A group comprising ornithologists and bird watchers has started water bird count in Chitwan district.

The Bird Education Society (BES) initiated the count inside Chitwan National Park, home to 630 bird species of the total 876 species recorded in the country so far.

The organisation in coordination with other stakeholders has been conducting nation-wide count of these species every year to update the status of aquatic bird species, which include the globally threatened species.

“We initiated the count inside CNP about a week ago and our preliminary findings suggest an increase in number of the aquatic birds in comparison to the previous year,” said Tika Giri, advisor to the BES, on Saturday. According to him, the final result of the count will be announced only after completing the task in all designated areas.

Tiger census in Bardiya

GULARIYA: The tiger census using camera trapping technology is set to kick off in Bardiya National Park on Sunday. The population of tigers is counted in the park every four years. According to Ramesh Kumar Thapa, chief conservation officer at the national park, tiger population will be counted in the park, bio-corridor and Chhatiban. Four teams will count the tigers in the area.