Nepal: No more second home to many migratory birds

Nepal is often known for the huge diversity it possesses. Within a distance of 180km, the altitude ranges from 60m to 8848.46m above see level, Himalayan Monal; a beautiful pheasant native to Himalayas, found in Nepal forests and shrublands at elevations between 2,100-4,500 meters, another attractive settlements to these migrants is Satyr Tragopan, a majestic bird inhabiting moist oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth and bamboo clumps at altitudes ranging from 2,400-4,200m. 

 This along with diverse climatic patterns, the landscape experiences, make the country home to diverse specie of flora and fauna. In addition to the wide range of native species, the country is a seasonal settlement for different migratory birds. However, a drastic decline in the number of visitors has been experienced for the past two years and climate change is the main driver of same. Bird migration is a natural pattern usually practiced by different species of birds for their survival. It has been practiced by those species since time immemorial.

It is said that approximately 20 percent of the total species of birds are migratory. Food scarcity, breeding, shorter day- light hours, change in temperature are some of the drivers of such migration. Nepal is a seasonal home to both winter and summer migratory birds. Usually, the low land- Terai witness arrivals of migratory birds in winter and Hill in the summer. Different wetlands of Terai, Hills and even Kathmandu valley are seasonal home to those migratory birds.

However, due to encroachment of their temporary habitats, disturbances in the patterns, unorganized and unplanned industrialization and urbanization have seriously disturbed the pattern. They are slowly losing their second homes due to anthropogenic changes.

Taudaha : Case for the only natural pond of KathmanduTaudaha.

The only natural pond in Kathmandu valley, is a wetland which is a very famous destination for winter migratory birds. Data show that birds from Tibet, China, Korea, Mongolia, Siberia and other countries of central Asia visit the lake. Great Cormorant, Bar headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Black Headed Gull, Ferruginuous Duck are some of the species which usually make the lake their second home.

As per the reports of the annual censuses carried out by Bird Conservation Nepal, there is a clear decline in the number of the species visiting the wetland. The number of species of migratory birds visiting the wetland plunged from 28 of 2014 to 17 in 2021. This is a clear indication of the consequences we are encountering due to climate change and the worse consequences are yet to come.  

How Climate Change is affecting the Pattern in Taudaha

There is no area which is and will not be affected by climate change. The rise in temperature and the unusual precipitation simply do not leave the place as it usually used to be. For instance: Taudaha - the wetland, is not the same place anymore. The place could not offer the same temperature, same ambience, and the same environment to the birds anymore. There are less faunas which used to help the wetland balance its ecosystem. There is more human encroachment. To add to the misery, with the increase in the number of human visitors in the area, there is an increase in solid waste and other pollutants. 

In addition to the above listed direct impacts of climate change, there are other impacts which also have secondary impacts on the wetland. For instance: climate change has affected the agricultural production in the region which triggered people's migration to Kathmandu, climate change impacts on the economy has made stakeholder’s prioritize other issues. Climate Change has many multiplier impacts and those impacts are also affecting the ecosystem of the wetlands like Taudaha.  

Why Wetlands like Taudaha should be conserved

There are enormous benefits wetland offers to the environment and living things. Not only limited to the regulatory functions of the environment, wetlands like Taudaha give economic opportunities to humans as they usually have touristic values. The role played by wetlands in the cities become more important as they have to balance the disturbances cities do to the environment. 

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is the most populated region as well. Having mentioned this, the city needs areas which can work as a carbon sink and provide balance to the city which otherwise has high carbon emission. Taudaha is the same for Kathmandu. It has been trying to give balance to the city which otherwise has already exceeded its limit on deteriorating the environment. 

Final words

If we can not conserve wetlands like Taudaha for the birds, then also we have to conserve such treasures of nature for humans; otherwise the day is not far when we have to find another planet to migrate to.  

Picture of Common Teal (Photo by : Mr. Rajendra Gurung, BCN)