Deepa Paudel

Study on Impact of Locally Used Pesticide on Farmland Bird Species and Conservation Initiative

Birds at farmland outside National Park.

Farmer spraying pesticide at farmland.

Farmer with pesticide and equipment.

Mikania micrantha (Invasive Species) placing in pit for compost making.

Survival of all bird species (dependant on wetland / farmland / forestland) will be secured if only birds get safe habitat in terms of food / cover /water. All bird species surviving in world directly or indirectly depends on farmland. So, bird population are found high in more productive farmland rather than less productive. Chitwan-Valley is that place which is renowned for both agricultural production and bird population.

Currently, by looking market demand and visioning to generate more money within short time, farmers are using harmful chemicals (pesticide / insecticides / herbicides) excessively in farmlands to increase production. Such practice has been continuously depleting fundamental components of bird's survival; environment, water, preys (arthropods), habitat / covers (nesting / swimming / breeding). Similarly, chemical sellers are paying attention more on income generation rather than ecology / environment / health. Recent studies on different districts showed that many people / farmers are found affected from pesticide while using. But people are unaware. Similarly, Government has also realized urgent action to dispose pesticide which proves "Extreme Use of Highly Toxic Chemicals.

Besides local farmland / wetland species, migratory / park's birds depend on farmland outside park / buffer-zone but people target park / buffer zone only while developing plan / project.

Misconception "Birds depend only on Forestland / Park" has been leading conservation programme behind as a result many globally threatened birds were disappeared and some are in critical stage due to chemicals.

So project has planned effective study with conservation initiative in order to conserve farmland bird species from chemical pesticides outside the buffer zones of protected area.

For further information contact skt_deepa1@yahoo.com