Tourism Impacted as Habitat Loss Causes Sharp Decline in Birds at Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve

Belbari-  The Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve (KWR) and its surrounding areas are experiencing a significant decline in bird populations due to habitat loss caused by increasing pollution and haphazard pesticide use in crops.

Human activities have resulted in the loss of vital habitats for birds. According to the Mid-Winter Water Birds Census conducted in 2024, the recorded number of birds at the reserve stands at 5,527, representing 53 different species.

This figure marks a decline from last year's count of 7,573 birds belonging to 56 species. Despite the arrival of new bird species in Nepal each year, both the overall number and diversity of species have decreased this year, stated Birendra Gautam, Chief of the Koshi Conservation Office at the National Nature Conservation Trust.

The results of the five-day bird census, conducted from January 10, were announced on World Wetland Day. Among the recorded birds, the majority are of the duck species, with 848 individuals.

However, these water-dependent birds are facing a shortage of wetlands, which has deprived them of their natural habitats, added Gautam. Gautam further emphasized that the severe decline in bird populations is directly linked to the expansion of human settlements and unwarranted activities.

Marshlands, which used to serve as welcoming grounds for birds even from as far as Siberia, Russia, have now been converted into motorable roads, posing a grave threat to the avian population. Interestingly, during the COVID-19 pandemic when human activities were restricted, the bird census witnessed a significant increase in bird presence.

In 2019, there were a staggering 9,289 birds recorded. Nepal typically experiences the arrival of migratory birds from mid-September to mid-December each year. The KWR, located at the tri-junction of Sunsari, Saptari, and Udayapur districts, serves as a hub for various bird species.

Approximately 50 species of migratory birds pass through Nepal on their way to India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The avian migration also extends to other areas within Nepal, including popular tourist destinations such as Chitwan National Park, Bishajari Lake, Jagdishpur Lake, Ghodaghodi Lake, and the tributaries of the Koshi and Gandaki Rivers.

Thousands of winter birds arrive in Nepal from southern countries, including Africa, for hatching purposes. However, due to habitat loss, these birds are finding it increasingly challenging to locate suitable habitats within forests and nearby grasslands.

The decline in bird populations and the loss of their habitats have had a significant impact on tourism in the region. Birdwatching enthusiasts and nature lovers, who were once drawn to Koshitappu for its diverse avian species, are now witnessing a decline in bird sightings.

This has led to a decrease in tourist interest and the potential loss of revenue for local communities dependent on tourism. Efforts must be made to address the issue of habitat loss and preserve the remaining habitats within the Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve.

Conservation initiatives, strict regulations on human activities, and the promotion of sustainable tourism practices are essential to ensure the long-term survival of bird populations and to attract tourists who seek to experience the richness of Nepal's avian biodiversity.

Source: RSS