As per our regular schedule of collecting lakes’ information, we visited Phewa Lake on 1 July, 2008. Phewa Lake was found polluted, most part of the lake was covered with water hyacinth and other unwanted (invasive) weeds. It also found that people were bathing, washing, fishing, grazing & swimming. There was huge distrubed on the free boating and swimming.
There was also the mass of plants were placed on the way to Temple (Tal Bahari). We felt that it is year of high water hyacinth's pressure.
By visiting two ecologically important lakes; Bis-Hajari in Chitwan and Phewa in Kaski of Nepal, we realized that water hyacinth is today's main problem. That is why, PARC like to request you all people (local and global) and allied agencies to put contribution for wetland existence. If these events (polluting) continued, there will be lesser chance to make benefit from these wetlands/Lakes.
Pollution Increased in Bis-Hajari Lake; 25 June, 2008
With coming mosoon, Bis-Hajari Lake (Ramsar Site) is found more polluted. most part of the lake was covered with water hyacinth and other unwanted (invasive) weeds. During the season, it becomes hard to see the free water zone in the lake.
Though it is the yearly phenomenon, the conservation steps should be carried out to restore the habitat of wetland biodiversity. Therefore, it became uttmost need to do some conservation activities to alive lake as Ramsar site.
Research
In the material support of PARC, Suman Bhattarai is conducting the reseaerch entitled "RELATION BETWEEN SOIL AND RHINOCEROS PREFERED DIET (PLANT) SPECIES" in the Baghmara Bufferzone Community Forest, Chitwan National Park, Chitwan Nepal.
RHINO COUNT - 2008
Rhino Count-2008 had been finished on 23, March 2008 in Chitwan National Park of Nepal. Total 408 rhinos were counted, among them; 100-Male, 130-Female and Unknown-178. By age; 277-Adult, 51-Immature, 80-Calfs were found. This number, 408, is greater than previous count (Rhino Count-2005). There were only 372 rhinos in this Park in-2005.The increased percent is 9.67 and number is 36.
Mr. Shyam Bajimaya, Director General, Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal has disseminated the information of Rhino Count -2008 through by organizing park Press Conference in City of Bharatpur Municipality, Chitwan, Nepal.
Environment Day Celebration
PARC celebrated the World Environment Day- 2007 with the slogan “Melting Ice – A Hot Topic? See Report on Past Activities
"Strengthening community based conservation approach for sustainable management of Rupa lake ecosystem" Rufford Project, celebrated the World Environment Day- 2007 with the slogan “Melting Ice – A Hot Topic?
Photo; © D. Paudel
©S. Bhattarai