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Lake birds at survival risk
KASKI, AUG 11 -
Water birds in various lakes in Kaski district are on the verge of extinction due to rampant poaching and habitat encroachment.
Endangered bird species such as comb duck, baer’s pochard, ferruginous duck and some other species in the eight lakes situated in Pokhara Sub-metropolis and Lekhnath Municipality are facing the extinction threat due to the lack of conservation efforts, says ornithologist Gandhiv Kafle.
According to him, of the 193 species of water birds in Nepal, 48 are in the district. Danger looms over the birds’ existence since the water bodies are drying up causing a great habitat loss.
Besides habitat encroachment, climate change and poaching are also held responsible for the rapid decline in their number.
“Water birds will be extinct if the local people are not made aware to protect their habitat,” Kafle added. Experts say that the destruction of wetlands does not augur well for the future of the bird paradise.
Posted on: 2010-08-12 07:45
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