This Country’s First Bird Reserve Takes Flight
Have you ever woken up to the beautiful singing of birds outside your bedroom window? Birds have a way of brightening people’s days and making them happier.
But birds do much more than just chirp happy songs, they also alert the world to important ecological changes. Many of these changes have a negative impact on habitats and many birds are considered endangered, according to the nonprofit American Bird Conservation. Only 18 percent of the world’s most threatened species are adequately protected. Now, Nepal is making a great effort to ensure a bright future for its birds
If Birds Were to Become Extinct
So what would the world look like if there were no more birds? According to One Green Planet if all the birds became extinct or if the populations were drastically reduced, the world as it is known would significantly change.
Birds play a large role in dispersing seeds and in pollinating crops. Natural pest control wouldn’t exist and many plants and trees could be destroyed, which would have a massive impact on the world’s food supply. Aside from the joy of watching or listening to these feathered friends, they have vital importance to the world, so safeguarding birds should be a priority for all.
Nepal’s Conservation Efforts
The local government of Nepal’s Sudurpashchim province understands this need and that’s why the Ghodaghodi complex, a wetland in western Nepal, was just declared a bird sanctuary, according to Mongabay. There are more than 360 bird species – some of them migratory – who call the 2,563-hectare (6,000-acre) reserve home.
Some of these species, including the great hornbill, Indian spotted eagle and the lesser adjutant stork are declining in population and need to be protected.
“Mere declaration of the area as a bird sanctuary is not enough,” Trilochan Bhatta, Sudurpashchim’s chief minister, told Mongabay. “It’s everyone’s duty to conserve the natural, religious and historical importance of this site.”
Launching the first bird sanctuary in the country shows that local governments are stepping up and committing themselves to conservation and preserving species.
“This comes at a time when there are growing concerns that as conservation and protected areas fall under the ambit of the federal government, local governments would not take ownership of conservation efforts,” said ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral.
While the bird sanctuary’s management plan is still being worked out, there is hope that there will be a positive impact on the economy of the area with an increase in eco-tourism. After all, who can resist the chance to enjoy the sounds of bird songs in their natural habitats.
