Report on Wetlands Inventory of Chure Region (East of Narayani)
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Report on Wetlands Inventory of Chure Region (East of Narayani) Submitted to The Rastrapati Chure Conservation Program Coordination Unit, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Babhar Mahal Kathmandu Prepared by Dr. Mohan Siwakoti Roshan Sherchan Tej Bahadur Basnet Lila Nath Sharma July 2012 Executive Summary Nepal houses several types of inland fresh water wetlands range from high altitudinal glacial lakes to hot springs, ponds, ox-bow lakes to river floodplains, marshes and swamps. Although, Nepal has no detail inventory of wetlands but a few studies show that most of the wetlands are distributed in high Himalayas (above 4000m) followed by Tarai, middle mountains (1100-3000m), high mountains (3000-4000m) and Chure region respectively. Chure/ Siwaliks region is the most water scarce zone of the country. However, the Chure region is the main source of water for the downstream Tarai, where over 50% population of the country resides. This region is popular for forest coverage with many valuable threatened flora and fauna. Due to loose sedimentary rock dominated by unconsolidated and porous rocks like sand, sandstone, boulders, pebbles, etc., the Chure area cannot retain the water. The Chure is regarded as youngest hills in the Himalayan system and more fragile in terms of its ongoing geological formation. The slightly risen northern part of Tarai is considered as Bhawar region, a water recharge zone for Tarai. The Bhawar makes a transition zone between the steep northern Chure hills and southern alluvial land of Tarai. In Bhawar the rainfall during monsoon percolates down and emerges as springs and marshes along the northern edges of the Tarai, which are the main sources of water for irrigation the Tarai. The gently sloping valleys between the Chure hills and Mahabharat Lekh are known as Bhitri Madesh or Inner Tarai valley (Dun). The area of Bhawar, Chure hills and the Bhitri Madesh is considered as Chure area. The Rastrapati Chure Conservation Program Implementation Guidelines 2068 B.S. (RCCPIG) also considered the area between the Tarai and the Mahabharat Lekh as a Chure area, which extends 33 districts and accounts to about 13 percent of total area of the country. The conservation of the Chure landscape and its forest is very important to protect Tarai by reducing sedimentation and water shortage. Because of continue encroachment and irrational human activities in the Chure area leading to rapidly increased the landslides, soil erosion, floods, biodiversity loss, rapid spreading of invasive alien plant species as well as unsustainable water extraction and farming practices. Realizing the importance of Chure conservation the government of Nepal under the aegis of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation has been implementing the Rastrapati Chure Conservation Program (RCCP) since 2010 (2067/068 B.S.) and initiated various studies to understand the problems of the Chure area which makes a direct impact on the ecosystem and biodiversity of the Chure I region. Realizing the gap of base line information to intervene the conservation and management initiatives, the present study to carry out the inventory of the wetlands of the Chure area (east of the Narayani) was undertaken. The study was undertaken by a multidisciplinary team in the direction of the Rastrapati Chure Conservation Program (Coordination Unit). The information mentioned in the report is mainly collected from field study. The wetland sites located inside the protected areas are not incorporated in this report. The team explored the following 13 wetland sites of lacustrine and palustrine types located in the Bhawar to Chure hills and prepared a comprehensive inventory. 1. Halkhoria Daha Halkhoria Daha is located in the Ratanpur VDC-1 & 2 of Bara District at an altitude of 160m. It is natural lake extends about 46 ha inside the dense tropical Sal mixed forest of Charkose Jhadi. It feeds by a Siran Khola, direct precipitation and seepages from adjoining Chure hills. It is an important waterhole including the wildlife of the Parsa Wildlife Reserve. The wetland is completely dried off. Siltation, succession, overgrazing, unsustainable harvesting of natural resources including NTFPs, forest fire, etc., are the major threats for the wetland. Renovation of the Daha and conservation of adjoining forest is urgent. 2. Baba Tal Baba Tal is situated in the Badaharamal VDC-2&3 of Siraha district at an altitude of 105m. It is a renovated wetland and has relatively a large open water body with small upstream wetland called Jordaha. It extends approximately 7 ha and is a good refuge of wildlife. Soil erosion, siltation/floods, invasive alien plant species etc., are the major threats of this wetland. It has been managed by the Jordaha Chure Community Forest User’s Group. Maintenance of runoff harvesting dam and capacity building of local User’s group are needed. 