Chitwan’s Batulipokhari to become breeding centre for ghungifor garuda

लगानी न्यूज

५ भाद्र २०८२, बिहीबार १०:३१August 21, 2025

Chitwan. Batulipokhari of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-13 has been developed as a breeding centre for aquatic ghungifor garuda (Asian OpenVille). Hundreds of chicks have been hatched here.

According TAG_OPEN_div_22 to Krishna Hari Prasain, chairman of the group, ghungifor has built 478 nests on 104 trees around the pond, which is under the management of Batulipokhari Intermediate Community Forest Users Group. There are up to 10 nests on a single tree.

‘Ghungiphore nests on dry trees and eats ghungi and small aquatic animals. “Out of the 104 trees we observed, only three had nests on green trees, while the rest were on dry trees. During the breeding season, bird watchers and conservationists come with enthusiasm to see the movement of the oxens. “During the breeding period, tourism activities such as boats have been stopped in the pond area so that the nests are not affected,” he added. ’

This area was formerly known as the ‘Big Ghoul’, where water mixed with the Rapti River. But in 2065 BS, the dam was constructed in collaboration with Ganganagar Irrigation Project and Community Forest Users Group. Today, the region is important not only for irrigation but also for biodiversity.

According to Prasain, chairman of the

, siberian birds used to be seen here in winter, but in recent years, indigenous birds that live permanently have started appearing. He said, “Ghungifor has been coming here for the last seven years. ’

Ghungifor starts nesting from April-April, flowers in June and hatches chicks in August. Prasain said that other birds do not know their presence easily due to the habit of nesting collectively in large flocks.

TAG_OPEN_div_12 Earlier, ghungifor used to build nests in Bishazari lake, but after the trees there were damaged, they started living in Batulipokhari as a new habitat, he said, adding, “Such trees should be protected as ghungifor nests only on dry trees.” ’