Eight new species of birds found in Resunga and Madane forest areas

Gulmi, August 14: At least eight new species of birds were detected in the Resunga and Madane protected forest areas.

According to a survey conducted by the Nepal Bird Conservation Association, the birds were found in Madane and Resunga forest protected areas, project officer of the association Bharat Panthi told RSS.

He further said that among the new species of birds found in Madane forest area were Chakasuchak, Kalokantha Bhuinrobin, Shyamshwet Arjunak, Kalo Bungechari, Aali Chuiya, Himali Lekchari and Sano Seto Bakulla (little egret).

He said that bird survey is being carried out in Gulmi twice a year through the Mackinnon listing method. Gulmi is one of the habitats of rarest species of birds found in the world. At least six species of birds among the rare ones in the world are found in the district alone.

Among the rare species of birds found in Resunga and Madane forest conservation area of Gulmi are vultures, including Chirkalij, Ranamachch Mahachil, Dangar Vulture, Soto Vulture, Sun Vulture and Gomayo Mahachil.

The Resunga and Madane forest areas also have the world's rare, spiny babbler (Kande Bhyakur), which is only found in Nepal.    
Gulmi alone has 35 per cent of the 892 species of birds found in Nepal. According to a survey, 263 species of birds have been found in Resunga and 286 species in Madane.

Madane's forest area stretches from 975 metres to 2,690 metres while Resunga forest area ranges from 575 to 2,345 metres. In terms of forest area, Resunga has an area of 19,281 hectares while Madane has 13,743 hectares.

Panthi further informed that the number of rare species of birds is increasing in Resunga and Madane conserved forests. Division Forest Office Gulmi chief Jeevan Pangeni highlighted spectacular role of the local governments in preserving the habitat of the endangered birds, including spiny babbler.

Nepal Bird Conservation Association has been running livelihood support programmes in the wards adjoining the forest area. The programme has helped the locals around the forest area conserve the forest and search for rare species of birds.