3. Kamal Daha Kamal Daha is located at Fulbaria VDC- 1&2 of Siraha district at an altitude of 140m. It extends about 7.5 ha and feeds by a permanent ground spring (Jaruwa) and seepages from hills. It has been managed by Ghurmi Dada Community Forest User’s Group. Human activities like swimming, bathing, washing can be contributed to pollute the lake environment. Besides, unsustainable harvesting of resources, agricultural runoff such as chemical fertilizers II and pesticides/ insecticides are the major threats for this wetland. Capacity building of local User’s is necessary for effective management of the wetland including local festival. 4. Devi Daha Devi Daha is a natural lake, situated at Taregana Govindapur-9 of Siraha district at an altitude of 115 m. The lake extends about 10 ha inside the Sal forest. Invasive alien plant species, unsustainable harvesting of natural resources, overgrazing, siltation, agricultural runoff, etc., are the major threats of this wetland. Removal of invasive alien species and capacity building of local User’s group to manage the wetland is necessary. 5. Pathru Daha Pathru Daha is located in Sitapur VDC of Saptari district at an altitude of 130m. The small pond of about 1 ha feeds by an inflow that originates from the Chure hills. It has been managed by the Pathrudaha Community Forest User’s Group. Soil erosion and landslide in upstream, siltation/floods, invasive alien species and over exploiting of resources, etc., are the major threats. Bio-engineering practice is applied to control the soil erosion and silts. Plantation useful plants like bamboos around the pond and removal invasive alien species are needed. 6. Jandaul Pokhari The Jandaul ponds are located in the Jandaul - 6 & 7, Saptari district at an altitude of 130m. A series of four ponds constructed along the Banaha Khola, the larger one is about one hectare. The ponds are created to trap sand and silts to protect the downstream agricultural land from siltation. Soil erosion, excessive growth of invasive alien species, uncontrolled grazing, overfishing, etc., are the major threats of the wetland. It has been managed by the Harina Chure Community Forest User’s Group. Mainstreaming the wetland in Forest Operational Plan is essential. 7. Kamal Daha Kamal Daha is a natural wetland located in the Kamalpur VDC of Saptari district at an altitude of 90m. The 3 ha large Daha lies amidst the Sal forest and agricultural land. A flood of 1987 degraded the lake filling with sand/ silt. It has been managed by the Grahmin Bikas Community Forest User’s Group. Rapid spread of invasive alien plant species, overgrazing, siltation, etc., are the major threats of the wetland. Maintenance, cleaning of invasive alien species and capacity building of local User’s group is needed. III 8. Bagh Jhora Wetland Bag Jhora wetland is situated in Indrapur VDC-1 of Morang district at an altitude of 140 m. It feeds by Kisti River and extends about 4.2 ha in the forest area. Major portion of the lake has been degraded due to siltation and invasion by alien plant species. The wetland has been managed by Bag Jhora Wetland Conservation and Promotion Committee. Maintenance, cleaning of invasive alien species and capacity building of local User’s group is needed. 9. Betani Daha Betani Daha is a natural wetland located in Urlabari VDC-7 of Morang district at an altitude of 120m. It extends about 3.3 ha inside Sal forest. It has both inflow and outflow. Major threats are invasive alien species, overgrazing, sedimentation, etc. It has been managed by the Betani Community Forest User’s Group. Maintenance of embankment, conservation of catchment area, removal of invasive alien species, and capacity strengthing of local User’s group is needed. 10. Hasina Simsar Hasina Simsar is natural wetland located in Sundarpur VDC-6, Morang district at an altitude of 125m. The wetland extends approx. 48 ha along with swamp, marsh, pond and streams. It feeds by 4-5 ground springs (Jaruwa). The Hasina Simsar Conservation Committee (a sub- committee of the Namuma Community Forest) is working for the restoration and sustainable conservation of this wetland. Major threats are overgrazing, sedimentation, encroachment, and invasive alien species. Maintenance, removal of invasive alien species, development of recreational center and strengthen the capacity of local User’s group are needed. 11. Raja Rani Pokhari The Raja Rani Pokhari, also called as ‘Raja Rani Dhimal Pokhari’ is one of the important wetland of Nepal. It is located north-west of Letang bazar in Bhogateni VDC-8 of Morang district at an altitude of 470m. There are three lakes namely Raja, Rani and Chhori (Rajkumari), located inside the forest along the Chure hills. The Raja Pokhari (king's pond) is located in the western side, the Rani Pokhari (queen's pond) in the eastern side, and the Chhori or Rajkumari along the north eastern side which is more degraded. This nearby settlement is dominated by Magar community.