Environmental Projects:
BAGMATI RIVER RESTORATION AND NATURE CENTER
Nepal SEEDS partnered with Bird Conservation Nepal to support the development of the Bagmati River Nature Park. Development of the Park included a Visitor Center to demonstrate the benefits of conservation, and foot trails through the Park.
Since the construction of foot trails and nature center, the park has been used by around 150 people each day, using the path for their morning and evening leisure walks. The eastern half is maintained as a natural habitat for birds. The Park works to find a balance between managed and unmanaged habitats and areas along the river.
Approximately 3.4 million people live in the Kathmandu. There are very few green spaces such as parks or nature reserves for the urban population. The Bagmati River corridor is one of the few available green spaces within the capital city.
The main problems facing the Bagmati River corridor are:
· Encroachment by squatters, use of the river as a toilet, dumping household and industrial waste.
· Sand extraction for construction
· Most houses sewer systems houses drain directly into it without first passing through septic tanks or soak-pits.
· A built environment that reduces habitat quality and scenic views.
Inspired by the conservation work that has been done along the Bagmati River, the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) plans to carry out further conservation work in the entire Bagmati corridor.
KOSHI TAPPU
Nepal SEEDS partnered with Bird Conservation Nepal to host an
environmental and health fair and one day health clinic in Koshi
Tappu, in the Terai region of Nepal. The goals of the fair
were to provide health services to an underserved population in
Nepal, and raise awareness of the environmental and ecological
importance of the wetlands of Koshi Tappu.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) was declared a Ramsar Site for its importance for migrating wildfowl in 1987. The large number of bird species (485) is by far the most important wetland staging post for migrating waterfowl in Nepal and one of the most important in Asia. Many globally threatened bird species have been recorded in the Koshi Tappu area, which is especially important for some wetland species, including eight of Nepal's near-threatened wetland birds.
The one day clinic brought doctors and nurses from Kathmandu to do check-ups, medical diagnoses and overall health education. While people stood in line waiting for their medical consultations, staff from Bird Conservation Nepal and some students from the local Nature Club walked around with books and posted and talked with people about the natural history and biological importance of the area and to begin an on-going community discussion about the conflicts between wildlife and humans needs of the same lands and resources.
