387 vultures found in Pokhara and its surrounding areas

KATHMANDU, Sep 22:The Pokhara Bird Society recently conducted a vulture census, and 387 vultures were discovered in Pokhara and surrounding areas. For the past ten years, the society has counted the number of vultures found in Pokhara and nearby places.

The society's president, Manshant Ghimire, reported that 387 vultures had been discovered. This year, the society counted vultures in Pokhara, Ghachowk, Pumdibhumdi, old and new landfill sites, Dobhilla as well as Shishuwabhateri of Byas municipality-10 of Tanahun, Cow Protection Center in Shuklagandaki Municipality, and landfill sites in Damauli, according to him.

Ghimire stated that vultures are currently suffering a catastrophe owing to habitat loss. The garbage disposal site in Pokhara Metropolitan City-15 Chhinedanda has been relocated to the Pokhara-32 Lameahal region with the opening of Pokhara International Airport. Although the vulture's habitat is primarily tall simil trees, researchers in this area that with the expansion of towns in Pokhara's surrounding areas, their habitat is under jeopardy owing to the chopping of simil trees.

Ghimire stated that a big number of vultures were once present in various Pokhara locations such as Chauthe, Majheripatan, Biruwa, and Gairikhet around 15-16 years ago, but the vultures have since vanished from these locations. According to him, the vultures are in trouble due to the cutting of Simal trees and the expansion of city, as well as the dust and smoke emitted by automobiles and industries.

Various studies undertaken in Nepal show that the number of vultures has dropped during the previous two decades. Aside from habitat degradation, researchers believe the vulture is in critical condition as a result of the use of medications such as diclofenac, which is used on cattle.

"Drug Management Department has banned the production, use, and distribution of diclofenac from 6 June , 2006, and replaced it with meloxicam, which has been proven not to affect vultures and other birds and wildlife," he said.

According to Ghimire, out of 23 species of vultures found in the world, 9 species of vultures are found in South Asia. He informed that 9 species found in South Asia are also found in Nepal and all those species are found in Pokhara.

Ghimire stated that the number of white vultures was the greatest in the Pokhara area count, with only one royal vulture found.

Photo:Dasrath Shrestha Beejukchhen