Nepalgunj. Kanti Lake was once a source of irrigation for the locals. Situated in the middle of the city of Nepalgunj, this beautiful man-made lake has now become a habitat and breeding place for local birds and a destination for foreign birds. The Kanti Lake, which is full of flowers including lotus, has been a long-standing shelter for various birds.

Experts say that Kanti Lake, which is important from the point of view of biodiversity, is also famous for bird studies. Experts say that this lake can be developed as a ‘bird park’ and ‘birch watching’. However, after an attempt to run a motorboat in the same lake some time ago, there was opposition from locals, rights activists and others. After the protest, the plan to run the boat was stuck. Now a wooden boat is stranded on one side of the lake. There are no people who come to climb the boat, nor are there any people who drive.

Experts say that the role of Kanti Lake is important in protecting the environment by balancing biodiversity and ecosystem. This area is especially important for storks. The habitat of stork is Kanti Lake and Mankhol on the banks of rapti river in Banke. Among them, Kanti Lake is the best habitat, according to experts.

Spread over 25 bighas of land in ward no. 22 and 23 of Nepalgunj sub-metropolis, Kanti Lake is an important habitat not only for traditional birds but also for foreign birds coming from different countries every year. Rare birds live in the lake throughout the year and birds from different countries come every year to escape the winter and summer.

According to Ashish Chaudhary, president of Friends for Wildlife Conservation, there is no wetland like this in the vicinity of Nepalgunj. “There is a suitable environment not only for nature lovers but also for animals and birds,” he said, adding that birds from different countries have been coming here every year as they have been able to protect it for a long time.

After the process of operating a motorboat to increase tourism activities in the Kanti Lake area, which is home to rare birds, was started, conservationists had expressed concern and applied to stop the work in the sub-metropolis. He said that interest has been increased now after they suggested that instead of operating a motorboat in the lake, they could earn income by constructing a bird park.

They have suggested that motorboats should not be operated even if it is for their protection as the environment will be damaged and birds will disappear from here if the motorboat is operated. “There has been a long effort to operate a motorboat in the lake, but there were no people to climb the plant, after that no effort has been made,” Chaudhary said. Chaudhary said that although there is no problem in operating wooden boats in the lake, using a motorboat will affect the ecosystem there.

“There is no motorboat in Pokhara’s Phewa Lake, wooden boats have been operated, and there is no need to operate a motorboat in a small lake in Nepalgunj,” he added.

According to Chaudhary, many species of birds are in crisis due to encroachment of wetlands and other areas in the recent past. “Out of the nine species listed by the Government of Nepal, six are found in the Terai, out of which two species are found in Bardiya and five in Banke. ’

A total of 32 types of traditional birds and some visiting birds were found in kanti lake during an hour-and-a-half observation conducted by the Bird Conservation Society and Nepal Ornithologists Association some time ago. Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Prashant Bist said the lake has been taken as a wetland. “Many people call it a wetland, but it is an important habitat for local and foreign birds, even though it does not look like a wetland,” he said.

According to Chief Bista, fish farming has been taking place in Kanti Lake for a long time. Stating that he had seen fish farming since childhood, he said, “Fish farming has been taking place in Kanti Lake for a long time and the previous government has worked to make it a tourist destination, although this process has not moved forward yet.” ’

There are 153 species of birds in winter and 62 species in summer. Birds from Africa, including Jure Koili, Indonesia, Northern China, Thailand, Siberia and Malaysia, also come to the lake. He said that three species of stork can also be found in this lake in the protected list of the government.

It is the responsibility of the local level to preserve the biodiversity of the lake and preserve the birds for future generations, he said. Conservationist Chaudhary said he was worried about the need to preserve the biodiversity of natural wetlands. He said that the lake has been developed as a biodiversity park, botanical garden or bird park as an alternative to motorboats and there is a way to earn income through tickets.

“Conservation of the lake is necessary not only for birds, but also for us and future generations,” he said, adding, “Nepalgunj is also a transit point for Indian passengers going to Mansarovar. ’

Every year the bird census is done in Kanti Lake. Two years ago, there were 25 species of birds, while in last year’s census, 22 species of birds were found. This year, the number of birds has reached 32. This year, an additional 32 species of birds were found in the Agaia area and various lakes and rivers from Kusum of rapti river.

The lake is home to birds such as storks, fishing cats and malahs. In summer, birds come from Europe, Middle East Asia and Indonesia, while birds come from Siberia and northern China in pairs. The visiting birds also give birth to babies in the lake.

Locals say that work should be done on the concept of sustainable development for the conservation of the lake. Experts say that the lake can be developed as a center for bird watching and biodiversity learning center.