Motorboat operation in Kanti Tal poses threat to bird habitat
Wildlife conservationists are worried that attempts to operate motorboat by forcefully changing the shape of the Lake could put the avian sanctuary in danger.
NEPALGUNJ (Banke): Bird habitat in Kanti Tal (Kanti Lake) in Nepalgunj, Banke district faces high risk of destruction if motorboat is operated in the Lake.
Kanti Tal that lies in the wetland is spread across 25 bigha at Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City ward no 21 and 22. It is home to many endangered species of birds such as Sarus crane as well as migratory birds.
Wildlife conservationists are worried that attempts to operate motorboat by forcefully changing the shape of the Lake could put the avian sanctuary in danger.
Aashish Chaudhary, President of Friends for Wildlife Conservation, said that migratory birds from Siberia, Thailand and Malaysia fly to this Lake. A survey conducted by Birds Conservation Nepal and Nepal Ornithologists Association found 31 species of birds in the Lake.
Conservationist Chaudhary said that motor boat operation would put existential threat to the birds’ habitat as well as a vital source of foods for birds. “The Park should be developed as a Bird Park,” he viewed.
He said that their serious attention was drawn towards the Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City which granted permission for the contractor seeking to operate motorboat. “It is certain that such activities would destroy the natural habitat of endangered birds.”
The local government, some two years ago, had awarded a local contractor to operate a fuel-powered motorboat in the Lake for ten years.
This move has drawn criticisms from wildlife conservationists as, they claim, lack of eco-friendly approach towards infrastructure development in the Park could jeopardize Lake’s delicate ecosystem.
Local activist Dr Binod Karna termed the move as ‘catastrophic’ for the Lake’s ecosystem. “It will not be good if motorboat is operated despite the repeated requests,” he warned.
The Lake, which is conserved and beautified by the local government, also boasts of a wide variety of aquatic animals and plants. In the past, water in the Lake was used for irrigation and later the lake was leased out for fishing.
Local government developed the park as a tourist destination in the recent years.
