In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2024, WWF Nepal is launching a new project "Community-led conservation of wetlands and migratory birds in Narayani”, which focuses on safeguarding critical wetlands in Narayani River floodplains, including areas within the world renowned Chitwan National Park and its buffer zones.

The two-year project - ​the first in the Central Asian Flyway under WWF's Wetlands for Asian Flyways - will restore and create wetland habitats through community-led interventions, aiming to safeguard migratory birds and ensure the ecological connectivity of their flyways. It serves as a foundational effort in establishing a regional network of healthy wetlands dedicated to migratory bird conservation, which will also enhance critical ecosystem services for local communities, such as water and food security, flood control and climate change adaptation.

The project aligns with the Initiative of Central Asian Flyway recently adopted under the Convention on the Convention of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) during its 14^th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties in 2024.

Two days ago, WWF released the Living Planet Report 2024, highlighting a 73% decline in global species population on average since 1970, with freshwater species collapsing by 85%. Protecting and restoring these freshwater habitats will contribute to global efforts to reverse nature loss, while helping Nepal to achieve its national targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Freshwater Challenge.

Located at the crossroads of two bio-geographic realms – Palaeartic and Indo-Malayan – Nepal’s diverse climate and altitudinal gradient contribute to its complex biogeography, hosting a wide range of migratory birds travelling along Central Asian Flyway every year.

The mosaic of habitats including wetlands, grasslands and post-harvest paddy fields across the Narayani floodplains provide excellent feeding and roosting grounds for migratory birds flying across the Himalayan ecoregion in autumn and winter. Ensuring the protection, restoration and effective management of the network of these habitats is crucial for the well-being of migratory birds.

However, the wetlands and the species they sustain face various threats, including land use change through infrastructure development; climate-induced drought; pollution (particularly from pesticides); invasive species such as water hyacinth, southern cut grass and sedge; and unsustainable hunting.

The project aims to restore degraded wetlands and create safe alternate feeding habitats for migratory birds in Chitwan National Park, helping to redirect them away from farmland and reduce human widlife conflict. As a nature-based solution, the project will also mitigate pollution, contributing to the long-term survival of these “feathered guests”, in line with the Nepali saying, “Atithi Devo Bhava”, meaning “Guest is God”.

Engaging local communities is a key component of the project. Through Behaviour Change Communication campaigns, WWF Nepal will work to raise awareness about the importance of conserving migratory birds and their habitats. Knowledge will be shared with local communities and stakeholders through story-telling and educational activities.

Capacity building is central to this community-led conservation project. We plan to train local communities, especially youths, to engage in wetland and bird monitoring. Restoring wetlands for migratory birds will not only benefit the wildlife, but also benefit local communities that rely on the ecosystem services provided by healthy wetlands.

"Open marshland is rare in protected areas; hence providing safe feeding habitat inside protected areas is vital to prevent human persecution of migratory birds in farmlands," said Dr Ghana Gurung, Country Representative WWF Nepal. 
 
“The fate of migratory birds is connected to us. This project is a crucial step towards conserving migratory birds and wetlands along the Central Asian Flyway. We hope this initiative creates a ripple effect, expand efforts to safeguarding biodiversity, restore ecosystems and sustain local livelihoods," said Vivian Fu, WWF Lead, Wetlands for Asian Flyways Initiative.