Understanding Biodiversity

During 2007-08, the Bird Education Society conducted bird survey for one year in Bis Hazari Tal and Khorsor Area to find the bird diversity with special focus on water birds as this area is renowned for wetlands (lakes, marshes and waterholes), a good habitat for many species of birds, mammals and reptiles.

Bis Hazari Tal

While I was doing the data analysis for the mid-term reporting, I was surprised to find the equal number of bird species that is 110, in both sites. Habitat type and quality are mostly similar in both sites. However, I thought for the previous bird data or report of the areas to compare with the present data but no such reports were available.

  

Bob Tal in Khorsor Area

Biodiversity is not only complex but also dynamic. Biological community is ever changing to adapt itself to new environmental conditions and challenges. The integrated functioning that depends on the species diversity, is important for the healthy ecosystem. As these ecological processes occur in spatial and temporal scales, it is crucial to monitor the biodiversity of specific area consistently over longer period to understand the complex structure and functioning.

Water Hyacinth in Bis Hazari Tal

The systematic record of biological data is significant to understand the biodiversity and its ecological processes, and also important for future reference that would help to formulate better conservation strategy of the area.

Marsh Mugger in Bob Tal

Any institution or individuals, who are close to the nature reserve or study area, could monitor the biodiversity with little effort, time and money. Bird Education Society has been conducting Saturday Bird Watching Tours in different areas especially to find the bird diversity in the Chitwan Valley. Those data are also being used for research purpose. Anyone, who are interested to observe and study birds, could participate in the tours so that it raises awareness and enthusiasm on bird conservation in the communities. As nature guides go in the park or protected area regularly, they could keep the record of the species with additional information, they observed during the tour. It is important especially for biology students that they keep the data systematically from the field activities that would be much helpful for their future research works.

The photos have been taken recently.