Conservation area wetlands in peril
SUNSARI: Wetlands and lakes of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Conservation area have been depleting bit by bit and a new type of vegetation has been replacing the flora in the area.
According to Deepnarayan Shah, chief, Wetlands Preservation and Utilisation Project, the wetlands of Udayapur, Sunsari and Saptari districts were facing the problem. “Bhagalpur Lake of Udayapur, Lalpaniya Lake of Saptari and Titrigacchhi Lake and Kusaha wetlands of Sunsari are at the verge of extinction,” added Shah.
Wild pests were growing everywhere and the lakes and ponds were drying up. Shah claimed that the wetlands must have dried because of impact of climate change.
Meanwhile, Shah emphasised that policy regarding the wetlands should be revised timely. He said, “All the stakeholders should be serious in preserving the wetlands,” adding, “We all should realise that the wetlands are disappearing due to human encroachment and climate change.”
Furthermore, Rabin Ghimire, chairman, Culture, Human and Environment Conservation Group warned that Koshi Tappu area could lose its identity if preservation measures were
not taken on time.
