Six duck species were missing from the wetlands in Chitwan district, according to a recent census.

Ornithologist Basu Bidari and former president of Bird Education Society, Chitwan, said only 48 duck species were counted this year against 54 recorded during last year’s census.

The duck species of Sindurey Hans, Phurkey Hans, Hari Hans, Sunchuri Hans, Soiro Puchchharey Hans and the Swtaankhibhaun Hans were not found in the district.

Altogether, Bidari said, they recorded 213 typese of water birds living in and around the wetland areas of Chitwan. 

The number of birds inhabiting the wetlands is 5,576 and the number of birds inhabiting other areas is 6,215 as per the bird census that was conducted at the initiation of the Chitwan National Park and Bird Education Society. 

Bird census is currently underway in various wetland areas of the country. Around 300 volunteers and ornithologists have been put to the task, said Dr Hem Sagar Baral, chief of the Ornithologists Association of Nepal.

He said they would submit a comprehensive report to the government after all census reports are collected.