Population status and species diversity of wetland birds in the Rapti and Narayani rivers and associated wetlands of Chitwan National Park, Nepal

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Bed Bahadur Khadka
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6382-8425
Paras Mani Acharya
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4077-9568
Sunil Lal Rajbhandari
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5728-3599

Abstract

 In autumn and winter, 24 migratory waterfowl species from the north utilise the wetlands of Chitwan National Park, which provide vital staging, roosting, resting, foraging and breeding places. The birds stay for about eight months before returning north in March and April. These birds are indicators of healthy wetlands, and they distribute nutrients through their droppings that increase primary production of aquatic vegetation and fish. A population census of wetland birds was conducted during January 2014 in Chitwan National Park on the Rapti and Narayani rivers and associated wetlands, including Lami Tal, Tamor Tal, Garud Tal, Devi Tal and marshes and lakes around Temple Tiger. The study found that the Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea was the migratory waterfowl with the largest population in these rivers.

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Author Biographies

Bed Bahadur Khadka, Chitwan National Park, Headquarters, Kasara, Chitwan, Nepal

Bed Bahadur Khadka is Assistant Conservation Officer, head of Gharial Conservation and Breeding Center, Chitwan National Park. He has wide experiences in wetland, waterbirds, mugger/ gharial conservation in river systems of Nepal. 

Paras Mani Acharya, Tribhuvan University,P.O. Box. 8212, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Paras Mani Acharya is Professor of Zoology in Tribhuvan University, Nepal and involved in wetlands/ Smooth-coated otter and other aquatic life conservation in the river systems of Chitwan and Bardia National Park. 

Sunil Lal Rajbhandari, Tribhuvan University,P.O. Box. 8212, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

 Sunil LalRajbhandari is Professor of Zoology in Tribhuvan University, Nepal and involved in gharial and aquatic life conservation in the river systems of Chitwan National Park.

 

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