Kathmandu, February 6
The population of water birds in Nepal has declined in recent years, according to the latest nationwide census conducted in January. The 15-day survey, which began on the first Saturday of the month, recorded 90,688 water birds of 89 species across the country. In comparison, the 2025 census documented 96,565 birds of 94 species, while earlier counts had exceeded 100,000.
Nepal has participated in the Asian Waterbird Census since 1987 in collaboration with Wetlands International. The survey tracks migratory birds that arrive from extremely cold regions such as Russia, northern China, Mongolia and Siberia during winter in search of food and favourable climate.
Led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and coordinated by the Nepal Ornithologists’ Association, this year’s census covered 18 major wetlands and several smaller sites. A total of 411 volunteers, including government staff, ornithologists and citizen scientists, took part. The findings were released on February 2 to mark World Wetlands Day.
Experts attribute the decline to wetland encroachment, infrastructure development, invasive species, chemical use in agriculture and increasing human disturbance around key habitats.
