Stork population reduced due to wetland destruction

The number of storks found in the wetland area is decreasing in Kanchanpur as compared to the past. This bird species is declining as the wetland area is reduced. Habitat destruction is one of the main reasons why the storks of indigenous species, which prefer to live in one place, are declining year by year.

"The storks have started declining after the locals started cultivating weeds," said Hirulal Dagora, an ornithologist at the Nepal Bird Conservation Association. This bird has become a problem due to poaching and indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture.”

He said that with the shortage of fish, frogs, snakes and other insects in its diet, the stork population has halved compared to the past. According to the recently completed waterfowl census, two storks have appeared in Chavanni of Beldandi village municipality and eight storks in another wetland area of ​​the same village. According to locals, at first 15 to 20 storks were seen in one place.

Stakeholders say that awareness program is needed to create awareness about the need to protect the wetland area and not to kill it. The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1971 lists the stork as a protected bird. CITIS is listed in Schedule 2 and IUCN in the Red Book. It has white head, red neck and gray body. The stork is up to six feet tall and weighs five kilograms. Its scientific name is 'Gross Antigone'. It is considered to be the tallest bird capable of flight.

This species of birds live in a pair. According to ornithologist Dagora, it lays only two eggs during the breeding season. The chicks live with their mother for five to six months. After that, they stay in the herd with other storks for life. The bird is found in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Banke, Dang, Chitwan and Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur, Kalikich Lake and Beldandi in the central part of the park.

The number of storks in Kanchanpur is estimated to be 10 to 15. According to ornithologists, there are an estimated 700 to 800 in Nepal. Along with Nepal, storks are found in Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan and Vietnam.

There are 15 species of storks in the world and four species in Nepal. Among them are storks named Karyangkurung, Laxman, Kalikantha and Saras. After two decades, Laxman stork has appeared in Kailali this year. Which is also called the lost duck. Laxman storks migrate from Mongolia and China during the winter. Black-throated storks appear only occasionally. According to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1971, those who kill rare birds including storks are liable to a fine of 15 to 30 thousand rupees or imprisonment for three to nine months or both.