84 bird species spotted along the Manohara river bank

January 11, Bhaktapur: Eighty-four species of birds have been recorded along the bank of the Manohara river, which is a tributary of the Bagmati river, and adjoining areas.

The bird count conducted by a team led by wildlife photographer and ornithophile Sanjay Tha Shrestha concluded on Tuesday with this finding. The survey held under the Mid-Winter Water Bird Count revealed the number of birds in the area was falling.

Increasing urbanization, human encroachment on the river areas and river pollution are among the causes damaging the bird habitats leading to a fall in their number, Shrestha said.

Rising construction activities supported by the use of dozers and drill have posed threats to bird habitats.

Using the river as a dumping site, industrial discharge, and the discharge of residential wastewater to the river have made the river intensely polluted. As a result, the marine lifecycle has largely got affected, causing the lack of river-based food for birds, according to another photographer Chandra Chakradhar who was part of the survey. Illegal sand extraction from the river is another major cause of disturbance of river life. The Manohara River welcomes various species of migratory birds from Cyprus and various European nations during winter.

Other members of the team were Binay Shrestha, Ram Shrestha, Ayusha Poudel, Suresh Khambu, Bikki Aduwa and Shailendra Bhashik.