A month ago, during a bird count from Lothar to Ghatgai on the Rapti River in Chitwan, 2,740 Chakhewachakhabi were found. Last year, 4,107 Chakhewachakhabi were counted in the same area.

The number of Silsile geese, which was counted in the Jagdishpur Bird Sanctuary last year at nearly 2,000, has been counted at 200 this year. That too was counted in the adjacent fields, not in the lake.

The nationally endangered Hari geese, which was counted 72 last year, were not seen this year. Similarly, the number of Surjure geese in Jagdishpur has also been counted at nearly 1,000 less than last year.
According to the latest data, the number of waterfowl has decreased from Ghodaghodi in western Kailali to Barju Lake in eastern Sunsari. Laxman Paudyal, the national waterfowl census coordinator for Nepal at Wetlands International, said that the number of waterfowl has decreased in the census conducted across the country under the coordination of the Nepal Ornithologists' Association.

Waterfowl are decreasing due to increasing human encroachment, pollution of rivers, streams and lakes, and shrinkage of the border area. Similarly, birds are facing problems due to uncontrolled excavation of river channels, weeds of the species of michaha around bird habitats, and increasing use of pesticides in agriculture.

A census conducted in 78 places under 18 major border areas across the country has found a decrease in the number of water birds in major places. The data from the National Bird Census conducted from December 19 to January 4 shows that water birds are declining.

Jagdishpur Lake, which has been sheltering the largest number of water birds in Nepal, has seen a 55 percent decrease in the number of birds in 8 years. Ornithologist Hathan Chaudhary said that while 23,000 birds were counted in 2018, it decreased to 10,282 birds in 2026. ‘The species counted have also decreased. There is a big fluctuation in the number.’ In 2025, 12,832 birds of 48 species were counted in the lake, while in 2026, 10,282 birds of 41 species were counted,' he said.

He said that the birds felt unsafe due to steamer operations, increasing human activities and uncontrolled poaching of fish in the 157-hectare lake. The noise pollution caused by boat operations, picnics, dancing and singing in the lake and the transportation of river-borne substances have increased environmental pollution, causing the birds' habitat to be disturbed and their numbers have decreased, said senior ornithologist Dr. Hemsagar Baral. 'Three or four years ago, two to three thousand birds could be seen in a single flock,' he said, 'For the past two years, flocks of more than 5 to 6 hundred have not been seen.'
The bushes around the lake where birds hide are decreasing. He said that they are facing difficulties due to the problem of safe food.

Similarly, both the species and number have decreased in Ghodaghodi Lake in Kailali. Last year, 1,250 birds of 26 species were counted, while this year 1,000 birds of 24 species have been counted. Ghodaghodi Lake is the first bird reserve in the country. Ornithologist Ram Shahi said that the number of water birds has also decreased in Banke and Bardiya.

The number of birds has also decreased in Chitwan, an important destination for birds. In the census divided into eastern, western and central sectors, 27,000 birds of 61 species were counted last year, while this year 25,000 birds of 63 species have been counted. Of these, there has been an increase in the West Chitwan (Nawalpur) sector. Coordinator DB Chaudhary said that in 2025, 9,548 birds of 41 species were counted there, while in 2026, 12,887 birds of 42 species were counted. He said that the largest number of birds were 8,523 Chakhewa-Chekhewi and 946 Khoya-Ans. Similarly, the number of birds has also decreased in Koshi and Barjutal, another important habitat of birds. Here, 10,000 birds of 67 species were counted here in 2025, but 6,000 birds of 56 species have been counted this year. In Barju Lake in Sunsari, 6,000 birds of 34 species were counted last year, but 4,000 birds of 33 species have been counted this year.

Similarly, the number of birds has increased in the census conducted in 11 places in the Pokhara Valley. However, the number of species counted has decreased. In 2025, 34,000 birds of 55 species were counted, while this year 37,000 birds of 46 species have been counted. 

The number of waterfowl across the country is less than 100,000 . Last year, 94 species of birds were counted across the country, but this year 5/7 species have been counted less.  This year, tourists who were happy to see waterfowl in Jagdishpur Lake could not enjoy it this year. Wildlife photographer Sudeep KC said that tourists were also disappointed as they could not see the birds' feeding habits, water activities and the excitement of their play. 

Haribhadra Acharya, a senior ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, said that bird counts will be conducted across the country to find out the number by counting and monitoring during the non-breeding period of migratory birds.  He said that the number of waterfowl, their habitat conditions and bird activities will be counted every year to make a conservation policy plan.

903 species of birds have been found in Nepal this year. Of these, 664 species of birds are found in Chitwan alone, but the low number of birds is a matter of concern, said ornithologist Tikaram Giri. This year, very few species of ducks and geese have been seen in Chitwan. He said that the decline in their numbers in Chitwan, which is known for its birds, is not good. ‘Wherever you look, you see plastic bottles and garbage,’ he said, ‘It is not good to see so few birds in a place where there are many birds. This deteriorating situation affects the country’s bird tourism.’

According to ornithologists, about 8 percent of the world’s birds are found in Nepal. Foreign tourists come to Nepal to see those birds. This has helped promote tourism here. Bimal Thapa, president of the Bird Conservation Association, said that this is important as the arrival of water birds gives information about the environment of the country's lakes and wetlands. 'The arrival of birds should not be taken for granted,' he said, 'it is an indicator of the cleanliness of the biodiversity here.'

Ornithologist Dr. Baral said that since the arrival of water birds is decreasing, we should be aware of it in time. He said that the number of winter visitors dependent on the border areas has been decreasing in recent years due to overcrowding and shrinkage of the border areas.

Baral says that birds are also at risk due to obstacles in flight paths and the increasing use of chemical fertilizers. Migratory birds are tired of traveling long distances and have to find new places to shelter, so the risk of natural and human predation has also increased.

Waterfowl dependent on wetlands have been counted annually since 1987. The latest count shows that the condition of waterfowl is in danger. Among the rarest birds in the world found in Nepal, 13 species are waterfowl.

Birds begin to migrate as soon as snowfall begins in the North Pole. Thousands of birds come to the edges of the mountains and the Terai, to escape the winter. Some return after giving birth and raising their young.