Beeshazar Lake Conservation Project, Nepal

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Project ID

Project Title

Beeshazar Lake Conservation Project, Nepal

Type

Transboundary Waters

Focus Areas

Geographic Scope

Nepal, Asia & Pacific

Lead Organization(s)

UNDP

Project Partners

*UNDP

Financing

Total: $50,000;

Sources of Financing: GEF SGP

Timeframe

2008 - 2010

Status

Preparatory phase

Project website(s)

http://sgp.undp.org/web/projects/13150/beeshazar_lake_conservation_project.html

Contacts

Gopal Raj Sherchan [email protected]

Contents

Description

The Beeshazar Lake System (3200 ha) lies in Buffer zone of Chitwan National Park (World Heritage Site), Chitawan District. Declared as a Ramsar site in 2003, it holds a global significance in the conservation of endangered wildlife and others by providing excellent habitat including the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), endangered tiger (Panthera tigris), one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), vulnerable Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perpiscillata), Sloth Bear (Melaurus ursinus), Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptotilos javanicus), Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), and Band-tailed fish eagle (Haileetus leucoryphus). The Beeshazar lake system has finger-like projections with series of associated lakes, meadows, swamps and marshes present which is an intricate ecological system with a variety of physical, hydrological and vegetative characteristic. The main habitats within the lake system include, permanent and seasonal fresh water lakes; permanent and seasonal freshwater marshes and streams; freshwater swamp forests; seasonally flooded forests; grassland; terrestrial forest and irrigation canal. The terrestrial vegetation is dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta) forest. The prominent associated species include Myrobalan (Terminalia alata), Silk cotton (Bombax ceiba) and Bot Dhainyaro (Lagerstroemia parviflora). The aquatic vegetation is represented by extensive coverage of floating leafed species mainly water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Water Chestnut (Trapa bispinosa) followed by Evening Primrose (Ludwigia adscendens). The free floating species include Water Velvet (Azolla imbricata) and Duckweed (Lemna spp.).The abundant submerged species include Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and Water Nymph (Najas minor).


Pertinent issues to be addressed for sustainable conservation and management of wetlands in Beeshazar lake and associated wetlands include:

  • Degrading water recharging pockets and drainage system,
  • Increasing pollution as a result of waste disposal and dumping in the Khageri river bank and littering in Beeshazar, *Siltation,
  • Eutrophication,
  • Excessive growth of weeds,
  • Unsustainable harvesting of biological resources,
  • Over extraction of a biological resources, and
  • Poisoning of fish and birds and birds trapping.

The project aims to conserve the wetland by involving local community and also derive benefits from the wetland

Expected Outcomes

Achievements: Results and Impact

Lessons for Replication

TYPE LESSONS HERE

References

See also

  1. Local Initiatives for Wetlands and Biodiversity conservation, Nepal
  2. Crocodile and Turtle Conservation Project, Nepal
  3. Bottled Drinking Water Project in Dhalko (BDWPD)

External Resources

Attachments

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