There are two ponds in the Mauwabari and Dharampani areas of Gaide Community Forest in ward 11 of Shitganga Municipality in Arghakhanchi district. Water is supplied into the artificial ponds from distant sources through pipelines. The water is not intended for irrigation but specifically meant for the wildlife and birds living in the forest. The water can also be used to help contain forest fires when required.

With an investment of Rs50,000 from the Division Forest Office and Rs50,000 from the community forest user’s group, a pond with a capacity of 12,000 liters has been constructed in Mauwabari. Water is regularly channelled into the pond.

In Dharampani, a five feet deep pond was constructed with a joint investment of Rs58,000 from the forest user’s group and labour contributions from the local community. Steps have been built in the pond to make it easier for birds and wildlife to drink.

"The main purpose of constructing the ponds is to ensure that in the event of a forest fire, there is sufficient water available to extinguish it," said Sita Belbase, the secretary of the Gaide Community Forest User’s Group. “The forest is home to leopards, bears, monkeys, and wild boars as well as various birds such as peacocks, parrots, kalij pheasants, and vultures. We built these ponds so that they don’t have to travel long distances for water,” she explained.

To prevent wildfires from spreading, the local community has also created fire lines within the forest. "Fires can break out at times, and the water in these ponds will be used to control the flames before they spread," Belbase added. "Forest fires destroy wildlife, medicinal plants, insects, and birds. That’s why we have implemented several measures to protect the forest," she said. "All the users of the community forest work together for its conservation. We collect dried foliage and burn them in a controlled manner to help maintain the ecosystem."

The community forest has 823 user households, and it is home to various species of trees, including Sal, Asna, Tikuli, Karma, Sisau and Khayar. The community is also working together to protect the wildlife in the forest, which borders Kapilvastu district.

"We plan to build more ponds in other areas of the forest as well," said Juddha Bahadur Sunar, chairman of the forest user’s group. "Protecting wildlife and birds is our duty. We built these ponds so that animals and birds do not have to wander far for water and risk dying of thirst." According to him, the ponds provide a more accessible water source for wildlife compared to streams and rivulets, which tend to run dry in the dry season.

"Whenever we visit the forest for monitoring, we feel a sense of joy listening to the sounds of birds and wildlife. We often see peacocks, Kalij, and vultures in the forest. There are also various kinds of birds perched in the trees,” said Sunar. He also claimed there have been no human-wildlife conflicts in this community forest.

Hunting or harming wild animals or birds is strictly prohibited in the forests. To curb illegal activities, two forest guards—Gopal Khatri and Motiram Khatri—have been appointed with a monthly salary of Rs9,000 each. They are responsible for monitoring illegal activities like timber smuggling and poaching of birds and wildlife. Their salaries are covered by the group's income. "We don’t allow anyone to kill any wildlife, including jungle fowls, pheasants, monkeys, snakes, and even insects," said Sunar.

It is difficult to determine the exact number of wild animals and birds in the forest, but Sunar said that the community is working together for their protection. "Whenever we visit the forest, we sometimes see birds and wild animals drinking from the ponds. These ponds have ensured that wildlife and birds have a reliable access to water,” Sunar added.

The ponds have allowed birds to thrive and build nests in the area. "Previously, we didn’t see many birds, but now, with the ponds filled, their cheerful chirping fills the forest, and they can be seen gathering around the water," said Sunar.