Water bird count to start from Jan 15
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KATHMANDU, DEC 26 - The longest-running monitoring programme of water birds is scheduled to begin from Jan.15-30 2011.
The 25th Midwinter Water Bird Count will cover around 30 wetlands that are identified as habitat for both residential and migratory water birds, said Hem Sagar Baral, a senior ornithologist.
Nepal has been participating in the midwinter water bird count since January 1987 on behalf of Wetlands International. Asian countries like Pakistan, Malaysia, India, Japan and Korea have also been taking part in this annual programme.
Last year's count recorded the population of water birds from 83 species at 28,714 while the number of 79 species was 30,144 in 2009.
"Degrading state of important wetlands, the beset habitat for wildlife especially birds, is a major cause behind the declining number of water-dependent birds," said Baral, who is also the national coordinator of the programme.
Important wetlands such as Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Sunsari, Jagadishpur Tal in Kapilvastu and Gaida Tal in Rupandehi are facing serious habitat disturbance in lack of proper plans and programmes.
Altogether 867 bird species, over 10 percent of the world's total bird population, are recorded in the country as of now. Nepal is a prime habitat for more than 200 wetland-dependent bird species.
Posted on: 2010-12-26 09:07
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