Participatory conservation and sustainable use of Gaidahawa Lake, Rupandehi District.

Gaidahawa Lake and it’s adjoining habitat is an important site for globally threatened species such as Sarus Crane Grus Antigone, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, Indian Spotted Eagle Clanga hastata, Indian Eyed Turtle Morenia petersi and also serves as a habitat for  several species of resident and wintering birds. In the past 57 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, 20 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia and 20 Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos were observed in this lake (Underwood, 1980). All these species are uncommon in Nepal.

Gaidahawa Lake is adjoining to the community managed vulture restaurant, a successful vulture restoration site in Lumbini.

Himalayan Nature has conducted various activities for the wise use and initiating community stewardship approach for Gaidahawa Lake Conservation. These activities include the promotion of sustainable use of wetlands and their products by IGAs eg ecotourism activities, sustainable harvesting methods, guide training, bird watching training. In addition to this HN has conducted awareness programs on conservation of wetland resources and their wise use.

To restore the surrounding habitat for the large bird species including critically endangered vultures, we have planted few hundred Silk Cotton Bombax ceiba saplings around the lake.