Conservation status of Ramsar sites of Nepal Tarai: an overview

Abstract

Nepal houses only inland freshwater wetlands, ranging from floodplains of snow-melt-fed cold Himalayan rivers, warm rivers originating in the mid hills, high altitudinal glacial lakes to hot springs, ponds, ox-bow lakes, marshes and swamps. These wetlands support several endemic and globally threatened species of flora and fauna. Besides, wetland sites have significant recreational, religio-cultural and spiritual values. There are over 240 wetland sites in Nepal, of which 163 are in the Terai (plain lowland). Wetlands found in Tarai are comparatively more inventoried than the wetlands of mountains and the Himalayan regions of the country. The Terai region (below 300 m) covers about 14% of the country's total area, where half of Nepal's total populations exist. About 11% population of the country is wetland dependent; majority of them are living in the Terai region. The country has nine Ramsar sites, of which, four are in the Tarai region. Among them, two sites (Koshi Tappu wetland, and Beeshazar and associated lakes) lie inside the protected areas and two sites (Ghodaghodi Lake area and Jagadishpur Reservoir) are distributed outside the protected areas. The Koshi Tappu wetland lies along the floodplains of the Sapta Koshi River in the eastern Tarai within the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. It is the first Ramsar site in Nepal. Beeshazar and associated lakes lies in the buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park along the inner Tarai of Central Nepal. The Ghodaghodi Lake Area (2500 ha) lies in the far western Nepal, and comprises about 14 large and small ox-bow lakes/ponds with associated marshes, swamps, river/streams, springs, seasonal marshy grasslands and human made wetlands, out of them, Ghodaghodi Lake (138 ha) is the largest natural lake in the Nepal's Tarai. The lake system falls between the Bardia National Park and the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve of the country and the surrounding forest functions as an important corridor for the movement of wildlife between these as well as the Tarai and the northern Siwalik hills. Similarly, the Jagadishpur Reservoir (225 ha) which lies in Central Nepal's Tarai is the largest man-made wetland in Nepal for irrigation purpose. It is an important site for migratory and resident birds. In this paper we highlight the status, threats, conservation issues and management practices of these Ramsar sites lying in Nepal Tarai. Key-words: Ghodaghodi Lake; Jagdishpur Reservoir; Nepal Tarai; outside protected area; wetlands.DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2914 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 76-84

An analysis of willingness to pay for community-based conservation activities at the Ghodaghodi Lake Complex, Nepal

“…Wetlands are always regarded as an important resource in Nepal in terms of its ecosystem services to the local people and habitats for riparian and aquatic species. More than 240 wetlands exist in Nepal (Siwakoti & Karki 2009), harbouring 11 globally threatened and 26 endemic flowering plant species as well as 42 globally threatened faunal species (IUCN 2004). Over 190 species of birds (22% of total available species in Nepal) are wetland dependent (IUCN 1998).…”

Sustainable livelihoods through conservation of wetland resources: a case of economic benefits from Ghodaghodi Lake, western Nepal

“…Several studies have been conducted in Nepal regarding different aspects of wetlands, for example, bathymetry and limnology (Gurung et al 2009), forest cover change assessment (Khanal 2009), integrated wetland watershed management (Regmi et al 2009), conservation status (Siwakoti and Karki 2009), water quality parameter and bird status (Thapa and Saund 2012), and limnological status (Niraula 2012). However, very few researchers have studied ethnic participation in resource conservation and the contributions of wetland resources to human livelihoods.…”

Water Quality Parameters and Bird Diversity in Jagdishpur Reservoir, Nepal

“…Out of the total wetland area, 34,455 ha have been designated as Ramsar sites. Nepal has nine Ramsar sites (KoshiTappu, Beeshazar and associated lakes, Ghodaghodi Lake area, Jagadishpur Reservoir, Gokyo and associated lakes, Gosaikunda and associated lakes, Phoksundo Lake, Rara Lake and Mai Pokhari) (Siwakoti & Karki 2009). …”