Ghoda Ghodi Ramsar Area Begins Gadwall Count

Kailali. The count of Gadwall, a flagship species in the Ghoda Ghodi Ramsar area of Kailali, has begun. The count of Gadwall will be conducted for three days starting today under the organization of the Nepal Bird Conservation Association.

Eight people are participating in the counting team. The counting has started simultaneously in three blocks by forming three sub-groups, informed Hirulal Dagora, Field Project Officer of the Nepal Bird Conservation Association.

According to him, the flagship species Gadwall is counted every year in the winter and summer seasons in the Ghoda Ghodi Ramsar area. He said that the number of Gadwalls decreases in the summer compared to winter.

According to Dagora, Gadwalls breed in the Ramsar areas including Laukaha-Bhaukaha, Ghoratal, and Sonyari-Rupiyan located in Bhajani Municipality of Kailali. He said that due to Gadwalls spreading to various Ramsar areas of the district for breeding, their number in the Ghoda Ghodi area appears less in the summer compared to winter.

According to the summer count, 212 Gadwalls were recorded here in 2023, 225 in 2024, and 164 in 2025. In winter, the number reached 394 in 2022, 316 in 2023, and 411 in 2024.

In 2025, this number decreased to 372. In the winter of 2026, the data shows the number of Gadwalls reached 429. During the same period, the number of other water birds has been gradually decreasing, the data shows.

After the completion of this year's summer count, detailed information about the actual status, distribution, and number of Gadwalls will be made public, said Dagora, an officer of the Bird Conservation Association. He informed that along with Gadwalls, other water birds found in the Ghoda Ghodi Ramsar area will also be counted.

Ghoda Ghodi Lake is the largest Ramsar area in the Terai. Ghoda Ghodi was listed as a World Ramsar site in 2003. At that time, the number of Gadwalls was one thousand.

Various bodies have been working for the conservation of Ghoda Ghodi. As it is a suitable habitat for birds, this area was declared Nepal's first bird sanctuary in 2078 BS, Falgun 27.

The flagship species of the Ghoda Ghodi area are Marsh Crocodile, Gadwall, and Wild Rice.