Mid Winter Water-bird Count 2012

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal (CSUWN) and Himalayan Nature teamed together to organize a Press meet to share the findings of the Midwinter Water-bird Count 2012 on 23^rd March at Forestry Complex, Babarmahal. During the meet, the objective of the event was highlighted by Top B. Khatri, NPM, CSUWN. Findings of the Mid-winter Water Bird Count were presented by Dr. Hem Sagar Baral, National Coordinator of the count.The result showed a total of 81 species with a total population of 37154. The highest population of water birds were sighted in Chitwan (10721) followed by Jagadishpur (9150), Koshi Tappu (6395) and other sites like Lumbini, Pokhara, Ghodaghodi, Karnali etc. As per the individual bird species, Ruddy Shelduck duck (7552) was the highest among others including Coot (5857), Lesser Whistling  Teal (5274), Common Teal (2354), Greater Cormorant (1692) and others like Pratincole, Gadwall, Cattle Egret and Moorhen. 

The result when compared with last year site wise, this year in sites like Chitwan, Jagadishpur showed a remarkable increase while individual bird like Ruddy Shelduck, Coot, Lesser Whistling Duck also showed an increase. Similarly, decline in sites like Pokhara, Sukla Phanta & Koshi were observed while stable population was observed in Ghodaghodi, Badhaiya and Karnali. There was also a decrease in species like Little Pratincole, Gadwall and Comb Duck in this year count.

This count took place from 8 to 23 January 2012 covering five Protected Areas, Five Ramsar Sites spreading across fifty five sites of Nepal and is one of the largest participatory annual monitoring involving more than 200 volunteers. The count was supported by various organizations including the DNPWC, DoF, NTNC, CSUWN, BES, Tiger Mountain Group of Companies, BCN, Himalayan Nature and several community based grass root organizations. The news was captured by different media organizations.