Environmental Fair and Health Camp
In December 2003 and March 2005 with financial support from SEEDS, Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) and Himalayan Nature organized an environmental exhibit and health camps at Koshi Tappu, in eastern Nepal.
In 2005, 267 people (87 women, 149 men and 28 children under 6 years old) were treated by 2 male doctors and 1 female assistant doctor. The first year clinic visitors requested a woman doctor. The total number of clinic visitors increased by 30 from year one to year 2.
16 volunteers (12 students and 4 community members) provided environmental education instruction and training. At the training day, students were divided into 4 groups. Each group under the guidance of an advisor became the caretaker of a small community forest patch. Each student will be given certificate for looking after recently planted plants in their community forest patches.
A third clinic will held in December 2006. Our goal for 2006 is to increase the number of visitors to the clinic, increase the number of community forest patch stewards and to involve the community and students in more restoration projects.
Bagmati River Restoration Project
The Katmandu valley is nearly 900 square km, with a population of about 2 million people. There are very few green spaces parks, nature reserves, within the city. The Bagmati River corridor is one of the few available green spaces within the capital city.
According to Hindu tradition, the water of the Bagmati River is sacred. People believe that it is an ‘amrit’, and if someone drinks a few drops of it or takes a bath, he/she will secure a place in heaven. Moreover, most of the Hindu temples in Katmandu are situated on the banks of the Bagmati.
Biologically, the Bagmati River and its riparian habitats have the potential to support a very wide variety of animals and plants, and to form an important corridor for migrating birds. If this potential is to be realised, however, it is vital that the river corridor is protected and restored.
The water quality of the river has become highly toxic. This has resulted loss of aquatic biodiversity extirpating many water insects, fishes, amphibians and reptiles. Most mammal species have moved away partly also because the urbanization has left no space for them to live. Some species of birds, because of their ability to adapt are still thriving in these habitats.
In the past, the Bagmati river was known as a site for globally threatened birds for example Lesser Adjutant and White-rumped and Sleder-billed Vultures, Imperial and Greater Spotted Eagles, Hodgson’s Bushchat etc. Several of the now nationally threatened birds were found in the valley eg. Grey-headed Lapwing, Falcated Duck etc. Similarly a wide varieties of passerine birds are found here- we reckon at least 300 species of birds are found along the river and its riparian habitats.
The river habitat has been destroyed and deteriorated; therefore many of the birds have declined because of several threats operating in the area. Those, which have survived, they have now taken a different course for migration – not necessarily a course without threats. The major threats include habitat loss and deterioration, hunting and trapping etc. In such scenario, The Bagmati Nature Park goal is to provide refuge for urban wildlife as well as migrating birds.
Project Goal
The goal of the project is to develop and maintain the Bagmati Riverside Nature Park as a green space for people and wildlife that provides a model and advocacy tool for the sustainable management of rivers and their associated habitats.
By the end of year 5 of the project:
1) the park will be heavily used and highly valued by the people of Kathmandu
2) the value of the park for wildlife will have improved significantly
3) the park will have catalysed action to improve additional stretches of the Bagmati River corridor
4) the park will have raised awareness among key decision-makers at the city and national levels of the need to clean up the Bagmati and other polluted rivers in Nepal.
Project Objectives
The objectives of the project are:
1) to improve the habitats within the park, making them more valuable to wildlife and more attractive to people
2) to provide high-quality visitor facilities to ensure that visitors derive the maximum enjoyment and benefit from the park
3) to increase ‘ownership’ and appreciation of the park among local people by encouraging them to play a key role in its management
4) to improve knowledge and understanding of birds, other wildlife and the natural environment among children and adults by means of a range of educational and awareness-raising activities
5) to raise awareness among decision-makers and the general public of the importance of improved management of rivers and their associated habitats, using the park as a model and advocacy tool.
