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Background
Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) has been developing and
managing Bagmati River Nature Park – BNP along the
Bagmati River corridor with HMG/N approval for five
years The aim of the project is to create suitable
habitats for both the urban as well as migratory bird
species and provide environmental education and
experience based learning to school, college and
university students. There is no any nature park or
reserve within the accessible surroundings where
students can learn about nature, natural habitat and
environment issues.
The development of the Bagmati River Nature Park offers
a huge opportunity to promote conservation and
environmental issues to the large urban population of
Kathmandu. BCN will develop the visitor centre to
promote how through the conservation of habitats and
birds, people can benefit themselves. The key focus of
BCNs work will be in developing an educational programme
for the numerous local schools, offering excellent field
educational opportunities. The development of one of the
few green urban spaces within the city will offer a
unique visitor experience where visitors will be able to
walk and enjoy urban wildlife and habitats.
In summary, the Bagmati River Nature Park will provide
people with information about birds and other wildlife
and give them the opportunity to enjoy, cherish and
learn about the natural environment.
Activities
Environmental Education
Since August 2008, 68 different schools visited to
disseminate conservation education messages about birds and
biodiversity. In each school, about 1 hour class was
taken sharing the knowledge on Bagmati River Nature Park
and its importance for environmental education. Brochure
of Bagmati River Nature Park and other posters were
disributed among the students. Among them 50 schools had
made their visit to BNP for field based education.
During their visit our Field Education Officer
guided them and briefed them about plants and birds of BNP. Bird indentification technique was also
demonstrated to them.
Managing the visitor centre
The visitor centre has been managed successfully. General
visitors get information about the park and birds
of Nepal. The park is becoming suitable place for
refreshment getting practical knowledge on Biodiversity
conservation among people of valley. Although there is
not actual format for record of visitors), average
number of general visitors is 96 per day. From random
questionnaire survey many visitors were found repeat
their visit in different time interval. Flow of visitors
in the morning is for morning walk more than noon, due
to good environment and free space in the middle of
human settlement.
Placement of Boards, Signages and Dust bins
A new and updated Board of BNP is placed at the previous
same place. Some signages like way points and with other
information in Nepali Language are placed at different
section of the Park. Metal Dustbins are placed at
different location of the park which will help to
control solid waste pollution (plastics and Bottles)
thrown by the visitors.
Bird survey
Monthly bird surveys were carried out; total of 60
species has been recorded till September 2008. Among
them some notable records are Asian Paradise Flycatcher,
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Pied Cuckoo and
Black-winged Cuckooshrike (Annex II). Similarly bird
survey of overall Bagmati River system was done from
July 30 to August 30, 2008 to know the status of birds
along the Bagmati River corridor. A total of 112 bird
species have been recorded. This study was supported by
National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). A
recommendation made by BCN, based on this study, will be
included in the Integrated Bagmati Action Plan.
Plantation Programme and weeding
On 17 July 2008, BCN organized a plantation programme at
Bagmati Nature Park
The programme was inaugarated by Krishna K.C, President
of BASP. He forwarded a speech where he highlighted the
importance of the role of individuals for greener and
cleaner Bagmati by a holistic approach. Further, Dr
Siddhartha Bajracharya from NTNC and Krishna Dev Yadav
from UNPDC also forwarded a short speech about keeping
Bagmati Nature Park clean and safe and give consistency
to our commitment of greener world.
The saplings were provided by the nursery, Chanlakhel of
Forest Department and Godawari Nursery, ICIMOD. More
than 200 people participated from various organisations
like IUCN, WWF, ICIMOD, Municipality, Security force,
BASP, UNPDC etc along with few people living near the
Bagmati River. Total 1000 new saplings of different
native plant species were planted.
Cleaning
The weeds around the young plant, planted this summer
were cleared. Park being in early stage weeds used to be
dominant which are becoming problem for young plants to
grow. Similarly clearing of walking trial, was done
which was covered by shrubs in most part of trial. To
reduce the excess herbs at the boarder of walking trial
digging is going on, where other attractive herbs like
Cyconodon spss and flowering plant, plantation will be
done in future.
Plant Tagging
Different 21 species of plants of the BNP are tagged
with Nepali and Scientific names. This will help to know
the floral name for the general visitors and School
students.
Reed-bed construction
Untreated sewerage flow openly through the park to the
river. We are planning to establish a natural reed bed
water filtration system to treat the water to some
extend. A Reed-bed of 10 ×6.5 m is constructed and
planted reeds as per the standard. This process will be
in use once the reeds have grown to the level. Once we
check the water quality of this system, we are planning
to create such systems in other two places before that
flows to the river. This will help to reduce water
pollution in the river chain.
Resting place for visitors
Three cemented sitting places with roof are constructed
at different places inside the park considering the flow
of visitors.
Similarly at small patch of park, Dubo Cynodon dactylon
is planted targeting for bare footed morning walk
visitors.
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