A team comprising ornithologists and bird watchers has started bird count in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. 

The census, initiated by Himalayan Nature, a conservation research institute, will enumerate the bird population from Chatara to Koshi Barrage and at Bhagalpur, Kamalpur, Barjutal, Urlabari, Betana and Tarahara areas. 

Ornithologist Badri Chaudhary said that they have noticed fewer birds in the reserve this year. 

“We have recorded fewer numbers of northern pintail and other duck species compared to our previous count. Our initial count shows that there are fewer birds in a colony,” he said.

It is suspected that widespread use of pesticides by farmers and habitat enroachment could have led to the population decline of various bird species native to the region. 

Chaudhary said even migratory birds that travel to the reserve from different parts of the world, including China, Mongolia and Siberia, between mid-September and mid-October could stop coming to the reserve if their habitat is not conserved.

“If there is no wetland to sustain the migratory birds, then they will start moving to other areas. So it is crucial that we conserve the bird habitat inside the reserve,” he said.  The reserve is a home to 502 of the 876 bird species found in the country. 

The census team is expected to complete the bird count in five days.