Motorboat Operation in Kanti Tal Threatens Bird Habitat, Conservationists Warn

The habitat of endangered and migratory birds in Kanti Tal (Kanti Lake) in Nepalgunj, Banke district, faces a significant threat due to proposed motorboat operations in the area. Spread across 25 bigha of land in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City’s wards 21 and 22, Kanti Tal is a vital sanctuary for various bird species, including the endangered Sarus crane.

Conservationists are raising alarms that the operation of motorboats, which requires altering the shape of the lake, could severely damage the ecosystem that supports these birds. Ashish Chaudhary, President of Friends for Wildlife Conservation, emphasized the lake’s importance as a refuge for migratory birds from Siberia, Thailand, and Malaysia. A survey by Bird Conservation Nepal and the Nepal Ornithologists Association identified 31 bird species inhabiting the lake.

“The operation of motorboats poses an existential threat to the bird’s habitat and disrupts a crucial food source,” Chaudhary stated, advocating for the lake’s development as a dedicated Bird Park. He expressed concern over the Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City’s decision to permit motorboat operations, warning that such activities would likely destroy the natural environment crucial for the survival of these endangered species.

The local government had, two years ago, granted a contract to operate a fuel-powered motorboat in Kanti Tal for a decade, a move that has been met with strong opposition from wildlife conservationists. Critics argue that the lack of an eco-friendly approach to developing infrastructure in the park could destabilize the lake’s delicate ecosystem.

Local activist Dr. Binod Karna described the decision as “catastrophic” for the lake’s ecosystem. “Operating a motorboat despite repeated requests to reconsider will have dire consequences,” he warned.

Kanti Tal, which has been conserved and beautified by the local government in recent years, is not only home to a wide variety of birds but also aquatic animals and plants. Historically, the lake served as a source of irrigation, and it was later leased out for fishing. In recent years, the local government has developed the park as a tourist destination, but conservationists fear that the introduction of motorboats could undo years of conservation efforts.

Report By- Yubaraj Pandey/ RSS