Amrit Nepali, stressed the need to protect the habitats of waterfowl as they are at risk.

He stressed the protection of wetland areas, saying that about 40 species of waterfowl have been seen in Kantital. There were 55 species of waterfowl in Kantital last year. The waterfowl census collects information about the condition of waterfowl, the condition of species, and the condition of lakes and wetlands. 

Waterfowl are being counted in more than 80 wetlands and aquatic areas in Nepal. It is believed that the government will be informed about the condition of birds by updating them and will help the government in formulating policies and action plans. 

The project has stated that it will not only count birds but also create awareness about it at the community level, encourage bird conservation, and increase public awareness about bird conservation at the national and international levels.